10 Amazing facts you didn't know about the internet!!

       See how that misleading title made you click this link.  That is just the type of disingenuous nonsense that litters social media.  But since you have read this far, I will give you ten tips to not look like an idiot, online or elsewhere.

10.  If you see the terms "amazing", "incredible", "unbelievable", or anything like that, used in conjunction with: "Facts", "truths", etc. everything you are about to read is complete crap. (yes, including this)

9.  If the accompanying article appears to not be crap, in that they list sources; look at those sources, and see if they support the conclusion.

8.  It's the internet.  You are already online.  Search the items yourself.

7.  If the article seems legitimate, but has no source listed, it is inherently false.

6.  Use collegiate rules:  Wikipedia is not a source.

5.  When a genetically isolated group shows no signs of a particular disease, it IS NOT because of their diet.

4.  If a post says it was "verified by snopes"; click the link.  Either it won't work, or will take you to a site saying the story is false.

3.  If you are about to post something, and haven't checked that it is accurate, you are helping spread a lie.

2.  There is nothing, aside from eating less and exercising, that will make you thinner.  That doesn't always work, either.

1.  Listen to your mother.  Just because everyone else is posting illogical, non-factual BS, doesn't mean you have to.

Bonus: Coconut oil is tasty, and solid at room temperature.  It will not cure anything, make you lose weight, or save the planet.  It will make a very tasty filipino garlic rice, and excellent popcorn.

If you have to say it...

       In life there are many things that need to be said.  "Excuse me", to someone with no situational awareness, "I love you" to your family, "I'm not going to tell you again" has a host of uses.  The point is there are things that need saying, and things you need to say, and there is a difference.  

       "I'm mature"  is never true if you have to say it.  Likewise, if you have to tell someone how tough you are; you aren't.  If you need to remind someone of how respected you are; sorry, you aren't.  If you mention to someone how "enlightened" you are, you clearly don't understand what the word means.  

       The same holds true for spreading your personal beliefs (manure), and yes, I am fully aware that I am doing exactly that, right now.  I am referring more to folks like the evangelical atheist.  The preachy vegan, telling you how wrong it is to eat meat, or use animal products; is completely unaware that they are not convincing anyone, and that the loudest voice is least convincing.  "Christians", you know the ones, they can't pray inside, where only God can see them; are the same as the preachy vegans.  

       One of my favorite points where speech is in direct contradiction to reality has to be "You deserve happiness".  (or a new car, home loan, etc.)  No one deserves anything, unless they have committed a crime.  Almost any encouraging words we have for each other stand with one foot in "lie", and the other in "truth".  Kid Rock had the right of it:  "You get what you put in, and people get what they deserve.

       I will end by letting you know the ugliest of truths you will have to face.  When you need to post, each day, how you are thankful for something just because its November; you are not thankful.  By your need to say you are, you are screaming that you are not.