Re:Rational discussion? (Score 3)

It's true that a lot of unfounded information gets circulated on the net. Even though we've mostly learned to disregard email concerning Little-Emily-With-Cancer's dying wishes, lots of us are still learning that we need to apply an extra level of scrutiny to even the mail services online. I think matters will sort out quite a bit as time goes by. Serious news media tend to filter out and become known for their reliability, even as the most atrocious gossip-mongers ooze their way to the lower end of the spectrum. While the net is still young, we readers will have to be alert. If we can't do that, we'll find ourselves in more situations like this business with Apple. There, the herd stampeded because very few stopped to consider the truth of the message. If Slashdot is going take responsibility for trying to avert such events, it will require a collective effort on the part of the readers to examine the sources of information we consume.

evano