Of course, sports tend to motivate mob mentalities under normal circumstances anyway. When you include technology and free time, athletic message boards are a hotbed of activity. They are typically the same for every team, amateur and professional. Some people are optimistic, others are perpetually angry. When stating “facts,” a high The erroneous hint The ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW was, in my estimation, one of the all-time
spread like wildfire. Every father in town took their child to
percentage of people are incorrect and the low percentage of people who are accurate probably shouldn’t
great television shows. The life
see the man about some shoes, with
be posting what they know because
lessons taught by Andy, Opie, Barney
guitars, harmonicas and trombones
they are breaking the trust of whoever told them in the first place.
Fife, Aunt Bee, Floyd, Goober and
in tow. Each father left with a new
the other gloriously normal citizens of
pair of shoes and the confidence
Mayberry were classic.
their child would be receiving a call
One episode in particular stood
Part of the problem exists because anyone with an IPAD and an
from Hollywood as “a star was born.”
IOPINION
out to me recently. Andy had tried
The salesman set a company record
way as an official news outlet. So
to teach Aunt Bee about the pitfalls
for a single-day shoe sale total, and
the onus is on the viewer, CAVEAT
of gossip. Seems she and some of
Aunt Bee got her revenge. The men
LECTOR
the other ladies around town liked
of Mayberry got caught … the gossip
Just realize, message boards are
to “read between the lines” and even
circle was complete.
make up some stuff now and then.
MESSAGE BOARDS
can be viewed the same
(let the reader beware).
like David Letterman, Jay Leno, Bill are today’s
O’Reilly and Rush Limbaugh. Funny?
In retaliation, Aunt Bee decided
gossip circles. Even worse, people
Sometimes. Entertaining? Yes. Irritat-
to conduct a little experiment to see
(some of whom remain anonymous
ing? Typically.
how men might respond to their
for years) can put up, make up and
The last bastion of reliable,
own opportunity to spread rumors.
throw up any information they can
legitimate, responsible, objective
A shoe salesman was in town to, of
think up on a myriad of themes.
journalism? Not even close.
all things, sell shoes. Aunt Bee used
No topic is taboo, and there is no
the power of suggestion to prompt
shortage of nameless individuals
phrase for when someone was
Andy to believe the shoe salesman
who insist on commiserating and
stretching the truth or telling a white
might be a talent scout from LA
commenting.
82
Back in Mayberry, they used a
lie. Andy would say, “Son, he’s
looking for modern day American Idol
greenin’ you.” Well … in this case …
participants.
it’s ORANGE.
APRIL 2012
GO POKES!
KYLE WRAY VICE PRESIDENT ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT & MARKETING