URBAN LEGENDS

							  URBAN LEGENDS
• Have always been around
• Internet has magnified their
 influence
3 Types of Rumors that
emerge following a
catastrophe:
• Wish-fulfillment Rumors
• Bogey Rumors

• Wedge-driving Rumors
      Wish Fulfillment
• Old man "surfs" 80 stories
• Bin Laden dying of liver cancer
           Bogey
• Based on fear
• Anthrax attacks
• Satan in trade tower smoke
       Wedge-driving
• Based on hate
• 4,000 Jews didn't show up for work
• Arab gas-station attendants seen
  celebrating
  Why we believe them
• Looking for understanding /
  certainty
• Need for stability
• Need for happy ending