Version: 2008

Comments on: StopForwardingUs politely tells friends, relatives to stop sending 3-year-old viral videos

Service lets you send an anonymous, yet courteous message telling them to stop sending mass forwarded e-mails to friends, family members, and co-workers.

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by satayboy September 12, 2008 4:08 PM PDT
What makes you think Josh won't just forward it?
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by lacivi September 12, 2008 5:05 PM PDT
I like the concept, but I think it misses the mark a little bit. Specifically the part about "urban myths presented as truth." The bigger problem I find is that the people who forward these things actually believe the urban myths ARE true, not just "presented as true." I find that a reply-all with a snopes.com link discrediting the myth is the best remedy, albeit a little harsh on the sender. If this service could integrate in some troubleshooting tips on how to smoke out false info it might be more effective.
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by the_ricochet September 13, 2008 12:57 AM PDT
Yeah I think Snopes would do well to offer a service like this specifically for all the tired scare stories that I still see circulating.
by average joe tech September 13, 2008 12:09 PM PDT
I find that a less harsh way to do this is to send the true info with the snopes or hoaxbusters link just to the sender. No reason to embarrass them by sending the correction (and the fact that they forwarded something stupid) to EVERYBODY.
by Blackmere September 13, 2008 12:50 PM PDT
That depends on the myth. If it's something that is compelling enough (like a product warning) instead of just interesting, I reply to all with the link. I may be embarrassing but at least now everyone on the list knows it's not true and you may stop an exponential number of emails from being forwarded.

I'm not sure why you would use this service really. I just send a note that says, "I get enough spam from companies. I don't need it from my friends and family. If it's not a personal note to me from you, please don't send it. Thank you."
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by robertbruner September 15, 2008 11:40 AM PDT
I get this stuff from one of my relatives. I'm actually pleased that she is using a computer, and finding some enjoyment with sharing things that interest her. It only takes a second to move or delete these forwarded items that arrive daily. I really don't mind.
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by Magyarmima September 15, 2008 12:59 PM PDT
I agree with Robert... life's too short to worry about this, and hey, it keeps you informed about the latest urban myth!
What if you didn't know that Bill Cosby was running for President? Where would you be then? Thanks Aunt Myrtle!
by etiahwhite September 15, 2008 3:56 PM PDT
I hate fowards...I never open them...I tell people to not even bother cuz I will not open them. My mom and I used to share a computer and she does read them and as a result of one of those emails we got a nasty virus on the computer. I actually tell people to not even bother but lately I've noticed an increase in those messages from a friend...trust me I don't need a website to do my dirty work I'll tell her myself to knock it off.
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by zclayton2 September 17, 2008 11:15 AM PDT
The only ones that really bother me are the "forward this to at least XYZ other people or bad things will happen." I started sending back a note that simply said "Don't threaten me with bad luck any more. If you are shareing it cause I will like it, fine. But I don't like threats." I stopped getting those and still get the other stuff from the same people.
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