Social Media, Rumors, and My Observations

It was a case of 'the rumor of my death was greatly exaggerated'.regarding the reports that Jeff Goldblum died last night. (I wanted to share my observations with you.)

I volunteered at a concert last night. Some of the concert goers were talking about how shocked they were to learn the news about Michael Jackson's death' yesterday.

Then someone came in saying they had just heard that actor, Jeff Goldblum had died in an accident. The response was interesting. Here is what I observed:

*Some took out their pda's and began to search for the true story.
*Some accepted the news as fact.
*Some immediately said this is a rumor, and dismissed it.
*Some said these things happen in three's, but they thought that Ed McMahon was the first, Farrah Fawcett 2nd, and Michael Jackson 3rd.

In recent days, social media was a source of news information in Iran, sharing videos from the protests. But in this case, the rumor mill went into overload. There will always be the need for legitimate news organizations, to filter through the debris, and deliver the facts of a story.

Here's what a search for 'Jeff Goldblum fall' revealed:

1. NZ police deny rumours of actor Goldblum death‎ - 10 hours ago WELLINGTON (AFP) — New Zealand police have denied rumours which spread via social websites that actor Jeff Goldblum had died in a fall while making a film ... AFP - 186 related articles »

2. Top Stories - Global Associated News

   Actor - Jeff Goldblum Falls To His Death In New Zealand. THIS STORY IS STILL DEVELOPING... Actor Jeff Goldblum died while filming a movie in New Zealand ...
   jeff.goldblum.mediafetcher.com/.../actor_new_zealand.php - 18 hours ago - Similar -

3. Jeff Goldblum Has Died, Falls to Death on Set!? - MoviesOnline

   Today is a dismal day for bad news. There is NO online confirmation but New Zealand Police are reporting that Jeff Goldblum has fallen to his death on...
   www.moviesonline.ca/movienews_16932.html - Similar -

4. Jeff Goldblum Too? Another Rumored Death | Manolith

   ... reports from a New Zealand newspaper - and lots of action on Twitter - actor Jeff Goldblum died early this morning after a fatal fall.
   www.manolith.com/.../jeff-goldblum-too-another-rumored-death/ - 17 hours ago - Similar -

5. Actor - Jeff Goldblum Falls To His Death In New Zealand (JEEZE, IT ...

   Jun 25, 2009 ... KEYWORDS: actor; enoughalready; fake; falls; false; fraud; goldblum; hoax; hoaxhoaxhoax; hollywood; jeff; lol; nottrue; oldbutfake ...
   www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2279610/posts - Similar -

6. Twitter / pam perry: Actor - Jeff Goldblum Fall ...

   Actor - Jeff Goldblum Falls To His Death / Top Stories - Global Associated News http://ff.im/4rVZC.
   twitter.com/pamperry/status/2338894900 - 5 hours ago - Similar -

7. Newsvine - Actor - Jeff Goldblum Falls To His Death In New Zealand ...

   Jun 25, 2009 ... Actor Jeff Goldblum died while filming a movie in New Zealand early this morning - June 25, 2009.
   ravenwing5910.newsvine.com/_.../2970068-actor-jeff-goldblum-falls-to-his-death-in-new-zealand-this-is-apparently-a-hoax - Similar -

8. Tom Cruise to Jeff Goldblum, Kauri Cliffs NZ Celebrity Death Hoax ...

   Jun 25, 2009 ... A quick search of "Jeff Goldblum dies," "Jeff GoldblumJeff Goldblum falls" from legitimate news sites yielded nothing, ...
   www.nowpublic.com/.../tom-cruise-jeff-goldblum-kauri-cliffs-nz-celebrity-death-hoax - Similar - dead" and "

9. snopes.com: 'Actor Killed in Fall from Cliff' Death Hoax

   Nov 16, 2006 ... A star actor was killed in a fall from a cliff while filming in ... "Jeff Goldblum, Harrison Ford Dead? Fake News Stories Make Dire Claims. ...
   www.snopes.com/inboxer/hoaxes/tomhanks.asp - Similar -

10. *HOAX* Jeff Goldblum Falls To His Death In New Zealand - Purse Forum

    15 posts - 11 authors - Last post: 15 hours ago

    it has NOT been confirmed but police reports from new zealand are saying he fell to his death while filming a movie.
    forum.purseblog.com/.../hoax-jeff-goldblum-falls-his-death-new-zealand-477665.html - 15 hours ago - Similar -

11. Another DEATH! Jeff Goldblum Has Died, Falls to Death on Set ...

    40 posts - 16 authors - Last post: 16 hours ago

    Jeff Goldblum Has Died, Falls to Death on Set! General Discussion. ... A story circulating that actor Jeff Goldblum has died falling off a cliff at Kauri ...
    goldismoney.info/forums/showthread.php?t=386220 - 16 hours ago - Similar -