The so-called Pacific Northwest tree octopus is well known in internet circles as one of the most significant hoaxes regarding online literacy challenges. Its artificiality is revealed by several factors. To begin with, the idea that an octopus lives in a tree on the coasts of Pacific North America is highly unrealistic because octopuses reside in water and do not have the required morphological features for living on trees. Another thing is that this site has no reliable sources, scientific documents, or trustworthy citations to indicate that such a being exists. A closer look at the site’s layout will confirm doubts that it lacks professionalism as it looks like something from an earlier epoch. Secondly, it has no acknowledgment nor approval from any prominent scientific organization or wild animal authority, which further undermines its authenticity. Essentially, evaluation of its content, scientific plausibility, and supporting evidence suggest that this is a manufactured rather than an authentic biological phenomenon. This illustration stresses the need for internet literacy to distinguish between facts and falsehoods among millions of sites that provide information.
The Dhmo website is one of the typical hoaxes that were developed with the intention to underscore the significance of being critical and scientifically literate. The site appears credible at first sight by displaying scary facts on DHAMO–a chemical name for water. However, there are many hints suggesting it is being used for satire. Reliable authorities, reference points and proven evidence for these disturbing accusations is one alarming sign. Besides, satires often make use of technically worded phrases that lose meaning unless appropriate contexts are provided. Finally, the skeptics are further provoked by the fact that the idea is not recognized by any reputable scientific organization or regulating authority. Thus, scrutiny of what is inside in combination with elementary science, will show how much water it is fake, underlining cautiousness as well as scientific education while surfing the net.
“All About Explorers” serves as an exemplary case of how it is vital to examine information obtained from the internet. On further observation, it then emerges out clearly that the site does not contain historical information. The use of false data regarding celebrated travelers and legendary occurrences as the main aspect of a fake character, which is one of the manifestations of its fictionality. Oftentimes, the personal details are either inflated or totally untrue, revealing an absence of literal truthfulness. Therefore, the lack of proper quotes, citations, and sources makes it more doubtful. In addition, there is an amateurish design of the site; the outdated look, as well as anything from reputable historical or education sources not mentioning it does not give this site credibility. One should use reliable sources to check if the site “ All About Explorers ” is false. Cite their references well and judge the trustworthiness, authority, ability and the expertise of the whole web page. The importance of media literacy is obvious for us in the contemporary world
Works Cited
“All about Explorers,” All About Explorers. https://www.allaboutexplorers.com/
“Save the Pacific Northwest tree octopus.” https://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/
“Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division – dihydrogen monoxide info.” https://www.dhmo.org/