Save the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus
02-14-2011 | 08:14 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Banned
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,942
From: Lake View Terrace, CA
Save the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus
http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/
Donald Leu, a researcher from the University of Connecticut, conducted a U.S. Department of Education-funded study of Internet literacy among so-called `digital natives', fabricating the tree octopus to test students' ability to evaluate information they find on the Internet.
Apparently a lot of students believed it, even when told that the whole thing was a big hoax.
Check out the FAQ.
Donald Leu, a researcher from the University of Connecticut, conducted a U.S. Department of Education-funded study of Internet literacy among so-called `digital natives', fabricating the tree octopus to test students' ability to evaluate information they find on the Internet.
Apparently a lot of students believed it, even when told that the whole thing was a big hoax.
Check out the FAQ.
02-14-2011 | 09:10 PM
#4
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,871
From: Phoenix, AZ
Do you intend to turn the ZPi website into a profitable e-business?
ZPi isn't about money, but rather the synergizing of empowerment with interpersonal paradigms and the wielding of initiative to innovate innovative innovations. I fear focusing on selling t-shirts and mugs would only get in the way.
hahahaha... innovate innovative innovations... oh man, that one gets a chuckle.
But seriously, I kind of want to know more about the study- like how old the participants were. And if I should believe it... wait... maybe the study is really a hoax to fool the people who don't believe the first hoax...
ZPi isn't about money, but rather the synergizing of empowerment with interpersonal paradigms and the wielding of initiative to innovate innovative innovations. I fear focusing on selling t-shirts and mugs would only get in the way.
hahahaha... innovate innovative innovations... oh man, that one gets a chuckle.
But seriously, I kind of want to know more about the study- like how old the participants were. And if I should believe it... wait... maybe the study is really a hoax to fool the people who don't believe the first hoax...
02-15-2011 | 08:04 AM
#5
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 320
I am just about a "digital native" having had a computer in my house since before I can remember and internet in the house since 14 yrs old. I read the conclusions to this study and I have a hard time believing that the "internet is making kids dumber", which is how this is being spun by the media.
Now I do agree that we all need to understand that not everything we read or see on the web is from a reliable source, and we need to teach kids (and adults) how to tell if a website is reliable, and how to cross-check information. But the internet is no different in that respect from other types of media where people get information. Edit: The following bolded text is a joke: Even old geezers like 8541Hawk huddled around the family radio when he was a kid, but how did he know that info was reliable? It often wasn't. Remember "Dewey defeats Truman? Ask 8541Hawk if you don't, because he remembers it like yesterday, although he doesn't remember what he ate for breakfast. At least the internet allows for quick cross-checking of info across multiple sites, and usually you can get to the source within a few clicks.
This whole "tree octopus" thing is being blown out of proportion by adults who are worried about threats to their kids (this time it's the big mean internet). There is a scare of some sort in every generation.
And these are kids. Is it really the internet's fault that they believed this crap? Would they have dismissed it if they read it in an encyclopedia instead? Or in the library? Or heard it from the town crier?
Edit: This is also a joke: Or like 8541Hawk, read it in a cave painting?
At least on the internet, if you type "tree octopus" into google, the third hit is wikipedia saying it's a hoax, followed by multiple articles talking about how it was a study on internet literacy.
And to be serious for a second, where did you get the information for your original post? Because I don't think it's a reliable source. As best I can find, Donald Leu did not "fabricate" the tree octopus story. This story has been around since 1998, originally created by Lyle Zapato. Dr. Leu used the website for his funded research, but he did not create the website or the idea of a tree octopus. I think you need to check your sources. Edit: The preceding paragraph was intended to point out what I considered to be a humorous error in your original post. It is humorous because the study presented in the original post is about the ability of children to discern between reliable and unreliable information on the internet, yet the post contains unreliable information.
Now I do agree that we all need to understand that not everything we read or see on the web is from a reliable source, and we need to teach kids (and adults) how to tell if a website is reliable, and how to cross-check information. But the internet is no different in that respect from other types of media where people get information. Edit: The following bolded text is a joke: Even old geezers like 8541Hawk huddled around the family radio when he was a kid, but how did he know that info was reliable? It often wasn't. Remember "Dewey defeats Truman? Ask 8541Hawk if you don't, because he remembers it like yesterday, although he doesn't remember what he ate for breakfast. At least the internet allows for quick cross-checking of info across multiple sites, and usually you can get to the source within a few clicks.
This whole "tree octopus" thing is being blown out of proportion by adults who are worried about threats to their kids (this time it's the big mean internet). There is a scare of some sort in every generation.
And these are kids. Is it really the internet's fault that they believed this crap? Would they have dismissed it if they read it in an encyclopedia instead? Or in the library? Or heard it from the town crier?
Edit: This is also a joke: Or like 8541Hawk, read it in a cave painting?
At least on the internet, if you type "tree octopus" into google, the third hit is wikipedia saying it's a hoax, followed by multiple articles talking about how it was a study on internet literacy.
And to be serious for a second, where did you get the information for your original post? Because I don't think it's a reliable source. As best I can find, Donald Leu did not "fabricate" the tree octopus story. This story has been around since 1998, originally created by Lyle Zapato. Dr. Leu used the website for his funded research, but he did not create the website or the idea of a tree octopus. I think you need to check your sources. Edit: The preceding paragraph was intended to point out what I considered to be a humorous error in your original post. It is humorous because the study presented in the original post is about the ability of children to discern between reliable and unreliable information on the internet, yet the post contains unreliable information.
Last edited by evines; 02-15-2011 at 11:12 AM. Reason: Edited to make my humor clearer to Marines over the age of 59.
02-15-2011 | 10:20 AM
#6
Thread Starter
Banned
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,942
From: Lake View Terrace, CA
Sounds like someone is a bit butt hurt over a little humor......
but hey throw a couple more childish insults around if it make you feel like a big adult.....
Have a nice day......
but hey throw a couple more childish insults around if it make you feel like a big adult.....
Have a nice day......
Last edited by 8541Hawk; 02-15-2011 at 10:38 AM.
02-15-2011 | 10:33 AM
#7
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,090
From: Big Lick
I put this together for my kids just to help out!
http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/tric...ee_octopus.pdf
http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/tric...ee_octopus.pdf
02-15-2011 | 11:10 AM
#9
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 320
I edited my original post to hopefully clear things up. No harm intended.
By the way, do you like Marine jokes? Because I can change them to Marine jokes if that would be funnier.
02-15-2011 | 11:27 AM
#10
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,707
From: Essex, UK
An interesting study as there are frighteningly many adults who believe in:
pseudoscience, conspiracy theories, rumor-mongering, anti-science propaganda, anti-government paranoia, evangelical religious propaganda, psychic nonsense, astrological nonsense, chemtrails, and unlimited delusionary earthquake prediction fanciers.
Scarily gathered in this US based forum under a dark rock where gullibility and ignorance is actively promoted.
http://www.earthboppin.net
pseudoscience, conspiracy theories, rumor-mongering, anti-science propaganda, anti-government paranoia, evangelical religious propaganda, psychic nonsense, astrological nonsense, chemtrails, and unlimited delusionary earthquake prediction fanciers.
Scarily gathered in this US based forum under a dark rock where gullibility and ignorance is actively promoted.
http://www.earthboppin.net
02-15-2011 | 12:09 PM
#12
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 530
From: Central Fl.
One of the things I am sure that get passed down from generation to generation is cynicism.
Yup, kids ain't stupid and can spot a lame survey from a mile away and are not above tweaking the response curve with less than honest replies. Expand that concept and one begins to doubt the veracity of any media poll. Mix that with questions worded to elicit desired responses then have it read by a bubble headed bleach blond and away we go.
Tree squids are next.
Yup, kids ain't stupid and can spot a lame survey from a mile away and are not above tweaking the response curve with less than honest replies. Expand that concept and one begins to doubt the veracity of any media poll. Mix that with questions worded to elicit desired responses then have it read by a bubble headed bleach blond and away we go.
Tree squids are next.
02-15-2011 | 12:25 PM
#13
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,707
From: Essex, UK
One of my favourite hoaxes was this one http://www.joeyskaggs.com/html/dog.html
Original letter http://www.joeyskaggs.com/html/doghook/dogltr.pdf
Kea So Joo,
a.k.a. Dog Meat Soup
May 1994, New York, New York
In May of 1994, Kim Yung Soo (a.k.a. Joey Skaggs), President of Kea So Joo, Inc. sent 1,500 letters to dog shelters around America soliciting all their unwanted dogs for $.10 a pound. The letter said in part, "Dog shelter kill million of dog, cost money...Dog shelter need money to operate. Where it get money? Hard to get money. Many people like to eat dog...Where do they get dog?...We buy all dog, regardless of size or color. We prefer big, young strong dog, but we take all dog from your dog shelter.
"Lot people eat dog...Dog is healthy for you...You make more money, more people happy. You get cleaner air. No burn up dog. No waste dog. People pet no disappear. Everybody happy...Dog no suffer. We have quick death for dog."
And so on, and so forth.
The outrage was palpable. Kea So Joo's telephone rang off the hook. The outgoing message, in both Korean and English, was punctuated by yapping dogs in the background. But it couldn't keep up with the incoming calls and faxes.
Original letter http://www.joeyskaggs.com/html/doghook/dogltr.pdf
Kea So Joo,
a.k.a. Dog Meat Soup
May 1994, New York, New York
In May of 1994, Kim Yung Soo (a.k.a. Joey Skaggs), President of Kea So Joo, Inc. sent 1,500 letters to dog shelters around America soliciting all their unwanted dogs for $.10 a pound. The letter said in part, "Dog shelter kill million of dog, cost money...Dog shelter need money to operate. Where it get money? Hard to get money. Many people like to eat dog...Where do they get dog?...We buy all dog, regardless of size or color. We prefer big, young strong dog, but we take all dog from your dog shelter.
"Lot people eat dog...Dog is healthy for you...You make more money, more people happy. You get cleaner air. No burn up dog. No waste dog. People pet no disappear. Everybody happy...Dog no suffer. We have quick death for dog."
And so on, and so forth.
The outrage was palpable. Kea So Joo's telephone rang off the hook. The outgoing message, in both Korean and English, was punctuated by yapping dogs in the background. But it couldn't keep up with the incoming calls and faxes.
02-15-2011 | 12:38 PM
#15
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,707
From: Essex, UK
Do cows lay eggs? Potato or Tomato?
A lot of kids can't identify basic foodstuffs as evidenced on UK chef Jamie Oliver going into schools (UK and USA) and having ID parades for common things like tomatoes, cauliflower, eggplant, beets and the kids not knowing what they were.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=bGYs4KS_djg
If all they know is prepackaged and processed then what hope have you got when confronted with a Tree Octopus face hugger
A lot of kids can't identify basic foodstuffs as evidenced on UK chef Jamie Oliver going into schools (UK and USA) and having ID parades for common things like tomatoes, cauliflower, eggplant, beets and the kids not knowing what they were.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=bGYs4KS_djg
If all they know is prepackaged and processed then what hope have you got when confronted with a Tree Octopus face hugger
One of the things I am sure that get passed down from generation to generation is cynicism.
Yup, kids ain't stupid and can spot a lame survey from a mile away and are not above tweaking the response curve with less than honest replies. Expand that concept and one begins to doubt the veracity of any media poll. Mix that with questions worded to elicit desired responses then have it read by a bubble headed bleach blond and away we go.
Tree squids are next.
Yup, kids ain't stupid and can spot a lame survey from a mile away and are not above tweaking the response curve with less than honest replies. Expand that concept and one begins to doubt the veracity of any media poll. Mix that with questions worded to elicit desired responses then have it read by a bubble headed bleach blond and away we go.
Tree squids are next.
02-15-2011 | 12:51 PM
#16
moto gp wannabe
Squid
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 55
From: oak harbor , wa
I saw this story on the local news-
the study was done with top level 4th graders i believe-
the point of the news story i saw was that "internet only"research is not enough, especially for students that should be getting taught the basics of research.
googling a topic is not research-
I thought this was a good story to tell - since I do live in the pacific NW and can swear to the extreme rarity of the tree octipus- (they are even harder to track down than a sasqautch,yeti,unicorn,dragon,or sea monsters.)
If you ever do have the oppurtunity to try some tree octipus i recomend dipping it in ranch dressing to help cover the nasty Pine tree taste and following it up with a draft beer.
the study was done with top level 4th graders i believe-
the point of the news story i saw was that "internet only"research is not enough, especially for students that should be getting taught the basics of research.
googling a topic is not research-
I thought this was a good story to tell - since I do live in the pacific NW and can swear to the extreme rarity of the tree octipus- (they are even harder to track down than a sasqautch,yeti,unicorn,dragon,or sea monsters.)
If you ever do have the oppurtunity to try some tree octipus i recomend dipping it in ranch dressing to help cover the nasty Pine tree taste and following it up with a draft beer.
02-15-2011 | 02:21 PM
#17
Thread Starter
Banned
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,942
From: Lake View Terrace, CA
*makes mental note that 8541Hawk does not like jokes about his age or semi-serious posts about studies involving tree octopusus*
I edited my original post to hopefully clear things up. No harm intended.
By the way, do you like Marine jokes? Because I can change them to Marine jokes if that would be funnier.
I edited my original post to hopefully clear things up. No harm intended.
By the way, do you like Marine jokes? Because I can change them to Marine jokes if that would be funnier.
*Also always hit the quote button when replying to evines as he will run back and change his post to try and make himself look better....
As for jokes about my age or the Corps, bring it on. Do you even know how old I actually am? Do you really think you can come up with a joke about the Corps I haven't heard?
02-15-2011 | 02:43 PM
#18
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,132
From: Phoenix, AZ
Though be careful Hawkrider is one too and may come for your thread count: https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=20962
02-15-2011 | 06:08 PM
#19
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 320
Well I can play that game also...... *makes note that evines takes stuff he reads here very personally and then instead of having a conversation on why he feels that way believes it is appropriate to personally attack the poster and when called on, claim it was all a joke......
*Also always hit the quote button when replying to evines as he will run back and change his post to try and make himself look better....
As for jokes about my age or the Corps, bring it on. Do you even know how old I actually am? Do you really think you can come up with a joke about the Corps I haven't heard?
*Also always hit the quote button when replying to evines as he will run back and change his post to try and make himself look better....
As for jokes about my age or the Corps, bring it on. Do you even know how old I actually am? Do you really think you can come up with a joke about the Corps I haven't heard?
And you are correct, I took this very personally. The tree octopus should not be taken lightly. This is an endangered species and I am personally offended when people call it a big hoax. You called me out, and I reacted by calling my obviously serious comments a joke. I am ashamed of myself, but even more, I am ashamed that I drew the attention of this thread away from the plight of the endangered tree octopus.
To correct this wrong I have done, I am accepting donations to my paypal account that will go directly to a University of Washington lab that is breeding the tree octopus in hopes of releasing them to their natural habitat and supporting their dwindling numbers. To make them more sexually appealing, they have genetically engineered the octopusus with extra long legs that are super toned and sexy. PM me if you are interested in donating.
02-15-2011 | 08:43 PM
#20
Thread Starter
Banned
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,942
From: Lake View Terrace, CA
To correct this wrong I have done, I am accepting donations to my paypal account that will go directly to a University of Washington lab that is breeding the tree octopus in hopes of releasing them to their natural habitat and supporting their dwindling numbers. To make them more sexually appealing, they have genetically engineered the octopusus with extra long legs that are super toned and sexy. PM me if you are interested in donating.
If you must give money to ease your conscience, donations to help the Tree Octopus should be given directly to the Tree Octopuses. Here is how to donate: Travel to the Olympic Peninsula (if you are a minor, ask your parents first). Stand in the Tree Octopuses' forest near a tree and hold out a dollar bill. If you stand still enough, eventually a Tree Octopus will come by on a branch, reach out, and take the bill with her suckers. She will continue to return for more bills as long as you hold them out, so bring lots of singles. She will use them to line her den in the trees, as the bills will soak up rain water and keep her skin moist. Given the current value of the dollar, this is the most cost effective way to help.
Please note: don't give them coins. While they are attracted to shiny objects and will gladly take coins, the toxic metals in coins (especially copper) can easily absorb into their skin and poison them. Paper money, checks, stock certificates, coupons, etc. are preferable and make better nesting material.
02-16-2011 | 12:11 AM
#21
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,451
From: San Clemente, CA
Not really, some neighborhoods no longer have a stray dog and cat problem...just sayin'.
After all, in some cultures it's forbidden to eat beef. In others, they eat what is available.
But I've tried octopus and whether they live in trees or not, it's like chewing on rubber.
After all, in some cultures it's forbidden to eat beef. In others, they eat what is available.
But I've tried octopus and whether they live in trees or not, it's like chewing on rubber.
02-16-2011 | 06:04 AM
#22
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 965
From: Asheville, North Carolina
Truely Humorous 8541HAWK, It is a good thing, us out of service marines "Have a sense of Humor".... There would be alot less childish civilians in the world....
02-16-2011 | 06:34 AM
#23
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 139
From: philadelphia
Not really, some neighborhoods no longer have a stray dog and cat problem...just sayin'.
After all, in some cultures it's forbidden to eat beef. In others, they eat what is available.
But I've tried octopus and whether they live in trees or not, it's like chewing on rubber.
After all, in some cultures it's forbidden to eat beef. In others, they eat what is available.
But I've tried octopus and whether they live in trees or not, it's like chewing on rubber.
You have to go to the right place to get non rubber octopus- if it tastes like the consistency of rubber- you pretty much got hosed- and octopus sushi is pretty tasty- not inner tube rubber at all- as for the tree octopus- i don't know if you can eat them or not- they seem pretty rare-
02-16-2011 | 08:35 AM
#24
Wrench Bender
Squid
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 96
From: Auburn, CA
Get ready for more and more of the "studies". Since we don't do much in this country to produce things of value, people start making up S#!t like this to get money. They even make sure they get enough to make donations to other scammers, oops, I meant researchers to keep them going to. The more people do something stupid, the more mainstream it is.
Why can't people just get a job that produces something worthwhile and go ride their Hawks!!!!?
Why can't people just get a job that produces something worthwhile and go ride their Hawks!!!!?
02-16-2011 | 11:45 AM
#25
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,451
From: San Clemente, CA
Since a good percentage of high school seniors in this country couldn't even point out the Great Lakes on a map, why should they doubt the existence of the endangered tree octopus.
And hey, new job opportunity...Our Government is now planning on giving a tax break to mothers who breast feed. The IRS will certainly need to hire people to monitor this new program.
And hey, new job opportunity...Our Government is now planning on giving a tax break to mothers who breast feed. The IRS will certainly need to hire people to monitor this new program.
Last edited by VTRsurfer; 02-16-2011 at 11:50 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
inderocker
Everything Else
11
05-14-2011 08:01 PM
