Social Media and Truth.

For this week I will be discussing social media and its use of both research and what is true when it comes to social media.

1. Name one thing you learned using social media site today and explain why you believe it is true.

I believe that one of the most interesting thing that I have learned this week –via- social media is the identity of “Jack the Ripper”. I have always been interested in history, especially when it comes to issue like The Ripper and the Salem Witch Trials of 1690. One reason that I find this story interesting is that during the time there were no leads to the identity of the killer or reasoning behind the killings. According to the article the writer states that DNA was retrieved from a shawl that was left at one of the crime scenes leading to the identity (Writers, 2014 ). One issue that I have with this thesis of the identity is the idea of the shawl being left behind. All the readings that I have done and documentaries I have watched regarding this legend always said that there were no evidence ever left behind. The idea that evidence was left behind make it hard for me to believe this article completely. With the idea that the DNA was taken of the shawl brings another question to mind. The question of where they had DNA of the immigrant that they believe to The Ripper to make a match? With all that said I do believe that if they were able to get a sample of DNA then the case has been solved. If so then, for me, it has lost some of the magic in that the idea that these murders were done and no one know who the attacker was always fascinated me.

2. What source did you use to acquire this information? 

After first siting a post on my Facebook wall I clicked on the link and it took me to the Herald Sun website in which is where I read the report.

3. Are social media sites reliable for obtaining credible information?

I believe that the different social media sites can be a great tool to get different stories and be transported to more reliable sites. The use of social media as a tool is a great thing, but if using social media is your only tool for finding reliable and credible sources than that is where the problem lies. With this idea I am also aware that it is very easy to falsify a story on the different social media sites. As stated above, the use of social media sites in search of stories can be a great tool but generally causes more work than normal. When using a social media site the need to dive further into the story and make sure of the sources used is more important than ever. Another issue that can arise with using social media as your go-to for news is the ability to personally check the sources is limited. Take a local news story for instance, if I wanted to check something out personally I could. All I would have to do is just drive to the location and check for myself. As with the above story, if I wanted to check the sources or evidence I would have to traveling a lot further and currently do not have the time.

References

Writers, N. (2014 , September 7). DNA tests "prove" that Jack the Ripper was a Polish immigrant named Aaron Kosminski. Retrieved from Herald Sun: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/world/dna-tests-prove-that-jack-the-ripper-was-a-polish-immigrant-named-aaron-kosminski/story-fni0xs61-1227050842205?nk=d016626647cec73934266a95afd9182d