Issue 138 - September 2012 (1st Edition) - Page 5

'Science Guy' Bill Nye is NOT Dead

Outline
Messages circulating via social media posts claims that Science Guy Bill Nye has died.

Analysis
The rumours are untrue. Bill Nye is alive and well. In fact, he is currently receiving considerable attention after speaking out against the denial of evolution and the teaching of creationism in a recent YouTube video. The death rumours began circulating via Twitter but quickly spread to Facebook and other social media outlets. The false death rumours may have been started by malicious pranksters who objected to his stance on evolution.

Later versions, such as the Facebook example included below which calls for recipients to LMS ( Like My Status), appear to be lame attempts to amass likes and shares.

Such celebrity death rumours have become more and more common over recent years. Before spreading such rumours, it is wise to check the veracity of the death claims via a legitimate news outlet. If a well-known person has really died, then news about the death is sure to appear via news searches such as Google News.

Detailed analysis and references below example.

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Last updated: August 28, 2012
First published: August 28, 2012
Article written by Brett M. Christensen
About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer

Examples

R.I.P Bill Nye the Science Guy LMS if you Remember him

BILL NIE THE SCIENCE GUY DIED TODAY. );

References
Bill Nye 'The Science Guy' Hits Evolution Deniers
Bill Nye The Science Guy Not Dead, Despite Twitter Rumor
Celebrity Hoaxes

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