August 04, 2009, 9:51 AM — Like many, many other Web sites and news outlets, ITworld last month reported that a defense contractor was building a robot that could replenish itself by devouring human corpses. Turns out that it isn't true, at all -- and the story of how the fake news item spread is itself an interesting look into how news travels on the Internet. The confusion began with a reporter's misunderstanding of the term "biomass."
[ via The Baltimore Sun ]
Amy Bennett is ITworld's managing editor. Follow her on 
Google+ and Twitter @atbennett
8 comments
6 comments
3 comments
3 comments
2 comments
FlimpVlad_YahP3C7ER has just joined ITworld
itcruld has just joined ITworld
adelphie has just joined ITworld
DariaJones12528 has just joined ITworld
ShojiitagakiXS_tw473572786 has just joined ITworld
jnaze shared iPad apps for book lovers on Email
Cube has just joined ITworld
Gerald Lau has just joined ITworld
ryanhellyer_tw14598449 has just joined ITworld
rasel2011 has just joined ITworld
Mark Cummuta shared IT pay: Premiums for IT skills drop as IT departments reorganize on Twitter
The white paper Guaranteeing 100% Backup Recovery was viewed
CorinaGraham has just joined ITworld
ITworld Answers helps you solve problems and share expertise. Ask a question or take a crack at answering the new questions below.
Join Now
today.
content
