A New war of the worlds trick.

[NavelTickler75]

Does anyone think they could duplicate this and cause the same amount of panic they did nearly seventy years ago?

I think it MIGHT be possible, but you'd have to do it with the radio, television, internet, and newspaper.

To be honest they didn't try to make it a hoax. I've listened to it, and it was announced at the beginning it was a play. The whole problem was most listeners tuned in AFTER the fact, and did not stay by the radio to realize that it WAS a play.

 

[SlaverTickler]

Does anyone think they could duplicate this and cause the same amount of panic they did nearly seventy years ago?

I think it MIGHT be possible, but you'd have to do it with the radio, television, internet, and newspaper.

You've got to be kidding right?

 

[NavelTickler75]

You've got to be kidding right?

No I am not.
Note I said they MIGHT pull it off. However as its illegal to do a fake broadcast i don't think they'd do it.

 

[AffectionateDan]

See, but the first problem I come up with is that today, they wouldn't call it a "hoax", they'd call it "domestic terrorism" and the perpetrator(s) would be doing at least a little time in the pokey while the powers that be decided their fate.

 

[NavelTickler75]

See, but the first problem I come up with is that today, they wouldn't call it a "hoax", they'd call it "domestic terrorism" and the perpetrator(s) would be doing at least a little time in the pokey while the powers that be decided their fate.

LOL true fact though.

 

[Papabear]

Being part of Homeland Security any attempt at this would upset and piss me off. We have enough to do without someone making stuff up just to scare people. If some of you knew the truth about our vulnerability it would scare you quite enough.

 

[NavelTickler75]

Being part of Homeland Security any attempt at this would upset and piss me off. We have enough to do without someone making stuff up just to scare people. If some of you knew the truth about our vulnerability it would scare you quite enough.

Very true

 

[Redmage]

I don't think it would work. Maybe in theory, but not in practice. For one thing people have less faith in the media now than they did then. And they're more cynical about everything they view, because they know what can be done with special effects. Heck, when I saw the 9-11 attacks on TV I briefly wondered if it was a hoax.

Another problem would be getting it everywhere at once. Even if the government could get every radio and TV network to broadcast such a thing they'd still have trouble with the internet.

Last but not least: cell phones. The first thing most people would do would be to call people they knew near the alleged disaster to make sure they were all right. As it became clear that there was no disaster any panic would fade quickly.

I think the world is just too small for this to work any longer.

 

[NavelTickler75]

Heck, when I saw the 9-11 attacks on TV I briefly wondered if it was a hoax.

A lot of people did.

Even if the government could get every radio and TV network to broadcast such a thing they'd still have trouble with the internet.

Good point, that’s what I felt too.

Last but not least: cell phones

Good point. *Hello, Mom? Is everything okay?*

*Son what’s wrong? You sound worried!*

*Mom New York is under attack by Martians, of course I’m worried! There’s tripods near your house!*

*uneasy pause*

*Johnny are you hitting the pot again?!* LOL

No, as interesting as it MIGHT be, I don't see it working either.