5 upvotes, 1 direct replies (showing 1)
View submission: Dear Internet Vigilantes and Lynch Mobs
This happens in real life as well. Some years ago in England there was mass hysteria over paedophiles, egged on by the gutter press. Can't remember why, maybe some girl had been snatched and murdered - there were a few that happened about then.
Anyway, during the mass hysteria the good folks in a housing estate (like a US housing project) in Portsmouth decided they had a paedophile in their midst. A lynch mob formed and the target had to leave his home and go into hiding. I seem to remember his place was vandalized.
Afterwards it was discovered the lynch mob had made a mistake. They had attacked a paediatrician. Someone had overheard something, assumed a paediatrician and a paedophile were the same thing, told someone else, it had snowballed. I shit you not.
Comment by ThemDangVidyaGames at 01/02/2011 at 22:53 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Well, people have an incredible capacity for stupid, so I can unfortunately believe you without much of a doubt. Also, sorry for the five-month reply.