INTERNET MAY DESTABILIZE MINDS

One possible aspect of "earth changes" may be that mental health could be challenged, with some people becoming more vulnerable to destabilization. One possible source of this effect might be coming indirectly through the influence of the Internet. Information, the deterioration of the quality and accuracy of information, and the quick spread of information, may lead to unfortunate effects in those vulnerable to worry.

Writing in the magazine "The Futurist, Deborah Sawyer, president of Information Plus, a research-services firm, notes that the amount of false information is increasing on the Internet, including even hoaxes. She also notes that many people are losing their critical thinking skills and are more likely to accept false information, such as supposed computer viruses that weren't for real, and proposed government regulations that weren't actually being planned.

As we become more dependent on the Internet for our information, the more likely we will see panics in the future.

Sawyer advocates that the best way to protect yourself from the effects of false information that might be spread on the Internet is to use alternative sources of information,, looking to print and broadcast news for verification.