Zaheer Glass Glass 1

Prof. Lago
College writing 1100
April 21, 2014
Eat your vegetables
"Each year globally, about 14 million people learn they have cancer and 8 million people
die from the disease."(CDC). For someone to hear that the cure for this monster of a disease is
right under their nose (or rather, at their local produce store), can be a dream come true for many.
A rumors can make us fantasize about a miracle that is a cure for cancer.
Remember when parents used to tell you to 'eat your vegetables, they are good for you'? Well,
that may just be lifesaving advice. There is word that asparagus can not only reduce tumor size,
but can completely get rid of the disease. Also, the reported times it took for users of this so
called cure to regain their health, range from three months to a year. According to one story,
"After years of medical treatments, including radiation without improvement, he went on
asparagus. Within 3 months, examinations revealed that his bladder tumor had disappeared and
that his kidneys were normal."(Mikkelson) Users of this 'cure' can start to show improvement
within two to four weeks. According to one story, "Give the patient 4 full tablespoons twice
daily, morning and evening. Patients usually show some improvement in from 2-4
weeks."(Mikkelson) All it takes is asparagus and a few simple steps on how to cook it. This
seems very convenient. A simple and easy way to remember the process is what makes this a
good rumor, says Robert Knapp. "No successful rumor may exceed a length or complexity
greater than the memory span of the group through which it passes" (Knapp, 361). Knapp
explains that if the rumor is too complex to remember than it will not be effective or successful.
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Although simple and convincing, the numbers and times provided by personal accounts can
sometimes be deceiving, like Knapp says. Names, numbers, and places are typically the most
unstable components of any rumorsimilarly with respect to numbers, rumors are notoriously
capricious Knapp explains that numbers in rumors are untrustworthy because they can be
changed and altered, along with names and places.
A cure for cancer is something that many people wish for. According to psychologist,
Robert H. Knapp, this rumor could be classified as a Pipe-dream or Wish Rumor. "The Pipe-
dream or Wish Rumor. Such rumors express the wishes and hopes of those among they
circulate." (Knapp, 361). A supposed cure for cancer may have caught the attention of hopes and
wishes of the many families who are in any way affected by the disease; the simple fact that it
can bring them total satisfaction makes it very effective when the rumor circulates among them.
Knowing the many people who are affected by this disease, with no definite cure in sight could
make this a very successful rumor, says Knapp. The successful rumor, to thrive, must always
adapt itself to the immediate as well as to the traditional circumstances of the group; it must ride
the tide of current swings in public opinion and interest (Knapp, 362). Knapp notes that the
relativeness and relativity of the rumor must align with the current time and group for it to be
truly successful.
The mind blowing stories reported by users of this cure are backed by a seemingly reliable
source. According to this source, As a biochemist, I have made an extensive study of all aspects
of cancer, and all of the proposed cures. As a result, I am convinced that asparagus fits in better
with the latest theories about cancer (Mikkelson). Although there were no names given, the fact
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that the speaker claims to be a biochemist, his/her claim that asparagus fits in best with
theories about a cancer cure will give the rumor both prestige and appearance of veracity, like
Knapp says. "From whatever humble beginning a rumor may spring, it is soon attributed to a
high authoritative source. This gives the rumor both prestige and the appearance of
veracity"(Knapp, 362). Knapp notes that the rumor will be more trusted if it is approved by an
authoritative source.
Finally, the rumor not only has the ability to capture the minds of certain people, but also
the hearts of many, by touching on the good hearted side of people. Thus, allowing the rumor to
spread more effectively. "Please spread the news......the most unselfish act one can ever do is
paying forward all the kindness one has received even to the most undeserved person."
(Mikkelson). This characteristic of a rumor, Knapp says, is one of importance. "Rumors express
and gratify the emotional needs of the community in much the same way as day dreams and
fantasy fulfills the needs of the individual. For convenience of the nation, this importance aspect
of rumors will be called the 'expressive' characteristic (Knapp, 360). Knapp believes that an
effective rumor has to touch on the desires of an individual, much like a fantasy does. Although
no one is sure of this rumors validity, this is all what makes this a 'good' classical rumor in the
terms defined by Knapp.
The most effective rumors are ones that really connect with someone on a deep and
personal level. Rumors have the tendency to bring out the character of our inner most thoughts
and desires. Our desire for the gratification and sense of accomplishment for achieving those
dreams leads us to not only believe what we think is truth, but also, believe what we want to
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think is truth. This tendency to believe what we want to hear can lead us blindly astray into the
world of rumors.















Works Cited
Behrens, Laurence, Leonard J. Rosen. Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum. Upper Saddle River,
NJ: Pearson, 2013. Print.
Cancer Prevention and Control. Center For Disease Control. (2014. Web. 8 April 2014.
Mikkelson, Barbara. Stalk Talk. Snopes.com. (2014): n. pag. Web. 8 April 2014