Zaheer Glass Glass 1

Prof. Lago
College writing 1100
April 9, 2014
Eat your vegetables
A rumor can either be your best friend, or an enemy that you never saw coming. "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. However, it can turn out to be a nightmare for
others. Rumors in today's society can be fuel for our fantasies.
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).
Glass 2
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.
The mind blowing stories reported by users of this cure are backed by a seemingly reliable
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. Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called histones,
which are believed to be active in controlling cell growth. For that reason, I believe
asparagus can be said to contain a substance that I call cell growth normalizer. That
accounts for its action on cancer and in acting as a general body tonic.(Mikkelson).
Although there were no names given, The fact that the speaker claims to be a biochemist will give the
rumor both prestige and appearance of veracity, says Robert Knapp. "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) 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.
Glass 3
"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).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 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