Swine Flu and the Media Frenzy.....

Swine flu is most definitely the global medias' latest baby and they are feeding off it like a pack of wild dogs. Of course they are reporting facts but it's best to remember that the facts they choose and the manner they are reported are based on media coverage and viewing figures. Pandemic seems to be the favoured description. The genuine facts about swine flu just aren't so dramatic.

Here in the UK it is stated that there have been no reported fatalities from swine flu outside of Mexico. That doesn't mean people outside of Mexico haven't contracted it, it means no one has died. Certainly in this country the medical profession have clearly stated that people who contracted swine flu had very few problems; it really wasn't that serious. We have a natural immunity to it and fight it off easily. Besides they also state they have a huge stock pile of effective anti virus that is capable of treating millions of people.

It's not clear yet why people in Mexico died from the swine flu virus. Initial prognosis suggests it is most likely a different strain. Perhaps people in Mexico don't have as strong an immunity to flu or perhaps the virus mutated before it reached the US and Europe.

Either way the word pandemic isn't describing anything other than global flu and we've been here before. Bird flu fizzled out fairly quickly without too much trouble or incidence. The media are only doing their jobs but the genuine facts speak for themselves.

Google Set To Change Its Algorithm To Combat Spam

So it seems in some way the prediction was correct. Although not completely for the reasons I suggested a month or so ago about the number of scam and rip off style reviews, the reasons given are very similar. The official line is:

"to combat the spate of links leading to malicious web pages appearing at the top of Google’s search results"

How did I know this was coming? It was obvious wasn't it? Google are as notorious as Craigslist for the level of control they command over the way their web tools and sites are used. It's no bad thing either, continually levelling the playing field and removing the opportunities for scammers to propogate and thrive is in everyone's best interests. Especially those who rely on convential and honest methods of business promotion.

So keep your eye on the hill.....the monster is coming.....

I'll post further updates as more unfolds.