Spam is sometimes funny, but it's seldom intentionally funny. I haven't actually received any of the fake MSNBC breaking news alerts that everyone else seems to be getting, but it does make me wonder: Is this the first attempt to deploy a large-scale spam attack for the purpose of media satire?
Well, I just got one with the title "msnbc.com - BREAKING NEWS: And Now We Return To The Subject Of Jennifer Anistons Breasts"... so I'm going to say 'yes'.
posted by Tom at 4:53 AM on August 17, 2008 
I've been getting a ton of these. My favorites so far:
- msnbc.com - BREAKING NEWS: Damien Hirst pickles business manager
- msnbc.com - BREAKING NEWS: Iran Kicks America In The Nuts
- msnbc.com - BREAKING NEWS: McCain A 'GPS Black Hole' Say Scientists
- msnbc.com - BREAKING NEWS: Obese, Malodorous Boy Missing
posted by ross at 11:57 AM on August 17, 2008
I've always fantasized about buying spam software and an address database for the sole purpose of spamming humor... Original humor, preferably actually funny, even... not stupid chain letters or viral quotes that are more often than not misattributed, but real jokes.
Looks like this idea has been co-opted for the social engineering of phishing targets.
posted by bughunter at 7:49 PM on August 18, 2008
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