Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site decwrl.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!whuxlm!harpo!decvax!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-viking!wasser From: wasser@viking.DEC (John A. Wasser) Newsgroups: net.consumers Subject: Null statements... Message-ID: <2995@decwrl.UUCP> Date: Wed, 3-Jul-85 08:22:47 EDT Article-I.D.: decwrl.2995 Posted: Wed Jul 3 08:22:47 1985 Date-Received: Fri, 5-Jul-85 06:58:08 EDT Sender: daemon@decwrl.UUCP Organization: DEC Engineering Network Lines: 31 I would like to start a collection of "null statements", phrases and sentences that are used in product literature and have no information content. For example, I just bought a pair of sunglasses that promise: Eliminates Ultra Violet Rays in the visible spectrum. Since Ultraviolet is (by definition) outside the visible spectrum, this assurance is meaningless. Another example is: Made with all natural elements. This one could be a translation problem (something was translated as "elements" when it should have been "ingredients"). If you have any examples, please send them to me and I will summarize to net.consumers in a couple of weeks. -John A. Wasser Work address: ARPAnet: WASSER%VIKING.DEC@decwrl.ARPA Usenet: {allegra,Shasta,decvax}!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-viking!wasser Easynet: VIKING::WASSER Telephone: (617)486-2505 USPS: Digital Equipment Corp. Mail stop: LJO2/E4 30 Porter Rd Littleton, MA 01460