6 ms·

DuckDuckGo Cites Harry Potter Wiki as Explanation for Ringworm

27 points by netram88 6y ago

netram88 6y ago
Although this in itself is a minor issue, it shows that you can't put your trust in these kinds of automatic fact aggregators. (Screenshot link in case it is promptly fixed: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/773927790248329286/783062503739097178/ringworm.jpg https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/773927790248329286/78...))
- AdamSC1 6y ago
  FWIW - it isn't entirely wrong, the wiki says: "Ringworm is a disease caused by infection of the skin by fungus, appearing as scaly, ring-shaped patches." then it goes on to describe it in Harry Potter But yeah should be looked at!
- WarOnPrivacy 6y ago
  At least the placed ad (in your screenshot) is a good source for anyone looking to pick up some ringworm. Also I didn't know DDG had ads.
diogenesjunior 6y ago
All I got was that reading Harry Potter gives you Ringworm?
- jolmg 6y ago
  > Ringworm is a disease caused by infection of the skin by fungus, appearing as scaly, ring-shaped patches. Fergus Fungal Budge was a wizarding product that was used to treat the ringworm disease on the foot. More at Harry Potter Wiki
gumby 6y ago
I see Harry Potter in the box, but even worse, WebMD is the #1 organic suggestion and Healthline #2. CDC is #4, Mayo Clinic #3 With suggestions as bad as that I might as well use Google.
- bromuro 6y ago
  What’s wrong with these results? Are not trustworthy?
  - duckmysick 6y ago
    The first two are content farms optimized for reaching top organic search positions. They get most of their revenue from advertising and selling consumer services. The third one is an actual hospital and research facility. Most of their revenue comes from selling medical services. The fourth one is a federal agency with the budget set by the government.
    - johnisgood 6y ago
      What would you recommend? Medscape is good for medical stuff, but their news section is horrible.
  - gumby 6y ago
    Certainly the first two are not trustworthy and are sometimes dangerously wrong. Mayo’s advice is not bad but I think the government (CDC) is better ground truth, especially for public health issues like ringworm.
implying 6y ago
I noticed this last week, and submitted feedback. Looks like they didn't get around to fixing it

27 points by netram88 6y ago

Although this in itself is a minor issue, it shows that you can't put your trust in these kinds of automatic fact aggregators. (Screenshot link in case it is promptly fixed: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/773927790248329286/783062503739097178/ringworm.jpg https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/773927790248329286/78...))

AdamSC1 6y ago
FWIW - it isn't entirely wrong, the wiki says: "Ringworm is a disease caused by infection of the skin by fungus, appearing as scaly, ring-shaped patches." then it goes on to describe it in Harry Potter But yeah should be looked at!
WarOnPrivacy 6y ago
At least the placed ad (in your screenshot) is a good source for anyone looking to pick up some ringworm. Also I didn't know DDG had ads.

diogenesjunior 6y ago

All I got was that reading Harry Potter gives you Ringworm?

jolmg 6y ago
> Ringworm is a disease caused by infection of the skin by fungus, appearing as scaly, ring-shaped patches. Fergus Fungal Budge was a wizarding product that was used to treat the ringworm disease on the foot. More at Harry Potter Wiki

gumby 6y ago

I see Harry Potter in the box, but even worse, WebMD is the #1 organic suggestion and Healthline #2. CDC is #4, Mayo Clinic #3 With suggestions as bad as that I might as well use Google.

bromuro 6y ago
What’s wrong with these results? Are not trustworthy?
- duckmysick 6y ago
  The first two are content farms optimized for reaching top organic search positions. They get most of their revenue from advertising and selling consumer services. The third one is an actual hospital and research facility. Most of their revenue comes from selling medical services. The fourth one is a federal agency with the budget set by the government.
  - johnisgood 6y ago
    What would you recommend? Medscape is good for medical stuff, but their news section is horrible.
- gumby 6y ago
  Certainly the first two are not trustworthy and are sometimes dangerously wrong. Mayo’s advice is not bad but I think the government (CDC) is better ground truth, especially for public health issues like ringworm.

implying 6y ago

I noticed this last week, and submitted feedback. Looks like they didn't get around to fixing it