I wrote a story for WIRED News about how SMS is being used in Asia to spread information and disinformation about SARS.
According to several Hong Kong and Singapore residents, a “screw SARS” counterculture attitude is emerging among younger mobile-technology users, as evidenced in forwarded SMS jokes. In cities where most people on the street are wearing surgical masks, the simple act of not wearing a mask becomes an act of rebellion, according to Elliot. “‘I will breathe freely’ has become like smoking Death cigarettes,” he says.As SARS gallows humor is forwarded from cell phone to cell phone throughout the region, are “cough” ring tones next? “I don’t know … but it’s part of local culture to be playful with acronyms,” says Kim Lai. “In SMS jokes, SARS could stand for ‘Singapore Airlines Really Screwed’ or ‘Saddam’s Awesome Retaliation Strategy.'”
