Some thoughts

[arvensis]

Hi all,
We've had a few topics recently along the lines of "Can you ID this and is it edible?" . What if someone on here mis-identifies a specimen and 'the poster' who decides to eat some then falls ill as a result?

What if 'the poster' decides to sue individuals or the WAB site? Ok, the chances are quite small but we do live now in somewhat of a compensation culture.

Thoughts please folks.

Mark

[bugbotherer]

Interesting.
If you are definative i.e 'it is this....' and it was not, then you would potentially be at risk. If however you put up something that went along the line of 'in my opinion it is most likely to be...... but I would need to view the specimen to be sure' then perhaps you would be a bit safer. It would all depend on if this site is percieved as expert in this area. It is also worth a note of caution in the fact that people can react differntly to consuming the 'same' fungus.

just some thoughts

[solus]

Well, I just want to be able to obtain a correct identification for my photos, or have one of you vastly more experienced and expert folks confirm that my tentative ideas are right (or not!)

I have no intention of eating any fungus I may find anywhere but in the supermarket!

[Bish]

Hi Arvensis,

You've raised a very good point there.
Before finding WAB I came across a Forum in the US, sorry but I didn't keep the link.
A lot of it was about various "recreational" fungus but there was a section on edibles.
I tried to get on it but had to go through a long list of rules and regulations about ID. They were covering themselves from the compensation culture.

I hate this notion that somebody is always resposible for what happens to.
This type of forum is about exchanging knowledge and ideas without any for of legal garantee

An idea to be submitted to the WAB site management

[Gladstone]

Doesn't the software agreement everyone accepts before joining say something along the lines of it's the hosts job to ensure safety etc but at the end of the day they cannot be blamed for missing things, thus its the individuals responsibility etc...

It all should be taken for informative purposes, by givng your view on what a mushroom is you are doing that; giving your view, it's the responsibility of the person with the fungus to do what is best. To be honest i hate the safety culture of the modern west; i will continue, on this forum and others and in real life to give my opinion when asked for it, if a legal challenge is made against me for doing that they i consider it not just my job, but my responsibility to fight that challenge on every level possible, as i fundementally disagree with it.

[Bish]

Well said Gladstone.

Q. Victoria

[colinaj]

I always leave a warning. Do not eat this unless youare 100 % sure of this species.
Omly a fool would take the word of someone thay do not know. Even us experts can make a mistake.

[arvensis]

Thanks for the comments so far, just to emphasise I am not taking a swipe at any individual but looking at the larger sphere of things. I will continue to try and identify species where possible.

I hate the compensation culture, next thing is people will be sueing somebody for them swallowing a fly!

Mark

[Chalk Downlanders]

There was a court case recently. Not sure whether UK or US. This case found the owners/management responsible for everything in the forum. In this particular case, I think it was for racial comments, but I'm sure the same would be for a mis-identification resulting in poisoning.
I also add "Never eat mushys unless from a supermarket".

Kev

[Bish]

Well if I understand correctly I'd better not say yummy mushies anymore