From Newsgroup: alt.obituaries

Every January, I go through death records from the previous year that
are in my data base with no cause of death listed, or a vague cause of
death, or an unspecific date of death. This year, for the first time,
Google AI is trying to help me. I would say that its accuracy rate is
about thirty percent, compared to the maybe eighty or eighty-five
percent accuracy of the first page of non-AI search results. He're the
most blatant error so far:

My search term: ""james dobson" cause of death"
Results below.

-----
AI Overview

Dr. James Dobson (founder of Focus on the Family) did not die; reports
of his death in August 2025 are incorrect, though his Wikipedia page
listed that date before being corrected, while actor Kevin Dobson
(Knots Landing) died in 2020 from an autoimmune deficiency.

Here's the clarification:

James Dobson (Focus on the Family Founder): He is still alive as of
early 2026, though a mistaken Wikipedia entry listed his death date as
August 21, 2025, which was later corrected.

Kevin Dobson (Actor): The actor known for Knots Landing passed away in
2020 from complications related to an autoimmune deficiency.
-----

Dobson did, in fact, die on 21 August 2025.

David Carson
--
Dead or Alive Data Base
http://www.doadb.com
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.obituaries

On Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:53:29 -0600, David Carson <davidc@wa-wd.com> wrote:

AI Overview
Dr. James Dobson (founder of Focus on the Family)

(using Tor Browser 15.0.3) https://duckduckgo.com/?q=james+dobson+colorado+springs+old+age+2025&ia=web&assist=true

James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, passed away in Colorado Springs
on August 21, 2025, at the age of 89. He was a prominent evangelical leader known
for his influence on family values and conservative politics. drjamesdobson.org
Wikipedia
James Dobson's Life and Legacy
Early Life and Career
James Dobson was born on April 21, 1936, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He became a >prominent child psychologist and founded Focus on the Family in 1977. This >organization aimed to provide guidance to Christian families and promote >traditional family values.
Influence and Achievements
Dobson was a significant figure in American conservative politics, especially >during the 1980s. He advised five U.S. presidents and was known for his strong >stances against abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. His radio program, which reached >millions, emphasized parenting and family issues from a biblical perspective. >Death and Legacy
James Dobson passed away on August 21, 2025, at the age of 89. He is remembered
as a leading voice in the evangelical community and a champion for family values.
His work influenced many aspects of American culture and politics, and he is >often referred to as one of the most impactful Christian leaders of his time. He
is survived by his wife, Shirley, and their two children.
drjamesdobson.org Wikipedia

[end quoted "search assist"]

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=mortality+statistics&ia=web&assist=true

Mortality statistics provide data on the number of deaths in a population, >including causes of death, death rates, and life expectancy. These statistics >help in understanding public health trends and the effectiveness of healthcare >systems. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Our World in Data >Overview of Mortality Statistics
Mortality statistics provide essential insights into the health of a population.
They include data on the number of deaths, causes of death, and life expectancy.
Key Mortality Data for the U.S.
Total Deaths and Rates
Total Number of Deaths (2023): 3,090,964
Death Rate: 922.9 deaths per 100,000 population
Life Expectancy: 78.4 years
Infant Mortality Rate: 5.60 deaths per 1,000 live births
Leading Causes of Death
Cause of Death Number of Deaths
Heart Disease 680,981
Cancer 613,352
Accidents (Unintentional Injuries) 222,698
Stroke (Cerebrovascular Diseases) 162,639
Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases 145,357
Alzheimer's Disease 114,034
Diabetes 95,190
Nephritis, Nephrotic Syndrome, and
Nephrosis 55,253
Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis 52,222
COVID-19 49,932
Trends in Mortality
Mortality statistics are crucial for tracking public health trends. They help >identify health challenges and inform policy decisions. The data is collected and
analyzed by health organizations to monitor changes over time and improve health
outcomes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wikipedia

[end quoted "search assist"]

duckduckgo's ai-assist usually works fairly well, depending on the subject (it's their planet, always expect mainstream results), "gigo" seems normal:

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=gigo+hammond+indiana+10+november+1957&ia=web&assist=true

The phrase "garbage in, garbage out" (GIGO) was first used in a 1957 article in
The Hammond Times, which discussed the work of Army mathematicians with early >computers, emphasizing that poor-quality input leads to faulty output. This >concept highlights the importance of accurate data in computing and decision- >making processes. Wikipedia wordhistories.net
Origin of GIGO
The phrase "garbage in, garbage out" (GIGO) was first used in a 1957 article >published in The Hammond Times, Indiana. This article discussed the work of U.S.
Army mathematicians with early computers. It highlighted that computers cannot >think independently and that poorly programmed inputs lead to incorrect outputs.
Historical Context
The concept of GIGO emphasizes the importance of input quality in computing. If
flawed or biased information is fed into a system, the output will also be >flawed. This principle is crucial in programming and data processing.
Notable Early References
1957: The first known use of GIGO appeared in The Hammond Times, where it was
mentioned in the context of military computing.
Charles Babbage: Earlier, in the 19th century, Babbage noted that incorrect
inputs would not yield correct results, laying the groundwork for the GIGO
principle.
This phrase has since become a common saying in various fields, illustrating the
necessity of accurate data for reliable outcomes.
Wikipedia Atlas Obscura

[end quoted "search assist"]

all dead people are saints (not mainstream, not popular, ai status quo):

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=all+dead+people+are+saints&ia=web&assist=true

Not all dead people are considered saints; in many religious traditions, a saint
is someone who has been recognized for their holiness and virtue, often through a
formal process. While every person in heaven is technically a saint, only those
canonized or recognized by the Church are referred to as "Saints" in a specific
sense. dio.org thebiblechurch.us
Understanding Saints and the Concept of Sainthood
Definition of a Saint
A saint is generally defined as a "holy one," someone set apart for God.
In Christian belief, every person in heaven is considered a saint, regardless
of whether they are canonized.
Are All Dead People Saints?
Not all deceased individuals are recognized as saints.
The Catholic Church officially recognizes certain individuals as saints
through a process called canonization, which requires evidence of miracles
attributed to them after death.
The State of Souls After Death
While the bodies of deceased individuals may be dead, their souls are believed
to live on.
Biblical references indicate that those who have died in faith are alive with
God, as seen in passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and Mark 12:26-27.
Intercession of Saints
Saints in heaven are thought to intercede for those on earth, praying for
their needs and concerns.
This belief is supported by scripture, such as Revelation 6:10, where martyrs
in heaven are depicted as praying to God.
Conclusion
In summary, while every person who has died is not automatically a saint, those
who are in heaven are considered saints. The Church recognizes specific >individuals as saints through canonization, while the souls of all believers are
believed to be alive with God.
dio.org epm.org

[end quoted "search assist"]

vanitas vanitatum (not mainstream, not popular, ai runs home to mamma):

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=vanitas+vanitatum&ia=web&assist=true

"Vanitas vanitatum" is a Latin phrase meaning "vanity of vanities," which >suggests that earthly life is ultimately empty and futile.
...

[end quoted "search assist"]

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2