Why are so many people asking so many stupid questions about us being in world war 3?

Ever sicne the bombing started on libya, i've read countless stupid questions about "are we in world war 3" or "is world war 3 gonna start soon?" Is somebody out there on some talk show spreading stupid rumors or are people just being stupid and/or paranoid? I don't think people understand what a world war is, and I definitely don't think people understand whats going on in the middle east right now, particularly in Libya