There is no way to trace exactly what happened since the column appeared, but a few facts are known: Ms. Schmich, 43, a columnist for five years, had only read one Vonnegut novel, ''Cat's Cradle,'' and that was back in college. She said she certainly was not trying to imitate Mr. Vonnegut, even though many people have obviously thought that the imaginary commencement speech was close to his sweet-and-sour style:

''The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience,'' she wrote. ''I will dispense this advice now.''

She continued: ''Do one thing every day that scares you.

''Sing.

''Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

''Floss.''

She said she felt the column struck something ''true,'' and its sentiments seemed stamped with gold once the names of Mr. Vonnegut and M.I.T. were attached to it. There was something about it that made people with E-mail pass it along.

One of those was Barbara Reiss, a 32-year-old psychotherapist in Manhattan, who received it last Thursday. ''I have to say that I tend to get rid of those kinds of things really fast,'' she said. ''In this particular case, I thought it was poignant enough to forward to, I don't know, a whole lot of friends whom I believed would appreciate it.''

The column spread from one on-line community to the next, where it was regarded as, in Ms. Reiss's words, ''a very down-to-earth, practical, basic guide for living.'' As long as Mr. Vonnegut was believed to be the author, the Internet proved once again what people have said often -- that it can keep people in touch instantaneously, free and around the world.

''This is wonderful . . . just one more reason why EVERYBODY needs to read Vonnegut,'' wrote one discussion group fan who calls herself suzief.

But then, as word began to get around over the weekend that Mr. Vonnegut was not the author, the other perception of the Internet -- as unreliable hotbed of hoaxes and wild-eyed conspiracies -- took the fore.