Social media is a firehose of bullshit, because its a firehose of everything.
Essential oils cure all diseases!
Sharks are swimming on Houstons freeways!
Okay, not really.
Heres why we see so much garbage on social media and what to do about it.
Theres a lot of bad advice, bad science, and bad logic out there.
Sharpen your pencils and take a seatBullshit Resistance School is in session.
Why Theres So Much Bullshit Out There
You see this stuff because someone shared it.
That means, to get traction, a lie has to be believable.
But what if you see the same story from another friend, one whos a little less out-there?
And from a third?
In fact,a Yale studyshowed that weremore likely to believe a fake headlineif weve seen it before.
Think of that group as the spark that ignites a wildfire.
Even if the fire doesnt catch at first, that small group keeps the bullshit burning.
Social media bullshit can start organically, as a group of people find each other and discuss their beliefs.
What you’re free to Do
Know that your friends trust you.
At least a little bit.
If you share a link or an idea, youre giving it a subtle endorsement.
(Yes, even if you have RTs are not endorsements in your bio.)
So, evaluate before you share.
Yes, I know, you dont have time to dig into every suspicious-looking tweet.
If its old but still worth sharing, check that to say so.
If its about a study, is there a link to the scientific paper?
Check it out.Check with the place thatwouldbe able to confirm the fact if it were true.
If theres an epidemic, the CDC should have a statement.
And those news stories would have a current date and appropriate sourcessee how this all works together?
And then youve helped make the world a less bullshitty place!
Think of this as the digital equivalent of picking up a candy wrapper on a hike.
