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Fake News: Why We Fall for Untruths Online
The age of information has its pros and cons. While access to knowledge is at our fingertips, so too is a plethora of misleading stories and blatant falsehoods. The surprising bit? Many people tend to believe fake news on social media more often than not. But why?
The realm of social media is built on emotions. These platforms, like Facebook or Twitter, are designed to evoke feelings. Whether it’s joy from a cute cat video or anger from a controversial political post, our emotions drive our interactions. Mark Twain once quipped, “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” In the age of social media, this has never been truer.
A key aspect of this conundrum is our inherent desire for validation. When we come across a post that aligns with our views, we’re more likely to believe it, irrespective of its authenticity. This isn’t just an observation but is backed by stats. A study from MIT found that false news stories are 70% more likely to be retweeted than true stories. The reason? Fake news often taps into our existing beliefs and biases, making them all the more enticing.
Let me share an anecdote that drives this point home. My friend Sarah, a health enthusiast, came across a post on her…
