FAKE NEWS IS ON YOU
If you want to discredit something - make like Trump, point a finger and proclaim #fakenews in your social media of choice. Every day it feels like we’re susceptible to click bait and living in fear of being gullible. But why does it feel like there’s more fake news than ever before?
Fake news isn’t new news
Conspiracy theories, myths, old wives tales, opinions and Santa Claus. We’re surrounded by things that could sway our views and make us believe in something. This isn’t new, so why are we only now getting hot and bothered over it?
On average we spend 6 hours and 42 minutes online each day. That’s about a quarter of your life. And it’s not slowing down. Whether you choose to take a look or not, information is coming at you from every which way. It’s how you sort it that counts.
Why do you believe what you believe?
Here’s five theories on why you drink your own kool-aid, plus some suggestions for how to overcome fake news next time.
1. You’re lazy
You read a headline and move on. Mindless social scrolling is feeding your lazy mind. Without applying reasoning and critical thinking you’re not distinguishing between the truth and the dreaded fake news.
Next time, click through, read the full story and challenge it.
2. You’re a sheep
If everyone’s saying it, it must be true. When we see and hear something from lots of people and sources around us, we believe it, whether it’s true or not.
Next time, step outside your bubble and you might hear a different story.
3. You’re biased
Your mama gave it to you. Your parents, the community you grew up in and your religious beliefs shape your view on the world. We choose to believe news which validates that view and avoid those that question it.
Next time, put yourself in someone else’s shoes and have another think.
4. You’ve forgotten
The Mandela effect is where our brain misattributes a memory. You remember something, but that doesn’t mean it’s true. No, the Monopoly Man never had a monocle, Curious George never had a tail and Darth Vader never said “Luke, I am your father” (really, take a look).
Next time, check it once, check it twice.
5. You feel out of control
Mental gymnastics is something your brain does, searching for answers when you don’t feel in control. A few smart professors have said that we’ll be less inclined to believe fake news if we gain back control of our minds.
Next time, take the reins on your brain.
Shake it
As much as I’ve given you ammo to blame your parents for your preprogrammed beliefs, it’s really on you. It’s easy to get frustrated at the barrage of information (or misinformation) coming at us every day. But newsflash: it’s not going away. So, for our own sanity we need to learn how to sort the good from the goss. Fake news is on you.