In the next couple days / weeks / always, I’d like to remind people to check the sources and dates of articles they’re sharing/reblogging. Misinformation spreads via clickbait titles on disreputable/non-news sites, or old articles with relevant titles but out-of-date information.
This is, at best, extremely frustrating and at worst, very very dangerous. There are people out there, for whatever reason, who are taking advantage of public sentiment and creating false news stories that play to our worst fears. Every time you share a false news story, you make it less likely that people will believe the real ones that come after them.
Please check your sources. Don’t help spread misinformation.
It’s really heartening to see this post gaining as much traction as it has. So on that note, here’s a bonus anecdote:
When I was in elementary school and turning in my first writing assignments, my teacher asked to see me after class and said, “You’re not consistent about your periods and punctuations. You have to use those at the ends of sentences.” And I remember thinking distinctly, Really??? Like, every time??? That’s so hard to remember ugh
And then I eventually managed to adopt it as habit. I don’t have to think anymore before ending a sentence with punctuation. I mastered grammar and punctuation enough that I could even use it creatively, in ways that were fun.
My point is, for a lot of people, checking sources/dates on posts is not a habit. It’s an extra step you have to think about, and you can’t help the impulse of irritation that’s like, Really??? Like, every time??? Ughghghhhhhhghhh
But keep doing it – because it actually is the right way to approach information, and eventually it will become a habit that you don’t have to think about. Like this period I’m about to use. Except with bonus ‘yay being a responsible informed citizen’ feels.