Sea Cats and Passports
Out-of-context images and posts about “sea cats” requiring passports spread across social media in the summer of 2021.
July 2021
Did Denzel Washington Say ‘Your Own Family’ Will Discredit You When You’re ‘Breaking Generational Curses’?
Once again, it looks like an observation apparently first made by a woman was later attributed to a famous man to make a quote more shareable.
Simone Biles, Kerri Strug, and ‘the Twisties’
Social media lauded Simone Biles and compared her to athletes like Kerri Strug and Elena Mukhina after her decision to pull out of the Olympics all-around gymnastics final.
Police Officers’ Testimony Refutes Right Wing Capitol Riot Disinformation
The claim that the right-wing mob “backs the blue” was exposed in a House committee meeting.
‘China Received 8 Months of Rain in Just 5 Days’ in July 2021
A terrifying viral photograph purportedly shows flooding in China caused by unprecedented levels of rain.
Bic’s ‘Martha and Snoop’ Ad
A purported advertisement for Bic lighters features both Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart describing a range of uses.
Banana Peel Water for Plants
A viral Facebook post advised the use of “banana peel water” or “banana peel tea” to grow impressively robust plants.
Does a Hospital in France Allow Terminal Patients to Meet With ‘Peyo the Horse’?
The story of “Doctor Peyo” and his work regularly recirculates, thanks to striking photographs — and the internet’s short memory.
Anatomy of an Inauthentically Organized Campaign
Disinformation campaigns depend on real-world events to offer an illusion of popularity for unpopular ideas, but they’re easy to spot when you know what to look for.
Rep. Jack Kimble: ‘I Find It Very Suspicious …’
Screenshots of a tweet purportedly speculating on why the virus only affects unvaccinated people spread virally on Facebook, but “Rep. Jack Kimble” has been around for quite a while.