‘Three Thousand Year Old Statue Found in Cappadocia’
Posts about a purportedly ancient statue of an astronaut spread on Facebook and Reddit, but without substantiation.
2021
‘Hello, I’m a Dandelion’
Much like its subject’s seeds, a Dutch gardening enthusiast’s Facebook post quickly spread online.
Gas Shortage ‘Couple in Alabama’ Posts
People scolded one another about hoarding gas amid fears of a May 2021 fuel shortage.
CTV Calgary Chris Watts Stock Image
Screenshots suggested that CTV Calgary made an unfortunate choice in stock photographs, involving the Watts family in a segment unrelated to the tragic murders.
‘There Is No Such Thing as a Blue State, Only Blue Cities’ Tweet
A viral tweet demonstrates how easy it still is to get people to believe utter nonsense with out-of-context or wildly misapplied data.
‘Beauty Therapist Cuts Off Lashes After Client’s Card is Declined’ Story Goes Viral
A viral, updated tabloid tale about a beauty therapist cutting a client’s eyelashes off over a declined card looks like someone misunderstanding meme culture.
Is There a Gas Shortage in 2021?
Rumors of a current or imminent gas shortage spread on social media and by word of mouth.
Piute Reservoir ‘Fake Town in Utah … Like Truman Show Fake’
A bizarre story about a ‘fake town’ in Utah (possibly Piute Reservoir) enraptured social media.
A Labor Shortage in 2021? Viral ‘Signs’ Are Not Employment Data
Social media posts and images of signs about how no one wants to work are omnipresent, but low-wage jobs are not “competing with unemployment benefits.”
‘Traffic Reporter Meltdown on Live Television’
A viral video of ‘traffic reporter Anavid Reyes’ spread virally on social media platforms.