‘Dad’s Ashes a Brick’ Post
A viral post on social media describes how a loved one’s cremated remains hardened into a brick-like mass, presenting a unique dilemma.
Viral Content
‘Iranian Censorship’ of Women’s Track and Field Competition Video
A viral Imgur post purportedly showed “Iranian TV censorship” of female athletes in a track and field competition, but it was suspiciously sourceless.
‘Two Altar Boys Arrested for Putting Weed in the Censer Burner’ Claim
A long-circulating article appeared to report that two altar boys were arrested for putting marijuana in an incense burner during a Christmas Eve Mass.
Teddy Roosevelt’s Bar Fight: ‘If I’ve Got to, I’ve Got to’
Sometimes historical facts in meme form are unreliable, but a story about the 26th United States president punching a cocky gunslinger comes from a fairly credible source.
Thomas Jefferson ‘Tyranny Is Defined as That Which Is Legal for the Government’ Quote
The American Founding Father and third United States president had a lot of pithy thoughts and catchy quotes, but this is not one of them.
Maurice Sendak: ‘He Saw It, He Liked It, He Ate It’
A charming anecdote about a small boy and an original Maurice Sendak illustration has been spotted around social media for years.
Were Cotton Feed Sacks Turned Into Clothing in the 1930s?
Social media rediscovered a famous photograph from 1939 — although this time around, it was presented as kindness rather than marketing.
‘Inside the Gills of a Whale Shark’
A purported photograph of the huge fish’s breathing organ went viral on Reddit and Imgur.
‘The Simpsons Predicted Greta Thunberg’ Meme
After the young environmental activist addressed the United Nations Climate Action Summit, memes claimed that The Simpsons had yet again “predicted” a similar scenario with an environmentally conscious Lisa.
‘Greenland’ Boat in Arctic Ice Picture
A highly-upvoted image shared to Reddit led to questions about the source and veracity of the photograph of a boat and arctic ice.