Did Public Assistance Programs Exist in the United States Before Social Security?
Claims that “our ancestors” who emigrated to the U.S. had no access to pensions or other types of aid when they arrived are ahistorical.
Is the Trump Administration Rewriting the Statue of Liberty’s Poem?
A number of headlines appeared to convince people that acting USCIS Director Ken Cuccinelli was literally replacing the plaque bearing the fabled sonnet on the Statue of Liberty.
A Million Seconds Ago Was July 24th, a Billion Seconds Ago Was 1988?
The difference between millionaires and billionaires may be poorly understood, but time-based analogies have inherent flaws, for a very good reason.
Did a Gallery Worker Mistake an Art Installation for Trash?
Social media gave new life, on at least two separate occasions, to the story of a $14,000 mishap in Italy.
Did Manhattanites Start a Petition to Change Part of 5th Avenue to ‘Barack Obama Avenue’?
A petition exists to rename Trump Tower’s portion of 5th Avenue after former U.S. President Barack Obama, but it doesn’t seem to be entirely by locals.
Are the ‘Epstein Gurney Photos’ Fake?
A popular conspiracy theory after the death of Jeffrey Epstein involved “gurney photos” in the news and claims that those photographs were fabricated.
Is Doc from ‘Fraggle Rock’ Also Doc from ‘Boondock Saints’?
A popular “today years old” meme noted that “Doc” from the wholesome “Fraggle Rock” was also “Doc” in the rather less wholesome action-thriller film, “The Boondock Saints.”
Did Cameras Malfunction in Prison the Night Jeffrey Epstein Died?
In a predictable pattern, social media claims led to media reports repeating those rumors which then strengthened those rumors in a feedback loop.
Did Netflix Really Cancel ‘The OA’?
News of the show’s cancellation after only two seasons was seen as a potential ruse by its fans.
Did Anne Frank Write that ‘Terrible Things’ Were Happening, Parents Taken While Children Were at School?
After an immigration raid in Mississippi left children crying in the streets looking for their parents, a quote attributed to Anne Frank about similar events appeared.