Did DC Comics ‘Make Superman Gay’?
In criticizing an announcement about the new Man of Steel, right-wing outlets tried to erase his identity.
Does Putting Fruit in Mason Jars Make It Last Longer?
A viral TikTok and attendant Facebook post claimed storing fruit in Mason jars makes it last longer.
NRCC Fundraising Text
A viral October 2021 National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) fundraising text accused recipients of having “abandoned Trump.”
‘If the United States Had Managed to Keep Its Covid Death Rate on Par with Canada, the U.S. Would Have About 467,000 Fewer Covid Deaths Today’
A screenshot offered a stark illustration of how much lower Canada’s COVID-19 mortality rate was versus the United States.
Tetris and Trauma
On October 11 2021, screenshots of a Twitter thread about the classic video puzzle game Tetris purportedly reducing trauma after distressing events spread all over platforms like Facebook and Imgur: Originally, Twitter account @jelenawoehr tweeted the commentary on October 7 2021: In subsequent threaded tweets, @jelenawoehr continued: “Literally SIXTY TWO PERCENT fewer intrusive memories after a …
‘Robin Test Footage’
On October 12 and 13 2021, a video titled “Robin Test Footage” spread across social media, often described as a scene from an in-the-works biopic: A top comment thread on the post to Reddit’s r/videos above encapsulated social media discussions about the clip, discussing the scene in the context of a potential film: “I don’t …
Ben Shapiro ‘Wife’s Bedroom’ Columbus Day Tweet
An October 11 2021 tweet featured a purported Twitter screenshot, which was attributed to Ben Shapiro and mentioned his “wife’s bedroom” and “Columbus Day”: In the screenshot (dated October 11 2021 at 4:50 PM), Shapiro purportedly said: My daughter woke me up this morning and asked me what day it was. I asked, “is it …
Email to Cancel a Wedding Contract
An October 11 2021 Facebook screenshot from a photographer named Tony Bendele — purportedly showing an email from a disgruntled bride and groom — spread virally when it was shared a day later to r/insanepeoplefacebook: The sender’s name and email address were redacted; Bendele’s was not. The email said: This email is to inform you …
‘Are You Concerned Someone You Know is Becoming Too Prepared?’ Facebook
A broadly recycled screenshot suggested that Facebook is serving “Are you concerned someone you know is becoming too prepared?” warnings to canning groups and preppers.
New Astrological Dates 2021 (and Ophiuchus)
Claims of “new astrological dates” have been spreading since at least 2011.