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.
‘Catholic Leader Who Wanted to Deny Biden Communion Resigns After Caught Using Gay Dating App’
What appeared to be an object lesson on judging people circulated in the form of a claim that a prominent clergyman sought to deny U.S. President Joe Biden communion — and was later caught using dating apps.
‘Doc and Marty Made it to 2021’
A popular Imgur post referenced Back to the Future, but that photograph of “Doc and Marty” was from 2020.
‘In the Cayman Islands, There Is a Modest Five-Story Building That Is Home to 18,857 Companies’
Figures in an Imgur post about a Cayman Islands tax shelter housing 18,857 companies have circulated for quite a while.
Abraham Lincoln and the Samurai Fax Machine
A popular post claimed that “there was a 22 year window in which a samurai could have sent a fax to Abraham Lincoln.”
Snapchat Plant Identifier
A viral Facebook post claimed that Snapchat has the ability to identify not just plants, but also dog breeds.
‘This Wenche Thikke’
A number of social media posts referenced a “thikke” quote from the historic Canterbury Tales.
Rep. Matt Gaetz Says if Democrats Pass Voting Bill, Republicans Will ‘Never Win Another Election’
A popular July 18 2021 Facebook meme appeared to conflate Gaetz’s 2020 comments with 2021 discourse over the “For the People Act.”