The same sources spreading nonsense about the protests over George Floyd’s killing were the ones disseminating false claims about the pandemic. The contention is that roving gangs of anti-fascist protesters are causing disruption in towns and cities across the nation. As before, older Republican Trump-backers are relaying the nonsense. Those working for police reform must deal with the obstructive messages. (MIT Technology Review, June 10, 2020, by Joan Donovan)
Geoffrey A. Fowler of The Washington Post, June 5, 2020, writes that many intelligent people relay misinformation since it passes the plausibility test. He suggests following these steps. One, put on the brakes especially when you are moved by information. Two, check the source. Two.five, don’t trust cute things such as dogs waving American flags. Three, become an investigator. Four, correct the misinformation.
Take care not to relay posts that are bogus such as a widely shared photo of a McDonald’s on fire supposedly at the start of the Minneapolis protests but was actually from Pennsylvania four years ago. (The New York Times, June 13, 2020, by Pierre-Antoine Louis)