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osewalrusRecently, a terrible challenge involving the image of a "chicken lady" -- the Momo Challenge -- has gone viral. This terrible image challenges gullible young children to acts of ever increasing violence and self-harm, culminating in murders and suicides.
Except not so much.
Turns out this is entirely an urban rumor which jumped to mainstream by way of local and national media. It is not children, but well meaning parents and adults, who turn out to be horribly gullible and manipulable.
Which rather demonstrates a point made by Yochai Benkler and others. "Fake news" that is purely internet based gets few takers. To catch on, it needs uptake in real media -- particularly Fox News and conservative talk radio.
This doesn't mean the conspiracy sites and YouTube videos have no negative effect. But it does suggest that a good deal of the fervor and ire is misplaced (and therefore leads to bad policy).
Except not so much.
Turns out this is entirely an urban rumor which jumped to mainstream by way of local and national media. It is not children, but well meaning parents and adults, who turn out to be horribly gullible and manipulable.
Which rather demonstrates a point made by Yochai Benkler and others. "Fake news" that is purely internet based gets few takers. To catch on, it needs uptake in real media -- particularly Fox News and conservative talk radio.
This doesn't mean the conspiracy sites and YouTube videos have no negative effect. But it does suggest that a good deal of the fervor and ire is misplaced (and therefore leads to bad policy).
