Following the news of the wildfires in California, I saw a picture going viral on many social media platforms about the Hollywood sign being consumed by fire. I became curious and did further research, only to discover it was fake.
When real victims are involved, many might not receive the assistance they require, as attention, discussions, and interactions become misdirected to posts on online looking for engagements and people seeking to profit of the loss of others.
Interestingly, the picture had already gained traction online with millions of engagements before it was discovered to be fake. Even after the truth came out with people sharing live pictures of the Hollywood sign in real-time proof that the sign was safe, the counter posts did not do well with the traction and engagement relative to the earlier misformation. Too many posts had gone out, and opinions and hot takes had already happened based on a lie.
There is increased fear-mongering and false propaganda to push fear on social media and across all media platforms, happening in real-time. The level of anxiety and depression is sky-high. It creeps!
Cosmopolitan World and Misinformation
In today's interconnected world, the narratives we encounter online shape our beliefs and feelings more than ever. Sadly, we find ourselves in an era dominated by fear-mongering and the spread of misleading information. Once a platform for open dialogue, the digital landscape has turned into a battleground filled with misinformation and anxiety, overshadowing real issues.
In this era of social media, many people have found themselves in positions of undeniable power on platforms that allow them to influence how people exist—eat, breathe, dress, relate, think, and be. People have become like little gods because of social media following. Some already think they are invincible.
Even those who claim not to be influenced by others are still influenced in ways they refuse to see and admit. We have a situation in the world right now with many sheep. People are too busy swallowing narratives, hooks, lines, and sinkers without fact-checking anything. A skit for entertainment purposes triggers emotionally heated arguments with strangers. A hypothetical post about a situation that may not have happened can take a dangerous turn.
Supporters may engage in a dispute with someone on behalf of a celebrity simply because they feel connected to that celebrity and whatever they post online. As a result, they trust these individuals unconditionally. People have been silenced and bullied online just for opposing the crowd.
At times, you notice individuals already circulating false stories about the alleged death of a celebrity or a well-known person. When the celebrity steps forward to refute these claims, people quickly begin deleting their posts because it is clear that some of these stories, like the obituary, were untrue. Similar to the bogus "Hollywood sign" fire image, these fake obituary posts attract numerous RIP comments and interactions, unlike the truth, which doesn't get the same attention because few people return to verify the facts. They simply see the post, engage with it, move on, or even share it, thus spreading a falsehood.
This is the danger.
When a negative event occurs in one part of the world, you might become influenced by the propaganda of those with the most powerful and vocal platform, causing you to overlook the opposing perspective. This can lead you to be influenced by biased opinions, emotionally aligning yourself in a way that determines whom you consider a friend or an enemy.
People are picking sides based on half-truths and lies. You are choosing to call someone an enemy just by being swaggered by a manufactured truth or some engineered misinformation.
Negative news sells, and marketing and brand designs often incorporate our insecurities and fears more than our joys. More individuals are interested in reading about someone's struggles than their successes. In today's world, where dedication to delayed gratification and a slower lifestyle is declining, we unwittingly become participants and instruments of misinformation, which ultimately exacerbates our anxiety.
We live in times when people are not equipped to manage the complexity of life. The fear of letting go even when a relationship or thing no longer serves us.
Understand Fear Mongering
Fear-mongering is an age-old tactic used to manipulate populations. Throughout history, we have seen it employed by politicians and media alike to control the narrative and influence public behavior.
In our digital age, the stakes are even higher. For instance, 2020 studies from the Pew Research Center show that nearly 64% of Americans believe that false information has a significant impact on political decisions. The speed at which misinformation spreads online is staggering. Social media algorithms often favor eye-catching and sensational content, amplifying fears rather than promoting informed discussions.
I have lost track of how often i come across a WhatsApp post marked "forwarded too many times," featuring genuine photos of individuals paired with a completely fabricated story designed to stir emotions and boost engagement. Alternatively, you might encounter a deceptive AI-generated image accompanied by a true story.
This environment allows fear to flourish, causing people to overlook the complexities of important issues, pick sides, and justify very destructive agendas as long as they are not the ones at the receiving end. Imagine everything that happened in 2024. Instead of seeking to understand, many individuals resort to scapegoating, which only deepens societal divides.
Mechanics of Propaganda
Fear-mongering relies on different techniques to provoke anxiety and hostility.
Demonization: This involves portraying individuals or groups as threats through exaggerated claims. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, immigrants were often blamed for spreading the virus. Such narratives achieve the dangerous goal of building an “us versus them” mindset.
Emotional Appeals: Content that elicits fear, anger, or sadness can be strikingly effective in shaping public opinion. As research by the University of Pennsylvania indicates, emotionally charged content is 60% more likely to be shared than neutral posts.
Repetition: The more a false narrative is repeated, the more likely people are to accept it as truth. A 2020 study in Psychological Science highlighted that repeated exposure to misinformation significantly increases its credibility in people's minds.
Omission of Facts: Selectively sharing information can mislead individuals. For example, reports on crime often omit statistics that show declining crime rates, perpetuating fear rather than clarity.
The Impact of Fear Mongering on Society
The consequences of fear-mongering extend beyond personal beliefs, affecting entire communities.
Firstly, fear creates divides. Targeted hate can lead to isolation and division. For instance, during the immigration debates, misleading narratives fueled an uptick in hate crimes against Asian communities, increasing reports by over 149% according to the FBI.
Secondly, panic often leads to misguided actions. Individuals may support restrictive policies that threaten their freedoms. A 2021 survey revealed that 47% of voters believed that limiting the freedom of expression was justified in times of crisis.
Furthermore, the mental health implications are significant. Continuous exposure to fear-driven content heightens anxiety, affecting our overall societal well-being. The American Psychological Association reports that 79% of adults feel stressed by the news, which erodes trust in one another and fosters a pessimistic outlook.
Counteracting Fear Mongering, How?
So, now you are starting to realize that you might have been brainwashed and drawn into some form of psychological operation. How can you step back to reassess your experience and find a way out?
Educate Yourself: Make it a priority to verify information. Use reputable sources and engage critically with what you read. For instance, organizations like factcheck.org provide reliable fact-checking services that can help clarify misinformation.
Engage in Constructive Dialogue: Approach discussions with an open mind, especially with those holding different opinions. This can help reduce polarization and promote understanding.
Limit Information Exposure: Take breaks from the news and social media. Studies show that filtering out distressing information can significantly lower anxiety levels.
Support Responsible Journalism: Choose news outlets that emphasize factual reporting over sensationalism. Support platforms that prioritize journalistic integrity.
Prayer and Faith
Pray. As a Christian, I cannot stress this enough. That you have to believe in something bigger than this world to survive in this era we find ourselves in. Systems are falling; what has been established in the past as tried and trusted solutions are falling apart. Nobody seems to know anything. Leadership and political systems are in disarray. This is enough reason to hold fast and believe in the sufficiency of someone bigger than this world.
What is interesting is that the fear-mongering tactics are proving to be effective weapons for misformation, and folks are smiling to the bank just by milking your desperation and fear.
People actively try to project their hopelessness, emptiness, and fear onto others.
Guard the information you let into your mind. Guard your circle of influence like your destiny depends on it. Those people who have no space for God, faith, prayer, or believe in anything other than their skills, money, calculations, plans, and connections are coming to terms with the reality that human systems can fail.
No matter how perfect and sustainable they seem, regardless of how many times those ideologies that back them up are reinforced, systems do fail. This is something many people cannot come to terms with. Those things, beliefs, systems and empires that have remained unchallenged all these years and now meeting stiff opposition.
There is a limit to how much human effort and calculation can help you. No matter how many skills, and money connections you have, we are in an era where we can no longer just rely on humanity to save itself.
AND .....AI
Like that Hollywood picture today and many other fake celeb obituaries online which was AI-generated, you must check before you believe. Even when you trust the source and badly want to believe what is in front of you? still VERIFY..
Staying informed, empathetic, and engaged is crucial.
We must remain vigilant of the types of information we watch, hear, and engage with. Before you believe anything or further any information, be sure to fact-check.