Category: Misinformation 101

Just because a story is repeated does not make it true.

Firehose of falsehood, or firehosing, is a propaganda technique that aims to confuse and overwhelm the audience with continuous, rapid, and repetitive messaging over multiple platforms. The messaging is often false, or composed of half-truths and lacks consistency and objectivity (1).

This tactic is used by Russian president Vladimir Putin (1), U.S. president Donald Trump (2), but also by anti-vaccine groups to spread misinformation about vaccines (3).

It works because it uses a number of varied sources to spread its lies (4,5), as well as tapping into our needs for conformity (6). When you see something being shared by multiple sources, you are more likely to think it is true (1). With firehosing, the lies don’t even have to be believable because the goal is not to persuade, but to bombard people with so much information they become too overwhelmed to fact-check everything (3).

The best way to counter-attack firehosing is to be aware of the tactic (3), keep reporting false content to disrupt the disinformation’s flow (3), and share evidence-based information instead of getting into comment wars refuting misinformation (1).

Many thanks to Jordan Collver for collaborating with us on this project! Check out his work on his website (jordancollver.myportfolio.com) and on Twitter (@JordanCollver)

Do you know the difference between vertical and lateral reading? Fact-checkers use lateral reading because it is faster, more efficient, and less biased than vertical reading.

The SIFT method involves stopping, investigating the source, finding better coverage and tracing the information. We’ll summarize each point for you so you know how to SIFT.

Tip #1: After the website URL, you can add the name of the site you want to search on (e.g., Wikipedia) to find relevant pages more easily. 

Tip #2: In Google Chrome, right-click an image and select “Search with Google Lens” for a quick reverse image search (24). 

Remember, if you have doubts about the reliability of a source, if no other reputable media outlet is reporting the information or if you feel like something is wrong, it is best not to share it.

Would you like to know more about the SIFT method? Take a look at the CTRL-F website. You will find resources, educational materials, examples and activities to perfect your lateral reading technique. 

Wellness influencers often use misinformer tactics to make their claims more convincing. We’re breaking down 4 of the most common ones and how they work.

Which one do you see the most on social media? Let us know!

It’s never too late (or early) to revisit a classic, and just like memes, misinformation can go viral and stick in people’s minds. 

In fact, many humorous scenes from popular culture will make use of exaggerated behaviour and dialogue for comedic effect that ends up mirroring many common manipulation tactics and logical fallacies seen on social media. These can make us laugh when watching an obviously silly show and yet can subtly sway us in a more serious context. 

What do you think? What memes from popular shows or from popular culture seem to mirror some of the manipulation tactics, biases, and fallacies you see online?

We might not be showgirls, but we know misinformation all too well.

Here are the tools you’ll need that never go out of style and be fearless in your myth busting (ScienceUpFirst’s version)

• Empathy & listening skills: A great myth buster listens like they’re hearing it for the first time, opens respectful dialogue, and approaches others with empathy, even when you’re never ever getting back together on opinions.
• The pause button: One of the easiest ways to stop misinformation? Pause before you post and ask: “Is this true?” Because sometimes the best move is to shake it off.
• Red flag radar: Learn to spot misinformers’ tricks before they begin again. You’ll see the red flags flying around.
• Source-check savvy: Read past the headlines, check credibility, and consult multiple trusted sources, because you want to be sure you are out of the woods, so check it once, then check it twice.

See a harmful claim? If you can, speak now (politely) before it spreads.

Sound like you? Then you belong with me (and by me, we mean us). 🧡❤️‍🔥🧡❤️‍🔥

Five years ago, organizations throughout the world were making commitments to diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility (DIEA) (12). Today, there is a backlash towards DIEA policies, with many being rolled back (13). But these terms are often misrepresented and misunderstood. 

We break it down for you ☝️

Though some organizations are leaning away, our team is leaning in. Why? Because we know the evidence points towards teams being stronger and science working better when diverse perspectives are included (14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21).

Bonus Definitions 📝

• Bias: The conscious (explicit) or unconscious (implicit) opinion, preference, prejudice, or inclination formed without reasonable justification that prevents a balanced or even-handed judgement (6). 
• Stigma: Stigma is defined as negative attitudes, beliefs, or behaviours about or toward an individual or group of people because of a characteristic they share. Stigma can include stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination (22).

Share if you think these terms are getting a bad rap. 

A big thank you to IDEA-STEM (@idea_stem) and Ingenium’s (@ingeniumcanada) truth, reconciliation, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (TREDIA) team for reviewing this post.