[slg]

"The lie has value because it feels true" is one of the more disturbing trends I have seen gain traction on the internet in recent years. People are now unironically turning themselves in the Stephen Colbert character from The Colbert Report[1].

[1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truthiness

[wand3r]

Yeah. I have noticed a disturbing amount of people believe fake stories, tweets, videos, propaganda etc. because it confirms their worldview or is otherwise fun. For example, the amount of people who thought dumb Republicans were dying from eating horse dewormer was way overblown. Or that Haitian immigrants were eating cats and dogs.

I have adopted an extremely skeptical view of almost all content on the internet now. Fun videos that are staged aren't particularly harmful. Something like "a crazy coincidence or wild prank" made to look real and genuine is not particularly sinister. I personally have briefly put way to much stock in a screenshot of a Tweet from an unattributed anonymous poster alleging X happened. Simply because "it feels true" and confirms my bias. Be careful out there kids!

[jljljl]

I think it is troubling to say “the lie has value”, but it is worth thinking why certain stories and hoaxes resonate. It’s similar to how sci-fi and horror can reflect the anxieties of their contemporary society

[SirChud]

[flagged]

[anonymars]

How about, "10-15 years ago such a scenario was completely implausible/impossible, and I find it disturbing that it is now completely plausible and possible"?

[mauricioc]

https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/aaaah

[_mlbt]

It’s funny you bring up Colbert on this topic. His own narrative of why his show was cancelled is a lie that felt true to his fans.

It felt good to martyr him and say that he was cancelled for saying truth to power against President Trump. The truth is that his show was losing $40 million a year and only had traction with viewers that were outside the target advertising demographics.