The power of fake news

     When told that her people were starving and had no bread to eat, a french royal was once said to have replied "Let them eat cake." Most people don't have to be told that this quote belongs to Marie-Antoinette, wife of King Louis XVI because it's common knowledge. 

     Many are surprised to learn that it is very unlikely she said this or anything like it at all. 

     While we are at it, George Washington didn't say "I cannot tell a lie" and P.T. Barnum didn't really say "There's a sucker born every minute," either. Though you will find plenty of people who will insist otherwise. These quotes are taught to be facts to the youngest schoolchildren and linger from one generation to the next. 

     It doesn't matter much to Marie-Antoinette now, "let them eat cake" may have been a rumor at first but Marie-Antoinette still lost her head, along with the heads of her entire family. 

     But 200 years later we are still teaching our children that Marie-Antoinette said "let them eat cake," even if she was quite kind to the poor and at times popular among the people. That's the power of fake news. It causes confusion in the moment. Sowing distrust and spawning more misinformation polluting all hope of rational discussion. No matter how many times it is addressed, people will still cite it as fact and find ways to work it into their current argument.  

     That's why we should strive to keep our information as fact based as possible. Always check and double check information before you repeat it. That goes for the latest juicy gossip about your neighbor as well as events on the national stage. 

     It is all to easy to start a rumor that will never die, so choose your information carefully. Take a few minutes to research and do try to keep your head!