Granted I rarely agree with anything our President says, but he’s spot on when he coined the term, fake news. In fact, he tweets much of it himself, e.g. his adoration in El Paso and his explanation of Epstein’s hanging.

But this week, I’ve seen a plethora of fake news in social media: Denzel Washington Leaves the Democratic Party,  The CIA was responsible for the mass murders in El Paso and Dayton, and Global warming is not true.  Quite frankly, I’m appalled by the ignorance of many, whom seem to believe if it’s on the internet, it’s true.

OMG! Are these the folk who still believe the world is flat?  Do they believe this beauty product is going to make them young? Do they believe this toothpaste will restore their teeth? Advertising is all about selling, not factual information.  All of this reminds me of PT Barnum, the world’s greatest showman–there’s a sucker born every minute.

What is most frightening, though, is as the 2020 election draws near, more and more of these outrageous, non-factual, non-researched posts will flood social media. Foreign countries will influence with lunatic assertions.  People will believe it!

My heart breaks as an educator. I’ve failed.  Obviously, my colleagues and I didn’t teach fact vs. fiction.