Last week, I logged into Facebook (let’s be real, my shiz is never ever not logged in), and was really really unpleasantly surprised to see that a few folks that I knew were posting the following to their Facebook timelines.
I kind of already knew that something sketchy was going on, because the description was in all caps, and the web address ended in a .wordpress.com, meaning that someone, possibly even someone like me, had published a big article, containing their opinions on cancer, but stating them as truth, a truth that they claimed had come directly from Johns Hopkins University.
I investigated further.
The article contained unsubstantiated claims, ranging from the fact that cancer was fed by sugar, to the super wild, that cancer was caused by nutritional deficiencies.
Firstly, a friend just lost her mother, and my parents, their friend, to cancer, and it was almost insulting to read claims from some random blog that stated that the cancer that she had suffered from was her fault, and due to a nutritional deficiency? Do you think that someone that has lost a parent, a sibling, or a friend to this disease really wants to hear it was their fault for eating too much sugar? Nope. And secondly, I was baffled at the fact that folks who seemed of normal to above-average intelligence, were circulating something that contained statements made in all-caps, not to mention, it was not in any way affiliated with Johns Hopkins.
So, just to be on the safe side folks, before posting, reposting, or circulating really incendiary info, check for a few things.
- From where, or from whom is the information claiming to circulate from? If it’s from a radio station, or from a Facebook group that has a sketchy or offensive name, chances are, it’s no good to circulate.
- Still not sure? Check to see if the info is coming from a .gov, a .org, or a .edu. If it’s coming from a personal blog, (even like the gorgeous and amazing one you’re reading right now,) chances are, Johns Hopkins didn’t circulate the info. If they did, they research institute in question should be cited clearly in the article.
- Are there racial slurs embedded within the article? How about typos? Grammatical errors? Don’t repost it, because it makes it look like you’re down with all or one of the above.
- And finally, if the information affects a large portion of the population and makes some outrageous claim (STUDY FINDS THAT ALL WOMEN ARE INCAPABLE OF READING) use the skills of critical thinking and discernment, and resist the urge to post it.
What’s the most weird/outrageous/ridiculous article you’ve seen circulated recently?
Overactive Blogger 
Completely agree! I lost my friend, Dani, to cancer in April. As I have always said, he was one of the fittest and healthiest people I knew. I read this article, too, thinking “I don’t think that’s true…” or “ummmm, no…”
Yep, I actually found that article really insulting and would appreciate it if people would check to see if something was legit before they splashed it all over social media like it’s truth.
Amen, sista! I work in the Health Information field and articles such as this just infuriate me. For every one step forward people take in finding good information, they seem to take three steps backward in reading garbage such as this. I am sorry for your loss. I have had family diagnosed with Cancer, but most are bouncing back and returning to a semi-normal life. It is just such a tough area.
Ughhhh these bs articles! I wish people would simply use their brains and decide if anything the article says even makes sense before they go reposting/retweeting this crap!