A classic notion about advertising is that an annoying commercial can be more effective at selling a product than a positive bit about the same product. The assumption is that if you think, “I hate that stupid Alka Seltzer commercial,” the product name and image will be stuck in your mind so that when you are in the home remedies section of the store, it will come to mind if you are looking for an antacid.
And it has been demonstrated that simply reading an outlandish statement, even if immediately informed it is not true, causes many people to remember the statement because it is outlandish more than they will remember the minor detail that it is untrue.
I think that is one reason that a repeated and repeated lie takes on an aura of fact. So social media could have exactly that effect.
Apparently, some people are posting incriminating and damning things on the FBI’s official Facebook page about the Capital insurrection, and related things.
I’ve heard that you can tell people there are umpteen billions of stars (and galaxies) in the sky, and everyone will believe you; but put a sign saying “wet paint” on a park bench, and someone will have to touch it ‘JUST TO SEE’. Oh, and tell people they can’t do something – or be advised not to – and …
Never mind social media. Opening quote to the book Fossil Men is an Ethiopian proverb: A man has come; a quarrel will come. History of the human race in eight words. . .
Social Media can be used for good. Not everything on social media is a lie, just have to be careful. Even the internet can spread lies. And even Liberals lie (and anyone that says otherwise is lying)
Ever notice that it’s stupid if “THEY” do it but it’s an inspired idea if “WE” do it? Why that is the case, like the number of licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie-Pop, the world may never know.
The USA is made up of people who wanted to go somewhere else, to be with other people and do new things in new ways without leaving their culture, family, jobs and habits behind. No wonder we’re a bit mental.
Communications Decency Act Sec 230 does need to be rewritten. It currently works like permitting a business to give Molotov cocktails to arsonists and saying the business has no responsibility for any fires that result. (and no, children, “free speech” does not mean you get to post whatever you want on a any website).
I think the start of Social Media wasn’t when humans started to take dares – it was when we wanted to document it and share it with strangers for glory.
A feeble attempt to take this thread back to humor, probably: I read that Rudyard Kipling and his brother formed a club whose entrance qualification was to not think of a white elephant for one minute. No one ever qualified.Am I one of the only readers who come here… GoComics… to laugh or smile a little, as opposed to fuming about political views contrary to mine? Not that there’s much to do about it, except to avoid the comments sections, but I love the clever word-play and puns ones.
I never had the least amount of desire (or even thought) to do donuts on anyone’s lawn until I saw one of those “Drive like your kids live here” signs. I know it comes from a, “Don’t tell me what to do,” part of my brain, and I’m really happy it doesn’t trigger an uncontrollable desire.
eastern.woods.metal about 4 years ago
Wrong. That happened the day humans became sentient beings
Concretionist about 4 years ago
Yeah. I’m not sure what it is about social media, but they do seem to bring out the teen-ager mentality. Except when it’s even younger.
wiatr about 4 years ago
I so wanted to go out and buy Salmon Rushdie’s book when that faker Khomeini put a fatwa on him.
Say What Now‽ Premium Member about 4 years ago
Social media just spreads stupidity faster.
wallylm about 4 years ago
Who says Inception is difficult?
in.amongst about 4 years ago
Take a couple of steps forward and you will have fulfilled your wish for today.
mr_sherman Premium Member about 4 years ago
I see the cameras are ready to catch whatever happens.
jimmjonzz Premium Member about 4 years ago
A classic notion about advertising is that an annoying commercial can be more effective at selling a product than a positive bit about the same product. The assumption is that if you think, “I hate that stupid Alka Seltzer commercial,” the product name and image will be stuck in your mind so that when you are in the home remedies section of the store, it will come to mind if you are looking for an antacid.
And it has been demonstrated that simply reading an outlandish statement, even if immediately informed it is not true, causes many people to remember the statement because it is outlandish more than they will remember the minor detail that it is untrue.
I think that is one reason that a repeated and repeated lie takes on an aura of fact. So social media could have exactly that effect.
Vaccines are more dangerous than the disease!
Or, pick your own political conspiracy theory.
mikeyman about 4 years ago
It becomes anti-social media.
GiantShetlandPony about 4 years ago
Apparently, some people are posting incriminating and damning things on the FBI’s official Facebook page about the Capital insurrection, and related things.
William Bednar Premium Member about 4 years ago
Doesn’t his statement imply that he knows the difference?
keenanthelibrarian about 4 years ago
I’ve heard that you can tell people there are umpteen billions of stars (and galaxies) in the sky, and everyone will believe you; but put a sign saying “wet paint” on a park bench, and someone will have to touch it ‘JUST TO SEE’. Oh, and tell people they can’t do something – or be advised not to – and …
Lawrence.S about 4 years ago
And if you don’t have a friend around to post video of you doing something stupid/illegal make sure to take a selfie and post it yourself.
Chris about 4 years ago
And they can’t stop me either, Mwah ha ha ha ha! :D
Say What? Premium Member about 4 years ago
He wants to do something stupid because he likely believes he will get away with such behavior.
c141starlifter about 4 years ago
Sometimes when we get to the corner of “Walk & Don’t Walk”, doing something stupid just comes naturally.
1953Baby about 4 years ago
Never mind social media. Opening quote to the book Fossil Men is an Ethiopian proverb: A man has come; a quarrel will come. History of the human race in eight words. . .
ajr58(1) about 4 years ago
Hold my beer ….
admiree2 about 4 years ago
A sign like that should have a beer holder, as a mandatory part to be included when completed, so you don’t have to ask someone.
WGillete about 4 years ago
He needs a cat.
sandpiper about 4 years ago
Social media is a super-spreader medium. Contagious, dangerous, and almost always fatal to the IQ.
DavidSharp Premium Member about 4 years ago
Grammar police here: “Something” is just about acceptable on that sign, but ideally it should read “Don’t do anything stupid today.”
JosephShriver about 4 years ago
Social Media can be used for good. Not everything on social media is a lie, just have to be careful. Even the internet can spread lies. And even Liberals lie (and anyone that says otherwise is lying)
Bookworm about 4 years ago
Ever notice that it’s stupid if “THEY” do it but it’s an inspired idea if “WE” do it? Why that is the case, like the number of licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie-Pop, the world may never know.
petermerck about 4 years ago
Not doing stupid things would be the end of social media not the start.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member about 4 years ago
The USA is made up of people who wanted to go somewhere else, to be with other people and do new things in new ways without leaving their culture, family, jobs and habits behind. No wonder we’re a bit mental.
KevDoneIt about 4 years ago
Humans have always been sentient beings. Otherwise how could Adam name all the animals. Evolution is bunk.
Bendarling1 about 4 years ago
Sentience is not required for stupidity. Consider the juvenile mammoths of Hot Springs SD. Or juvenile males of our spieces.
Michael G. about 4 years ago
Walk down that dark and narrow alley over there!
patrickab7 about 4 years ago
No truth to the speculation that man’s first words were “Hey y’all, watch THIS”.
timinwsac Premium Member about 4 years ago
Right up there with the wet paint sign.
anomalous4 about 4 years ago
“Telling children not to put beans up their noses causes children to put beans up their noses.” ~my mom
mistercatworks about 4 years ago
Sometimes all it takes is lettering on a baseball cap.
Calvins Brother about 4 years ago
Wow, me too! Imagine that.
andersjg Premium Member about 4 years ago
There is one natural cure for stupidity…….
thelordthygod666 about 4 years ago
Communications Decency Act Sec 230 does need to be rewritten. It currently works like permitting a business to give Molotov cocktails to arsonists and saying the business has no responsibility for any fires that result. (and no, children, “free speech” does not mean you get to post whatever you want on a any website).
Thinkingblade about 4 years ago
I think the start of Social Media wasn’t when humans started to take dares – it was when we wanted to document it and share it with strangers for glory.
rstove428 Premium Member about 4 years ago
A feeble attempt to take this thread back to humor, probably: I read that Rudyard Kipling and his brother formed a club whose entrance qualification was to not think of a white elephant for one minute. No one ever qualified.Am I one of the only readers who come here… GoComics… to laugh or smile a little, as opposed to fuming about political views contrary to mine? Not that there’s much to do about it, except to avoid the comments sections, but I love the clever word-play and puns ones.
rlaker22j about 4 years ago
just remember Eve had all them feminine wiles
Diane in comics land Premium Member about 4 years ago
I never had the least amount of desire (or even thought) to do donuts on anyone’s lawn until I saw one of those “Drive like your kids live here” signs. I know it comes from a, “Don’t tell me what to do,” part of my brain, and I’m really happy it doesn’t trigger an uncontrollable desire.
ferddo about 4 years ago
Post first, worry about consequences later! And be prepared to blame your mistakes on others…
christelisbetty about 4 years ago
“Please don’t do something stupid today” Should be on a post-it note on EVERY ONE of OUR mirrors.
Tootsie Premium Member about 4 years ago
Reverse psychology¿ ( Perverse psychology )
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] about 4 years ago
Embrace the moron, die happy.
vjorgensen54 about 4 years ago
stupid is as stupid does.right forrest?
eastern.woods.metal about 4 years ago
Don’t we wish that mother Zuckberg had used birth control
cleokaya about 4 years ago
It seems like daily people are planning to do something stupid
eastern.woods.metal about 4 years ago
Given Kellyanne’s photo posting she should have paid attention to the sign
bakana about 4 years ago
Everyone hates obeying Orders.