Fake News: Spot It Before Sharing (2)

[Click here for Part 1]

Welcome back!  Wondering how to spot fake news?  These 10 simple signs will help.  Don’t let misinformation go viral because of you!

Poor Language:  “New taxplayer rules. Follow or face actions!”  Sloppy grammar, spelling or phrasing screams 'fake'.  Trusted news is polished.

Too Good to Be True:  “Tomatoes cure diabetes!”  COVID sparked “miracle cures” like cow urine, often harmful.  Real solutions aren’t simple.

Unseen Sources:  “Govt waives farmer loans!” A 2023 viral claim had no official source.  No proof?  Trust your doubts.

Unverified Claims:  “Experts say 5G spreads COVID.”  Which experts?  No data?  Demand proof.

Emotional Triggers:  “Child traffickers in your city!”  Fake forwards sparked lynchings in 2017.  Real news informs, not incites.

Recycled Stories:  “Lion mauls tourist in Gir Forest!”  A 2023 post reused a 2015 Thailand image.  Check dates.

Morphed Images:  “Free rice scheme” poster in 2023.  Google Lens revealed a fake, altered image.  Verify visuals.

Clickbait Urgency:  “Onion prices hit ₹200/kg!”  A 2022 post urged instant sharing.  Later debunked as outdated.  Urgency means fake.

Common Sense Test:  “Chips in Rs 2000 notes track you!”  Does it sound practical?  Don't be gullible! 

Partisan Bias:  "Detergent in milk. Boycott now."   Before you believe, search ‘FSSAI + [brand name]’.  Seek facts, not rants.

Final Tip:  Read between the lines.  Spot agendas.  Use Alt News, Boom, or Snopes to fact-check.  Don’t get fooled!  

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News is sacred. Views are venomous.

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Fond of Fake News? Find Them Irresistible? (Part 1)

We’d never buy a car without a test drive.  Then, why are we “buying” news without checking it first?  Let's explore:

🕶️ THE SKIMMING SYNDROME

Most of us just glance at headlines.  A Reuters study (2018) says 60% read, only headlines - yet 80% feel, "informed." We treat news like background noise.

⏰ THE SPEED TRAP

Fake news travels 70% faster than real news (MIT, 2018).  We share it quickly because we are excited.  Our fingers move faster than our brains.

🧠 THE EMOTIONAL OVERRIDE

Logic takes a backseat when emotions kick in.  Claims "too good to be true", spread 4× faster (Journal of Experimental Psychology, 2023).  The brain loves a quick thrill - and skips checking facts.

🔍 THE VERIFICATION VACUUM

Only 12% of us check sources before sharing (Columbia University, 2022).  It's speed over accuracy.  Be first, rather than right. 

📯 EAGER FOR CREDIBILITY

If a post agrees with what we believe, we’re 4× more likely to share it (Nature Human Behaviour, 2023).  We want to feel right, even if we’re wrong.

🌊 THE RIPPLE EFFECT

Each share, boosts fake news' perceived credibility (PNAS 2018, Social Amplification Study).  We are less critical of friends’ posts, and no questions - we just forward them.

 

THE 10-SECOND SOLUTION

Ask, before sharing: "Do I care more about,  being right or feeling right?  Am I informing or misleading?"  Hold for at least 10 seconds.  Remember, our duty is always to -  Stay responsible. Spread truth.

Wait for upcoming Part 2: "Spot It Before You Share It"

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"In this world of speed, truth takes the stairs, while lies take the lift."

Click here to read about Work-Life Balance

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Books: Your Next Chapter Begins Here

In a world ruled by screens and scrolls, reading habit is becoming rare.  Many of us associate, reading with textbooks, exams, and grades.  But what if reading is something else - something we can enjoy anywhere, anytime?

My 4-part blog series explored reading not as a task, but as a source of joy. Books open up worlds of imagination and insight—and they grow with us. 

(Click for Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 and Part 4)  

The best part?  There are no rules. Read in any format you like.  Choose any genre that interest you.  Skip pages.  Drop books that don’t connect.  You don’t have to finish every book, or stick to serious stuff.  Just begin—even 5 pages a day is enough.

The series targeted the hesitant reader, the busy adults, and those who've never touched a book beyond school.  Books aren't burdens.  They're bridges to fresh thoughts and better version of yourself. 

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Let this be your moment. Pick up a book today. 

As Jim Rohn said:

"Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary." - Jim Rohn

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