How to Spot Fake News

With the proliferation of intentionally phony news items on social media, it is increasingly difficult to know what information to trust. Here are some red flags tipping you off to fake news:

–Long-ago quotes attributed to a candidate in which he claims to be engaged in politics because his future constituents are “the dumbest group of dumb dummies ever to walk the earth” tend to be false, however true in nature they may seem. This is especially so when the quote in question is punctuated by “evil cackling.”

–Rumors have spread claiming that certain athletic apparel companies have courted the endorsement of neo-Nazi organizations. Have you seen photographs of members of the alt-right fringe? Suffice to say, this is not a group that has spent significant time engaged in physical exercise. There is a reason they historically have favored loose-fitting robes.

–Anything involving “Hillary Clinton” is patently false. As we now know, there is no such thing as a “Hillary Clinton.” Rather, the character was invented decades ago by dark right-wing forces, who for years cultivated their boogie woman in order to one day deliver the presidency to an ill-tempered game-show host, all so he can lower corporate taxes.

–It goes without saying that it is physically impossible for the Chicago Cubs to have won the World Series. Distrust any and all information claiming otherwise.