Fake News: Disinformation, Deception, and Magical Thinking Over Time

Create Doubt

In all of these exhibits, there are central questions around what is actually true. When the media, experts, and the public debate these questions, the information becomes distorted, and doubt fills people's minds. Stakeholders deliberately sow misinformation, and sometimes declare a question unresolvable. 

I. The Cottingley Fairy photographs drew doubt from all sides, including experts, which led the Manchester City News to essentially give up and write, "It seems at this point that we must either believe in the almost incredible mystery of the fairy or in the almost incredible wonders of faked photographs" (29 January 1921). 

II. The Winsted Wild Man was described as a number of different creatures, each one more curious or alarming than the last. This constant redefinition of the Wild Man by townspeople and the media not only cast doubt as to its true existence, but helped keep the story alive, and selling newspapers. 

III. Efforts to prevent, treat, or cure smallpox were characterized by frequent attempts to disinform the public and create doubt around various protocols. Anxiety around the disease itself inspired a range of reactions and misinformation that led to confusion and doubt.

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