Why are so many Facebook friends sharing preposterous stories from Natural News?
Himalayan Bath Salts Will Not Save Your Life
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2014/02/natural_news_is_a_facebook_hit_never_click_on_itsr_stories_about_cancer.html
"Have you heard that eating whole lemons prevents cancer? Or that bathing in Himalayan salt rids the body of harmful toxins? That eating hijiki seaweed can delay hair graying? If you have a few Facebook friends, youve probably encountered some of these claims. The website Natural News which seems like a parody but is unfortunately quite seriouspublished these preposterous stories, and many others just as silly, last week alone.
Hokum like this is best ignored, but hundreds of thousands of Americans fail to do so. Natural News has achieved astonishing traction on social media, garnering Facebook shares in the high five and low six figures. These numbers should trouble youNatural News has an uncanny ability to move unsophisticated readers from harmless dietary balderdash to medical quackery to anti-government zealotry.
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Anytime someone tells you that eating something prevents cancer, your BS detector should start a-clanging. Natural News is full of these beauties. In addition to whole lemons, the site pushes organic green shakes, cilantro, blueberries, and spirulina as surefire cancer fighters. Whisper it, though, because Natural News has exclusive information suggesting that the government will silence anyone who pushes natural cancer cures.
Well never be rid of tripe like thisshortcuts to immortality are irresistiblebut its important not to confuse hopeful superstitions with science. If you loosen your grip on the anchor of evidence-based medicine, youll find yourself drifting dangerously toward conspiracy theory.
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Sophie22
(23 posts)I don't use Facebook a lot and don't have a lot of Facebook friends....so, I can only speak about a couple people. One has very Libertarian views. She is anti-vaccine and anti-government. I assumed these views are one of the reasons she frequents that site, but I am just guessing....and her Libertarian son pushes a lot of this stuff her way. I usually don't reply, at all. A lot of the stories seem questionable to me.
Isoldeblue
(1,135 posts)panacea for their fears and ills. The easiest, the more it's liked and catches on.
"What are the long-term effects of instant gratification?"