From "corpse oil" to AI rumors: How do we protect the truth in the information age?

From "corpse oil" to AI rumors: How do we protect the truth in the information age?Do you remember the "corpse oil spicy strips" that went viral on social media a few years ago? The realistic descriptions, the detailed "production process", as if it were happening right before our eyes, made people both disgusted and terrified. Although the official statement refuted the rumor, claiming that "corpse oil" does not exist under modern cremation technology, similar rumors have never ceased, instead they are spreading under different disguises in the corners of the internet

From "corpse oil" to AI rumors: How do we protect the truth in the information age?

Do you remember the "corpse oil spicy strips" that went viral on social media a few years ago? The realistic descriptions, the detailed "production process", as if it were happening right before our eyes, made people both disgusted and terrified. Although the official statement refuted the rumor, claiming that "corpse oil" does not exist under modern cremation technology, similar rumors have never ceased, instead they are spreading under different disguises in the corners of the internet.

From "corpse oil" to "nuclear radiation seawater", from "genetically modified food is harmful" to "5G spreads viruses", these rumors follow a similar pattern: using people's fear of the unknown, their anxieties about safety, fabricating sensational stories, then leveraging the convenience of the internet to quickly spread and cause public panic, even leading to social unrest.

The "corpse oil" rumor is a product of the information cocoon, a reflection of the lack of scientific literacy, and the result of some people sacrificing social responsibility to manipulate public opinion for profit. In August 2023, a man in Xiangyang, Hubei province, was administratively detained for ten days for spreading the rumor that "funeral homes sell corpse oil to restaurants." [1] This news, though seemingly absurd, reflects the real harm of rumors. It not only damages the reputation of related industries, but more importantly, it erodes the foundation of social trust, turning each of us into "scared birds".

In the age of information explosion, we are surrounded by a sea of information, yet we often get lost in the ocean, unable to discern truth from falsehood. It's like being in a giant echo chamber where the information we receive is often just an echo of our own beliefs. Information that contradicts our understanding is blocked by algorithms. Over time, we fall into the trap of the "information cocoon" and become gullible to rumors.

More worrying is that with the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, AI face-swapping, AI synthetic speech, and other technologies are becoming increasingly mature, lowering the barrier to creating rumors. Imagine if a video about food safety released by an "authoritative expert" is actually AI-generated, how would we know the difference?

In the information age, every one of us is a receiver and a transmitter of information. Faced with overwhelming information, we cannot be "armchair quarterbacks" or "loudspeakers" for rumors. How can we break through the fog of rumors and embrace the light of truth?

Improving our media literacy and fostering independent critical thinking is crucial. Don't let emotions control you, don't believe sensational headlines, learn to verify information from multiple sources, and get reliable information from official channels and authoritative media.

We need to actively learn scientific knowledge and analyze problems with a scientific mindset. Rumors often take advantage of people's lack of scientific knowledge, concocting "reasonable" explanations. Only by mastering scientific knowledge can we expose the deception of rumors.

Most importantly, we must maintain a rational and calm mind. When faced with online information, think more, act less, don't spread rumors, don't believe rumors, don't pass on rumors, and work together to maintain a clean and healthy online environment.

From "corpse oil" to AI rumors, we've traveled a winding road and face even greater challenges. But I believe that if each of us takes action, improves our own quality, and takes a rational approach to information, we can dispel the shadow of rumors and let the light of truth illuminate the future!

What do you think, how can we protect the truth in the information age?

References:

[1] The Paper. (August 16, 2023). A man in Xiangyang, Hubei province is detained for 10 days for spreading the rumor that "funeral homes sell corpse oil to restaurants". Retrieved on October 26, 2023, https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_24108985

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