Harlan McKosato: Don't believe everything you read on Facebook

Facebook has its usefulness. For instance, I get a lot of my information about the latest news from Standing Rock when the Water Protectors post videos and photos and give updates from the front lines. I sometimes get ideas for news stories from my Facebook friends when I see something interesting. But for the most part I think it’s a waste of time – and it’s addictive for a lot of people.

There are a lot of Indians on Facebook that crack me up. Because you can try to create an alter-ego on this social media phenomenon and some people pull it off in their own minds. It’s the attempt that makes me chuckle. Many people believe that everything they see on Facebook is true, and that being the case, they believe everything they post on their page will be believed by those who see it/read it.

I don’t personally believe numerous things I see on FB. The journalist in me ensures that I take them with a grain of salt. There are a lot of folks out there who are trying to manipulate the facts, and trying to turn public opinion towards their particular cause or concern. And what’s more confusing is that sometimes people try to manipulate public opinion by pretending to be sympathetic to an issue, but intentionally incite and inflame those who are against that particular issue. It’s like Orwellian double-speak.