How Lies Live and Grow in the Brain
What religion is Barack Obama? The correct answer would be Christian, but 10% of the population is under the impression he is Muslim. Why? Despite this being a well disproved rumor, many people still believe it because they have heard it so many times that they cannot remember where they picked up the information, which means they no longer remember if it was a credible source.
This phenomenon is referred to as source amnesia and I find it very interesting. This brain (dis)function has played major roles in past presidential elections and could cause detrimental damage if exploited by campaigners. Once someone starts a rumor on the national level, no matter where or how they say it, if it is reinforced in the public mind enough times no one will remember when it comes out as false and only continue to believe what they were originally told.
Granted this takes repetition, but isn't that what commercials are for. Tell the viewer that a product or message is true enough times and you may not remember that it was a commercial feeding you the information in the first place. Bad news for those non-conformist out there who insist they never follow the trends.
Unfortunately, this means smear campaigns are extremely effective and if you try to deny the smears you are only enforcing them. By claiming "I am not...." or "I do not..." you are only repeating the misinformation (even if it is in the negative) and helping people believe it further.
So be careful Obama and take Sam Wang and Sandra Aamodt's advice or you may end up president in the Middle East!
Yes that is very true. It seems like the world loves gossip and negative things. But when the positive is brought fourth, we overlook it because the truth is too boring. Good blog.
Obama IS Muslum! Thats it a fact.
JUst kidding, good blog. This happens with most consumer goods and its kind of funny when people say they just have to have a certain brand or type because its the best all the while not knowing why... happens with religion too as Womble just blogged.
I will definately be on the look out and try to catch myself 'doing what I am told'
~T
All truths are easy to understand once discovered; The point is to discover them ~Galileo