The man who reads nothing at all
is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers was a famous
quote of Jefferson a one-time American President! But what can one say about
social media and the many news peddlers who have suddenly found their voice and
feel compelled to share whatever comes through the portals of their phones? To
these peddlers once the story comes through from another peddler it must be
shared whether verified or not!
We have been served with stories
of a shoe repairer who put something in the shoe he was hired to mend. When he
was thereafter forced to wear the shoe himself, he suddenly disappeared! The
story ends with advice that you stay with shoe repairers when your shoes are
being mended as most of the repairers are ritualists.
Another story came through as an “Emergency
News” announcing the death of a young man after consuming egg and bananas! The
story goes on to say that research has discovered that the mixture of egg and
banana in the stomach turns into a poison that kills. Amazing!
Now the fact is that a physical
body cannot simply disappear without it being moved physically. It is also
highly unlikely that a fruit like banana which is rich in potassium, vitamin C
and B6, fiber and fats and egg rich in fats, protein and cholesterol would mix
up together to form anything toxic.
I think it is better to share
stories that are verified, edifying and true. It does absolve you of
responsibility for peddling falsehood even if you start your stories with forewarnings
like – “copied”, “sent as received” and so on. Let all unverified story stay in
the prison cell of your cell phone! Once you share a false story you have
joined the unenviable club of those who bear false witness!
