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Essay / Internet: The importance of social media and...
Clickhole sites and ridiculously inaccurate “true” stories are shared on social media like wildfire. The need for instant gratification provided by fast-paced and always "refreshing" social media sites leads websites to use catchy and outrageous headlines to attract the reader. Headlines like “Step Up: When Their School Disbanded Its ROTC Program, These Students Trained.” Their Own Paramilitary Group” and “Taking a Stand: Dunkin’ Donuts Just Announced They Will Perform an Abortion” (clickhole) are created solely to attract readers and get clicks on the article. Although most of these articles are clearly satirical upon reading, or have content that doesn't quite match the title, most people just read the title and the first two or three sentences before moving on. thing and do not necessarily understand the satirical aspect. , which may cause unnecessary controversy or trouble. The comments sections of these articles, and even some slightly more reliable articles, more often than not devolve into mindless chatter and name-calling. Participants will ignore other arguments, no matter how valid, and attack anyone who thinks differently from them. These types of people do exist in actual debates, however, like