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August 3, 2020
Beirut Explosion (Not a Nuke)
#BeirutBlast
Thread.
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August 3, 2020
Beirut Explosion (Not a Nuke)
#BeirutBlast
Thread.
1/ At 11:44AM, @ANTHONYBLOGAN posted a Sputnik Insight (Kremlin Outlet), video saying that the explosion "Looks like a NUKE!"
About 3.5 hours later, he clarifies "Not a nuke" but still raises suspicion about the official story.
By then the video has over 2.1M views.
About 3.5 hours later, he clarifies "Not a nuke" but still raises suspicion about the official story.
By then the video has over 2.1M views.
2/ Only 11 minutes after @ANTHONYBLOGAN& #39;s original post, @MJVentrice posts a video from RT (Kremlin Outlet). He also says "looks like a nuke"
He tries to clarify quickly, but clearly doesn& #39;t want to delete the Tweet. It travels fast due to his verified status.
He tries to clarify quickly, but clearly doesn& #39;t want to delete the Tweet. It travels fast due to his verified status.
3/ About half an hour after @MJVentrice& #39;s post, @BasedPoland
posts this video.
This one clearly says it isn& #39;t a nuke, but given the nature of social media, it would have been best not to use that word at all.
posts this video.
This one clearly says it isn& #39;t a nuke, but given the nature of social media, it would have been best not to use that word at all.
4/ At about 1:12 PM, comedian @TitusNation irresponsibly furthers the "nuke" narrative.
He posts about it several times (twice referring to it as a nuke), before clearly stating it is NOT one.
This is in a span of under 20 minutes.
He posts about it several times (twice referring to it as a nuke), before clearly stating it is NOT one.
This is in a span of under 20 minutes.
5/ Hoaxy can visually show us what sort of impact these posts had.
I& #39;ve attached images taken this afternoon, or you can see it live at this link.
#query=Nuke%20Beirut&sort=mixed&type=Twitter&lang=">https://hoaxy.iuni.iu.edu/ #query=Nuke%20Beirut&sort=mixed&type=Twitter&lang=">https://hoaxy.iuni.iu.edu/...
I& #39;ve attached images taken this afternoon, or you can see it live at this link.
#query=Nuke%20Beirut&sort=mixed&type=Twitter&lang=">https://hoaxy.iuni.iu.edu/ #query=Nuke%20Beirut&sort=mixed&type=Twitter&lang=">https://hoaxy.iuni.iu.edu/...
6/ One of the first corrections that made it far came from @TorraineWalker at 1:17PM.
This is 5 minutes after @TitusNation& #39;s first post.
https://twitter.com/TorraineWalker/status/1290698344369717249?s=19">https://twitter.com/TorraineW...
This is 5 minutes after @TitusNation& #39;s first post.
https://twitter.com/TorraineWalker/status/1290698344369717249?s=19">https://twitter.com/TorraineW...
7/ Another big correction came from @mjgault at 1:59PM. Just over 2 hours after @ANTHONYBLOGAN& #39;s initial post.
As far as I can see, this was one of the first to include a specific link clearly debunking the claim.
https://twitter.com/mjgault/status/1290709035164020737?s=19">https://twitter.com/mjgault/s...
As far as I can see, this was one of the first to include a specific link clearly debunking the claim.
https://twitter.com/mjgault/status/1290709035164020737?s=19">https://twitter.com/mjgault/s...
8/ One of the most influential posts setting the narrative straight came from @Stonekettle at 2:34PM.
As of this moment, his post has about 700 RTs compared to the original from @ANTHONYBLOGAN
with only 400.
Thankfully, Truth won.
As of this moment, his post has about 700 RTs compared to the original from @ANTHONYBLOGAN
with only 400.
Thankfully, Truth won.
9/ So any lessons here?
For one, I think it& #39;s pretty telling that the original posts are still up. Reluctant clarifications aside, no one wanted to give up those precious internet points.
Seems like a pretty good argument for an "Edit" button though.
For one, I think it& #39;s pretty telling that the original posts are still up. Reluctant clarifications aside, no one wanted to give up those precious internet points.
Seems like a pretty good argument for an "Edit" button though.
10/ In the end, I think this is was a good reminder about choosing our words carefully. This is extra important for Verified accounts.
Even those with good intentions can cause damage. Be thoughtful with your words.
PS - Please stop linking Kremlin Propaganda Outlets.
Even those with good intentions can cause damage. Be thoughtful with your words.
PS - Please stop linking Kremlin Propaganda Outlets.
