this post was submitted on 15 Oct 2025
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Believing misinformation is a “win” for some people, even when proven false (arstechnica.com)
submitted 2 weeks ago by Catoblepas@piefed.blahaj.zone to c/science@beehaw.org
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The strongest predictor of whether someone believed in COVID-19-related misinformation and risks related to the vaccine was whether they viewed COVID-19 prevention efforts in terms of symbolic strength and weakness. In other words, this group focused on whether an action would make them appear to fend off or “give in” to untoward influence.

[…]

Our findings highlight the limits of countering misinformation directly, because for some people, literal truth is not the point.

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[–] kbal@fedia.io 18 points 2 weeks ago

Holding on to unshakable belief in the most outlandish lies you've been told, always the best way to prove that you're a strong independent thinker who won't give in to outside influence.