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We all know that we shouldn't believe everything we read online. I can still hear my 9th grade English teacher's voice in the back of my head warning us about the unreliability of Wikipedia. While the internet has become an invaluable source for education and connection, it can also be a cesspool of misinformation. In the current age of "fake news", it can be difficult to discern between reliable sources and unfounded claims. However, sometimes people are blatantly wrong, and their statements deserve addressing.

That's where the subreddit r/ConfidentlyIncorrect comes in. With almost 800k members, this group is dedicated to gathering examples of misinformation that have been proudly proclaimed online. It houses countless examples of tweets, Facebook posts, Instagram stories and more with objectively incorrect takes that we only wish had been shared ironically. Enjoy this list we've compiled at Bored Panda of some of the best examples, and if you're in the mood to laugh at even more confidently incorrect statements later, check out some of our previous compilations here and here.

#1

Brb, Going To Dye My Hair Rainbow Colors So People Like This Will Be Repelled

Brb, Going To Dye My Hair Rainbow Colors So People Like This Will Be Repelled

almostinfinity Report

Ignorance may be bliss, but being ridiculed on Reddit certainly is not. Logically, we should back down when called out for spreading misinformation. Interestingly enough, however, a bruised ego can actually fuel belief in false ideas. Brendan Nyhan, a Dartmouth College political scientist, explored this so-called "backfire effect" in a 2021 article. Nyhan explained that a typical response to mistaken beliefs is to try to "set the record straight by providing accurate information—for instance, by providing evidence of the scientific consensus on climate change". Unfortunately, this is not always the most effective route. 

When the listener is already skeptical, they are not likely to have an open mind. Nyhan found that even “corrective information in news reports may fail to reduce misperceptions and can sometimes increase them for the ideological group most likely to hold those misperceptions”. For example, a Democrat is more likely to accept the correction of a false statement George W. Bush made about Iraq than a Republican is. It can be hard for people to recognize their fallibility without taking it personally. 

Luckily, the backfire effect is not impenetrable. Despite being stubborn, but we are capable of changing our minds. One larger danger making misperceptions difficult to eradicate, Nyhan notes, is the media. He shares that media "frequently fails to aggressively fact-check false statements by political elites or resorts to neutral 'he said' 'she said' coverage of factual disputes". Apparently, "survey evidence indicates that false beliefs about high-profile issues often persist for years or decades despite extensive efforts by journalists, scientists, and public officials to set the record straight".

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A notable example Nyhan provides of this is the belief that US troops found weapons of mass destruction in Iraq in 2003. It was made clear at the time and in the years following that there had been none found, yet a poll in 2015 revealed that 42% of Americans, including 51% of Republicans, still believed the contrary.

A similar conclusion was found when a survey was taken in 2015 asking Americans what religion President Obama practiced. Despite Obama labeling himself as Christian and attending church for years, rumors swirled that he was secretly Muslim. The poll found that 29% of Americans, including 43% of Republicans, still considered him to be Muslim. 

#3

Hiv And Covid Are The Same...right ?

Hiv And Covid Are The Same...right ?

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#4

Imagine Assuming People Erase Their Own Culture By Themselves

Imagine Assuming People Erase Their Own Culture By Themselves

diego_le_blanco Report

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Katie Lutesinger
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I now live in the hopes of getting an opportunity to call someone a goddamn Vitamin D deficient circus clown.

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In terms of fragile egos contributing to the flourishing of misinformation, fitting in is apparently a higher priority to us than facts. Explored in a New York Times article by Max Fisher, the need to feel like we belong is surprisingly powerful. "As much as we like to think of ourselves as rational beings who put truth-seeking above all else," Fisher begins. "We are social animals wired for survival." He notes that the hostility fueled by idea polarization makes us cling to the groups where we do feel we belong. "Once our brains switch into 'identity-based conflict' mode, we become desperately hungry for information that will affirm that sense of us versus them, and much less concerned about things like truth."

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#5

Hunting Vegies

Hunting Vegies

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KJ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can just imagine them in full camo hunting down those poor defenceless mushrooms.

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#6

🤡🤣🤣🤣

🤡🤣🤣🤣

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Libstak
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lmao, well of course they are, no chance they would get it.....

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Many of us know how political differences can sever relationships and allow prejudices to blossom, but they can also make us prone to spreading false information. An example Fisher uses is how sensitive people are to social reward. "Research demonstrates that people who get positive feedback for posting inflammatory or false statements become much more likely to do so again in the future." All press is good press, I suppose?

In fact, when retweeting information, "truthfulness of a post or accuracy of a claim was not an identified motivation". Jon-Patrick Allem, a professor of research at the University of Southern California, investigated the role social media played in fueling misinformation about Covid-19. His research concluded that "Twitter users tend to retweet to show approval, argue, gain attention and entertain". It is a social networking site, after all. But the lack of concern for truthfulness is worrying when 7 out of 10 Twitter users consider the site a news source. 

#7

Mistakes Were Made

Mistakes Were Made

BUTTHOLE-MAGIC Report

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Nubis Knight
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Satan is doing a good job with his church, they're getting more likeable every day! O.o

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#8

When You Can't Tell Antennas And Solar Panels Apart

When You Can't Tell Antennas And Solar Panels Apart

beerbellybegone Report

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N G
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

5g Antennas disguised as solar panels, that's a new low. Never ever leave home without 2 layers of Aluminium foil wrapped around your head.

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#9

Glenn Beck Is Bad At History

Glenn Beck Is Bad At History

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Bernd Herbert
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awh, who doesn’t learn the forces of nature governing our very lives in physics and chemistry class? Gravity, electromagnetism, weak and strong force and of course… the constitution of the USA

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One unfortunate statistic about fake news is that age is the most accurate predictor of who will share misinformation. According to a study from Princeton University and New York University, "people 65 years of age and over are seven times more likely to share fake news than those aged 18-29". Those of us who have grown up in the age of the internet are naturally more savvy online, and it can be hard to teach our elders this digital literacy. Especially on platforms such as Facebook, it is incredibly easy for misinformation to be rapidly shared into echo chambers.

#10

What’s The Welsh Word For ‘Overconfident’?

What’s The Welsh Word For ‘Overconfident’?

ctsmithers Report

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Peppy Piplup
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone else slightly concerned that Great Britain STILL wants to erase other people's cultures?

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#11

If It's Not White, It's Uncivilized

If It's Not White, It's Uncivilized

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N G
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Russia doesn't qualify as a civilized nation. Not until Putin leaves office

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#12

I'm Counting Three Things Wrong With This

I'm Counting Three Things Wrong With This

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Looking for ways to break out of your own social media echo chamber? Christopher Seneca wrote a piece for Wired sharing ideas on how to avoid perpetual confirmation bias online. As comforting as it is to associate ourselves with like-minded individuals, we must not forget that challenging our ideas can be important. "Social media companies therefore rely on adaptive algorithms to assess our interests and flood us with information that will keep us scrolling," notes Seneca. But we can actively try to present ourselves with new information. The first step Seneca suggests is to "like everything". Algorithms cannot pinpoint you if you don't let them.

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#13

It's A Hoax

It's A Hoax

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#15

User Tells Nfl Player To Take A Class In Economics. Well...

User Tells Nfl Player To Take A Class In Economics. Well...

FLAMlNSPAZ12 Report

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Gregory Mead
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair, a BA in a relevant topic just gets him started. That said, anyone saying that gov't officials don't have an effect on the stock market, or even more important, aren't privy to insider information because of their jobs, is either massively ignorant or deliberately lying.

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The next step in branching out is to "swallow your pre-conceived opinions and follow prestige publications across the political spectrum". This helps you avoid news that is too far on either end of the spectrum, which is often pushed to incite arguments. Seneca also says to be wary of who you follow and what role they play on social media. If a friend has many followers and posts frequently, but does not follow many others, particularly no one with differing opinions, their content may not be for you. Next, Seneca recommends changing your settings to make your feed chronological, rather than the default, which pushes content the algorithm expects you to engage with. Lastly, create space for new voices. If you know someone shares your beliefs, consider muting them to allow someone else in.

#16

Virgin Mary Irl, Amirite?

Virgin Mary Irl, Amirite?

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#18

Soup Of The Day

Soup Of The Day

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In terms of combatting the spread of misinformation, Nyhan does not want individuals to feel they are at fault. He says we "must first recognize the role that elites play in promoting false beliefs and linking them to people’s political identities". He explained that the media must stop sensationalizing news and promoting belief polarization. News outlets should "seek to avoid amplifying false claims... when discussing matters of fact and science". There is not a need for messages to be "balanced" when that means providing a platform for conspiracy theorists and deniers of science. "Instead, reporters and science communicators should emphasize the views of nonpartisan experts."

#20

Almost Like They Was Wrong

Almost Like They Was Wrong

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iblowsheep
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

while simultaneously believing that the millions of people that have dropped dead of COVID is a lie.

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#21

From This Example I'd Say: Hard No To Homeschool, Lady

From This Example I'd Say: Hard No To Homeschool, Lady

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KJ
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I fear for her poor kids once they go into the real world.

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Nyhan goes on to say that personal experiences can be powerful, and he encourages readers to be observant. It is harder to deny the effects of climate change while seeing extreme weather events more frequently with our own eyes. He notes that many Americans "attribute their changed views on gay marriage to personal experiences" with those in the LGBT community. Even the widespread consensus that smoking causes cancer was helped along by many people who know someone with a smoking-related illness.

#22

Why Won't You Say Merry Christmas?!

Why Won't You Say Merry Christmas?!

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#23

“Atheism Is A Religion”

“Atheism Is A Religion”

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Aussie Atheist
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait.... wasn't man created using dust and gods breath? And woman from a chunk of Adams rib cage? And we're crazy?? Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!

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#24

Fixed

Fixed

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Miss Marmite
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! My depression is cured all thanks to this guy on the internet! My depression is suddenly gone because it is a state of mind! /s 😐

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Lastly, it is not lost on Nyhan how responsive elected officials are to negative press. He calls for "high-profile scrutiny to elite rhetoric" to deter the spread of misinformation. Essentially, Nyhan is asking for those with a platform to be held accountable. Though we can choose what media we consume, to a degree, preventing false claims from being uttered in the first place is the most efficient tactic in combatting fake news.

#25

Not Only Were They Wrong About The Time Limit, They Were Also Mathematically Incorrect 😭

Not Only Were They Wrong About The Time Limit, They Were Also Mathematically Incorrect 😭

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#26

💀

💀

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mikejaz2
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd like to go in record here as anti-noun. Thank you, I'm Mike Jaz and I approve this message.

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#27

How Do People Believe This Rubbish

How Do People Believe This Rubbish

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Kimi Tomminello
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

🤣🤣🤣🤣 dear lord imagine being so menopause brained you forget about menopause and blame your natural biological process on your boyfriends' vaccination.

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I can't help but feel a tinge of sympathy for internet users who are drowned by the flood of misinformation that many of us know how to maneuver out of. But we must hold others responsible for clinging to false ideas and making them more widespread, especially beliefs that carry harmful prejudices. We are so lucky to live in an age where information is infinitely accessible, let's all try our best to seek out reliable sources. Never forget to engage your critical thinking skills, and when in doubt, check those facts.

#28

Tetanus Shot Is Literally A Vaccine. The Dose You Get When Injured Is Literally A Booster

Tetanus Shot Is Literally A Vaccine. The Dose You Get When Injured Is Literally A Booster

Flupox Report

#29

There Are No Lesbians In China

There Are No Lesbians In China

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Bernd Herbert
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does „I looked extensively“ mean: looked at the first Google search result?

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#30

I Think I've Proven My Point

I Think I've Proven My Point

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Nubis Knight
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So now we "proof our points" by spreading opinions? I see the problem a bit clearer now. -.-

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#31

Scotus Justice Worried About “Catching A Baby”

Scotus Justice Worried About “Catching A Baby”

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#33

In Response To Georgia Applying For The Eu

In Response To Georgia Applying For The Eu

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Laura Mende (Human)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am constantly confused by this... Before we got teached the USA in geography, I only knew the European Georgia (birthplace of Stalin) and everytime I read Georgia, I think of Europe. But 99% of the time it's about the US state.

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#34

The Closest Evolutionary Relative Of Humans Is The Penguin

The Closest Evolutionary Relative Of Humans Is The Penguin

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#35

Is There Anyone More Confidently Incorrect Than A Religious Zealot?

Is There Anyone More Confidently Incorrect Than A Religious Zealot?

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KJ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Horrible woman, she is the type that makes said youths suicidal.

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#36

That's Not How Lactation Works

That's Not How Lactation Works

__Matt_12__ Report

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Bad Alchemy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, so about cows and milk: for a cow to give milk, it has to have become pregnant first. This starts a lactation cycle. A cow doesn't have to continue to nurse a calf in order to keep giving milk; as long as you milk it every day, a single lactation cycle can continue for several years. But if anything interrupts the cycle, like illness, or the cow just gets badly frightened or bored (I'm not kidding), they can stop giving milk. The only thing to do in that case is breed the cow again, and start another lactation cycle. Many farmers breed their cows every year to ensure uninterrupted milking. Yup, spent some time on a dairy farm, and got family that breed dairy cows.

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#37

Fat-Shaming A Normal Size Person

Fat-Shaming A Normal Size Person

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Nubis Knight
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

64,5 kg for 1,70 m is perfectly fine. She rather not lose weight or she'll start getting underweighted.

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#38

My Husband's English Degree Is Screaming From The Drawer

My Husband's English Degree Is Screaming From The Drawer

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Scagsy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I failed English so yeah, whatever that person said, 'herb condensation'.

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#39

This Dude Gotta Be Living In An Alternate Timeline

This Dude Gotta Be Living In An Alternate Timeline

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Prestigous Cactus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No no you don't understand. All those places China savagely invaded were actually part of China, so its not really an invasion (!)

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#40

The Top Review For This Manga Volume On Amazon

The Top Review For This Manga Volume On Amazon

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Nubis Knight
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sure on the first Page (Western style) is an explanation why this is and how to proppetly read the book. Especially for those morons every translated manga I ever Held in hand had such a manual side.

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