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Not so long ago, photos of unusually clear water in Venice canals went viral. The images showed fish swimming around and there were even reports of swans floating around. People were happy to see nature 'cleansing itself'. However, while the canals may look beautiful, the mayor's office in Venice told CNN that the change is not actually due to improved water quality.
"The water now looks clearer because there is less traffic on the canals, allowing the sediment to stay at the bottom," a spokesman said. "It's because there is less boat traffic that usually brings sediment to the top of the water's surface."
Not only that, but the swans also regularly appear in the canals of Burano, a small island in the greater Venice metropolitan area.
Similarly, people started sharing other false evidence of 'healing' nature and since the pandemic has us locked inside our homes, they continued blaming mankind and its dirty everyday life for the initial damage. Some even went as far as to say that 'we are the virus'. Reduced pollution and the unexpected return of wild animals have been the main narratives, preaching that coronavirus is 'Earth’s vaccine'.
All of this is a clear case of eco-fascism (the idea that individuals have to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of nature). One could argue that the main reason why nature has been able to blossom in the days during the lockdown is a direct result of reduced activity by corporations, not the actions of individuals. As a result, counter-memes were born, poking fun at the eco-fascists and their blanket statements.
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#1
Dorothy Parker 5 years ago
Gorgeous pigeons perched near the seasonal Rice Krispy Treat Plant.
John L 5 years ago
I don't believe those two are really pigeons. The parrot beak is the giveaway. But they sure are colorful.
Dr. ABDULRASHID Bhat 5 years ago
The Creator of the Multiverse created everything possible for & in the best Interests of His most Absolute Creation "the Human Beings". But only for their Care & best Use. Humans are Never Viruses.
The above-mentioned examples highlight how quickly eye-popping, too-good-to-be-true rumors can spread in times of crisis. People are drawn to sharing posts that make them emotional. "When we're feeling stressed, joyous," Natasha Daly wrote in National Geographic, "Animal footage can be an irresistible salve. The spread of social phenomena is so powerful, 2016 research shows that it can follow the same models that trace the contagion of epidemics."
Getting a lot of likes and comments “gives us an immediate social reward,” Erin Vogel, a social psychologist and postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University, said. In simple words, when people notice and react to our content online, we feel good. Posting on social media temporarily boosts one's self-esteem.
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#2
Meyer Weinstock 5 years ago
(In Sir David Attenborough's voice): here we have the wild pepperoni pizza in its native habitat, free from human interference, and sharp pizza cutters...the Pizzatus capiscum is a relatively peaceful creature, but known for its high sodium and carbohydrate content, and being a source of the disease deadly to humans, hyperlipidosis...be wary, my fine round creature, be wary... -Dr M
"In times when we're all really lonely, it's tempting to hold onto that feeling, especially if we're posting something that gives people a lot of hope," Vogel added. The idea that animals and nature could flourish during this pandemic "could help give us a sense of meaning and purpose—that we went through this for a reason."
But before we start calling ourselves 'viruses' that 'infect the Earth', it's worth mentioning that 100 companies across the globe are responsible for 71% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. And while it's true that our own actions contribute to the well-being of our environment, without any significant changes in the way these big companies operate, there will likely be no noticeable change or "cure".
#3
aliya moran 5 years ago
Wow. You mean people are recognizing nature, and even lifting bridges for it? this is progress!
Rabbit Carrot 5 years ago
Nah, have you been near the themes, that’ll take a thousand years to heal.
#4
With less pollution out in NY the sky whales have finally returned!
Chloe Drury 5 years ago
nah, you see that's the problem.... she took too much of it
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#5
ADHORTATOR 5 years ago
Uh oh---- I am not sure if that's is good for people living on the shore of the baltic sea...
#6
#7
aliya moran 5 years ago
....so, the whole amber & mosquito theory was fake? and the dinosaurs were in hiding all these years?? I can never watch those movies again.😰
Elaine Mattingly 5 years ago
You'll NEVER guess what I saw today, bigger than yesterday. Yes my blood sugar level is stable.
#8
Philler Space 5 years ago
Yes, that was clearly the joke. Thank you for explaining it.
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#9
chi-wei shen 5 years ago
That's the domesticated baguette, not to be mixed up with the wild baguette from the forests.
Meyer Weinstock 5 years ago
yes, the wild baguette is slightly smaller in diametre, and has a tougher outer shell...
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A lazy spider 5 years ago
I think I saw one hiding in my kitchen. Do I just let it...live there?
Well, I Tried. 5 years ago
Yes. Leave it alone or it will take over your kitchen.
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Vicky 5 years ago
Haha this one made me laugh I was eating breakfast while reading this and I was eating Bread
Elaine Mattingly 5 years ago
Thank you for using and sharing your talent to make me laugh out loud.
Elaine Mattingly 5 years ago
I laughed out loud. Thank you for using and sharing your imagination and talent.
#10
#11
chi-wei shen 5 years ago
For those who don't know: The spaghetti tree hoax was the April Fools' Day joke 1957 by the BBC.
I Just Changed My Name 5 years ago
Ha! I thought they were drying the fresh pasta noodles they made
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Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
Found this today. It is well worth a visit. http://hoaxes.org/aprilfool/
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago (edited)
And you MUST watch the "documentary"!!! It is absolutely wonderful. BBC: Spaghetti-Harvest in Ticino: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVo_wkxH9dU
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Christopher Alford 5 years ago
It was a Blue Peter hoax from my childhood, almost as good as the dehydrated water they arrange to deliver.
Meyer Weinstock 5 years ago
What is not in the photograph are the cheese bread bushes and the meatball vines.
#12
sabocat 5 years ago
No Lama Lady, they're not really nice ppl but the real a******s here are the companies that provide these environmental disasters. They're used up in about 6 months, take more energy to produce than what they save because they replace only pedestrians, bicycles and public transport- things that are actually good for the environment. I don't think throwing them in the water is really constructive way of protesting, but I can imagine ppl being furious about these things.
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#13
Meyer Weinstock 5 years ago
Why are Dell computers so slow? Because they have a farmer in them, running the mainframe, while going 5 mph on his tractor.
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Sarah Stalder 5 years ago
Yes, I believe that is so. I need reading glasses, though. I wouldn't have been able to see them
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#14
#15
Elaine Mattingly 5 years ago
The fact they never believed me is the only reason I'm still alive.
#16
Meyer Weinstock 5 years ago
This is the semi-domesticated porcelain guttermouth. It has a range throughout North America, but is consistently urban in its actions. It requires a continuous flow of fresh water to survive.
Elaine Mattingly 5 years ago
Nobody uses me anymore so I'm going to where the tolit paper grows.
#17
Avery S Alberico 5 years ago
This is why Sharknado was made, to teach us what to do if we ever see this ! *cracks up mid-sentence
Randomcthulu 5 years ago
Wasn't this after the hurricane flooding in Houston? There really were sharks on the freeway...
#18
Holly Waychoff 5 years ago
Are you mean like a minx? Are you lean like a lynx? Are you keen to be seen when you're smelling a rat?
J Rob 5 years ago
Every streetlamp seems to beat a fatalistic warning Someone mutters, and a streetlamp gutters, And soon it will be morning
#19
#20
Lily Bussan 5 years ago
Nah at this point let the fricking idiots drink it
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Faith Livengood 5 years ago
Ok either someone was mean and put them there or they swam through the plumbing
#21
Squirtle 5 years ago
With trichlorine, AKA the stuff from a reaction with urine and chlorine and the actual thing that gives off that stereotypical chlorine pool smell.
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Johannes Hutzelmann 5 years ago
Monday, in a public bath of Budapest, Hungary 91518097_6...002b2a.jpg 
Johannes Hutzelmann 5 years ago
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=641982779707374&id=195505851021738
#22
#23
Lily Bussan 5 years ago
They are not jeez take a joke not like they left em in there for ever.
Load More Replies... aliya moran 5 years ago
Seriously, why do people do this?? Just put it in ur yard with a 'free' sign attached to it.
#24
#25
#26
James Edwards 5 years ago
Thanks! I looked & looked and saw nothing and i'am wearing my glasses.
Load More Replies... Colleen Garland 5 years ago
I wasn't thrilled by the looks of the plants and then I saw aliya's comment. (love your name)
#27
Clare Amidei 5 years ago
Yeah all the ingredients are light (I know because I love baking)
Load More Replies... Avery S Alberico 5 years ago
WHY WASTE THE DELICIOUS CAKE, it's still funny though A+ for effort
Rather not Say 5 years ago
perhaps it was originally an accident and thought would be funny to use it for something else
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Lily Bussan 5 years ago
Why so many mad about this. Jeez of course they took it down. Same with the bikes and the scooters. Y'all need to chill.
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#29
Lily Bussan 5 years ago
FOR THE LAST TIME PEOPLE THEY TOOK IT OUT!! Y'ALL JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS
Load More Replies... Elaine Mattingly 5 years ago
Learn something new every day. Just assumed they were made in factorys. Wonder what kind of bait they used.
#31
Nature is healing, the aerodactylus are returning to Friedrichshain!
aliya moran 5 years ago
.... I'm sorry. nice message and everything, ...but the Photoshop job...😬
#35
Tom Osborne 5 years ago
Lol, a couple of, oh what do you call them, inbreds, no wait incels. A couple of incels will be sleeping alone tonight. Lol again, even inbreds get laid.
#36
Magpie 5 years ago
I think that is meant to be Mr Trump. ( usa president)
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#37
There is no doubt that us humans are the virus. Here is how México looks today. Mother nature is breathing again
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What do you think ?
earringnut 5 years ago
These posts are funny but they only drive the point that humans are a******s.
Daria B 5 years ago (edited)
Jokes aside, the "we are the virus" trend, during these times, is very insensitive. Preach this to the ones who lost somebody to the virus. Furthermore, it was amongst one of the sayings of fascism that "wars are the hygiene of the world" (see the connections before you start nitpicking on this one, and, hint: it's not about conspiracies, it's about lives lost, metaphors and comparisons). Don't know, I find that attitude disgusting, not ecological.
Noah Merrill 5 years ago
I'm glad you guys are realizing something unlike a lot of people on this bp.
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earringnut 5 years ago
These posts are funny but they only drive the point that humans are a******s.
Daria B 5 years ago (edited)
Jokes aside, the "we are the virus" trend, during these times, is very insensitive. Preach this to the ones who lost somebody to the virus. Furthermore, it was amongst one of the sayings of fascism that "wars are the hygiene of the world" (see the connections before you start nitpicking on this one, and, hint: it's not about conspiracies, it's about lives lost, metaphors and comparisons). Don't know, I find that attitude disgusting, not ecological.
Noah Merrill 5 years ago
I'm glad you guys are realizing something unlike a lot of people on this bp.
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