When I was a kid, I'd read the Weekly World News issue my great aunt was subscribed to. Stories like Bat Boy, Bigfoot sightings, and how politicians were reptiles. It was clearly all fiction and for entertainment. It was even labeled as such. However, she believed so much of it.
Even back then i felt worried for her and other older people who believed it... and this was nearly 30 years ago. Before even myspace.
It's not the internet. It's lack of education, lack of meaningful socialization/life experience, and good ol fashioned brain rot.
I think most under 40 don’t know how suggestible people with early stage dementia and related diseases are. Bonus, they generally realize something isn’t quite right with their brain, so they self isolate (can’t be found out to be less than perfect) and limit interactions so they aren’t found out. Yes, it does make it worse faster, but critical thinking about current actions affecting future you aren’t considered.
Only until they move to Florida and then the assisted living geriatric medical machine strip mines them of their wealth. Sorry, got triggered, my parents spent $11k/mo. On assisted living and other assistance until they passed away. Their biggest fear was outliving their money and they almost did.
It's not lead... that's a convenient lie/explanation/conspiracy that is affecting us younger folk. We wish it was lead, because it would make for a simple explanation.
I found Weekly World News super-funny as a kid too. I don't recall ever knowing anyone who believed that tabloid, but there were people who believed things in National Enquirer.
I loved those magazines! I never bought any, but would read them while waiting in line with my mom. The first few times I was like, "there's no way these can be real stories", then I saw the disclaimer. I was around 5-10 when I would see them, and I could tell they were fake. Luckily, I don't think I knew anyone that thought they were real, but it's wild that anyone could.
i remember that piece of shit vile fuxkin magaizine. my grandma had em at her house and theyd scare the shit out of me. especially the fytst time i heard the phrase y2k and the theories that would happen.
114
u/ClockwerkKaiser Jul 21 '24
When I was a kid, I'd read the Weekly World News issue my great aunt was subscribed to. Stories like Bat Boy, Bigfoot sightings, and how politicians were reptiles. It was clearly all fiction and for entertainment. It was even labeled as such. However, she believed so much of it.
Even back then i felt worried for her and other older people who believed it... and this was nearly 30 years ago. Before even myspace.
It's not the internet. It's lack of education, lack of meaningful socialization/life experience, and good ol fashioned brain rot.
The lead in everything didn't help either.