How to Stop People From Filling Your Ears with Nonsense They Read Online

[Ozanne]

Everyone seems to know that one person who likes to tell you a thing or two outrageous. Whether you’re at work and they corner you while you’re on a break, or it’s a family member you can’t avoid at Christmas – chances are you will be faced with them, and I thought I’d share my quick fix to get people to stop telling you nonsense they’ve heard online.

I can’t cure personal gossip. I’m referring to the kind of information that people read online or get information for a non-credible source. “Information” like, “Did you hear an alien was found in Brazil?” “Did you know they found a homeless man who was identified as Elvis?” I’m writing this because someone asked me the other day how they can get their friend to stop with their know-it-all nonsense without being rude.

It’s a short MyTake, so enjoy! Just have your mobile device ready to go on Google, and when someone tells you something they think you haven’t heard. Type into to Google exactly what they just said, but add the word “hoax” at the end, then Search. Chances are, you’ll get tons of hits debunking whatever it is they’ve told you.

After a few times of deflating their balloon, they’ll learn pretty fast that they should either make sure their facts are straight before they tell you something, or else they’ll learn that you’re the wrong person to keep bothering with their news because they’ll hate to look foolish with you each time.

[Bluemax]

Nice to see you again, Ozanne.

Something like this happened while waiting for my return flight to Los Angeles day before yesterday. I was having a good convo with a group of Portlanders. Nice people they were. We talked about our experiences in Alaska. Anyways, this fellow sat down and asked about bars and entertainment in Portland. He was a member of the Asatru religion (worships Norse gods). *SERIOUSLY* reminded me of a friend of mine who now (sadly) resides in a niche in Arlington. Full of bluster. Any rate, he went on to speak of historical proof that Odin is real and walked the earth, that Atlantis is real, alien autopsies, etc.

I found him to be an amusing way to pass an hour and a half. I usually said, "I'm skeptical because..."

He wanted to switch seating assignments to sit next to me. I told him I feared I would not be good company as I would be sleeping. A white lie for sure.

[Bluemax]

P. S. Alaska seems to be *FULL* of conspiracy theorists. I could not sit down in a diner for 5 minutes before overhearing someone talking about jet contrails altering the weather, black helicopters and the U. N., 9-11 not being real, etc.

[Ozanne]

Thanks, Blue :)
The first thing out of my mouth most times is, "Ohhh I donnno, I'm not convinced." I probably annoy a lot of my friends and family because I'm their skeptical friend. I'm *always* asking for proof, and to provide a credible source. I've done that here too on this site, and when I don't get a response, that says it all.

[redeyemindtricks]

"I could not sit down in a diner for 5 minutes before overhearing someone talking about..."

^^ This seems to be par for the course in basically any super rural area.

[abundantlyrich]

Tourette's syndrome

[Unit1]

I just stopped talking altogether with people, who are filling me with nonsense.
My parents have fed me with plenty of lies and nonsense and misguided me, that I stopped talking to avoid nonsense as much as I can.

[Zorax]

I know what you mean, such people are so annoying... very good Take.

[Chitwnfootluver]

You dont believe everything You hear