# Posted a Snopes link debunking a Facebook post - unfriended? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 14, 2015, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803 "2015-08-14T02:44:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2015, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/61 "2015-08-16T23:34:30Z")
Truth hurts. ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2015, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/62 "2015-08-16T23:46:00Z")
> [@Truman\_Burbank](#): > > I do it all the time, maybe it’s a character flaw, but I never regret it. You post bullshit, you gotta pay the consequences…it amazes me that several relatives never seem to learn, never think to check before posting. I never regret it, though occasionally I have regret about the believing the credibility of the person who posted it. For example, many times I have come across the “Money Bags” or “Silver Pockets Full” and its variations: August 2015 is considered lucky by the Chinese because it has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays, and 5 Sundays. This only happens once every 823 years. Well, you don’t even need Snopes to disprove this bullshit; any calendar app will do. There are only 7 possible calendar days August or any other month can start on, and only two versions of the calendar in common use: the regular one and the leap-year one. Do the math. So when I point out that August 2015 actually started on a Saturday, but August 2014 had that “once in 823 years” thing going on, sometimes people react well while others say nothing. It really points to a disturbing lack of fact checking by many gullible people everywhere. Also, if you say “ORANGE” very very slowly, it sounds like “gullible.” ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/63 "2015-08-17T01:16:43Z")
> [@Biffster](#): > > Also, if you say “ORANGE” very very slowly, it sounds like “gullible.” no it doesn… damnit. ---
**Author:** ![hotflungwok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/64 "2015-08-17T03:58:22Z")
I have to do this far more often than I’d like. My parents send out the worst Republican ‘Obama eats babies!!!’ type emails all the time. I shoot them done when I see them. Of course, they get mad at me for doing it, cuz obviously it’s wrong of me to point out that they’re wrong. And even after showing them that they’re wrong, and trying to discuss it with them, they still believe it. My dad likes to say ‘Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one’ in response to fact. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/65 "2015-08-17T12:43:40Z")
> [@hotflungwok](#): > > My dad likes to say ‘Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one’ in response to fact. You should send him [this article](http://www.houstonpress.com/arts/no-it-s-not-your-opinion-you-re-just-wrong-updated-7611752). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/66 "2015-08-17T13:11:20Z")
My facebook page is open to people I work with, so I am extremely careful about what I say and never say anything remotely controversial. Which also means, unless it’s about my organization, I am not inclined to correct people, either. I was disappointed to see that a man I liked and respected was fervently anti-choice, to the point of believing that Planned Parenthood was really a sinister black ops sort of organization, harvesting babies and eating them, or something. I just blocked those posts - I am sorry to have learned his views, as I won’t ever look at him the same way, but it’s not my place to correct him. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/67 "2015-08-17T14:26:39Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I was disappointed to see that a man I liked and respected was fervently anti-choice, to the point of believing that Planned Parenthood was really a sinister black ops sort of organization, harvesting babies and eating them, or something. I just blocked those posts - I am sorry to have learned his views, as I won’t ever look at him the same way, but it’s not my place to correct him. I don’t mean to be confrontational, but if this man is spreading hurtful lies and you know that they are hurtful lies, then why _isn’t_ your “job”(ethical responsibility) to correct him? If not you, then who? ---
**Author:** ![eclectic\_wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ac91a4/32.png) [@eclectic\_wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eclectic_wench)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/68 "2015-08-17T15:06:16Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I’ve found it helps if I put it like, “I looked it up, and fortunately, it’s not true.” Most people seem to be relieved that way. Yeah, I aim for the same tone. Like I’m all relieved to discover this one isn’t true, even if it’s something that I can’t believe anyone with more than two brain cells would even consider for a second. Partly that’s because I’m more likely to get through to people that way, but partly it’s because I figure even smart people have stupid spots. Sooner or later I’m going to be the idiot who falls for the obvious bollix, and I hope someone enlightens me nicely rather than being a superior little prick about it, so I try not to be a superior little prick when I’m doing the enlightening. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/69 "2015-08-17T17:21:31Z")
> [@hotflungwok](#): > > My dad likes to say ‘Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one’ in response to fact. “Well, Opinions are not facts, and only facts are true. Insisting the sun is blue because it’s your opinion doesn’t make it blue.” ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/70 "2015-08-17T17:41:46Z")
I reposted something a few weeks ago, not realizing it was from a hoax website. Basically, a man in Florida (of course) was arrested for having a tied-up alligator in his yard and raping it. According to police, he claimed the gator tried to attack him while he was fishing, so he captured it and this was his revenge. Police said the gator suffered "relatively minor’ injuries. Snort. I found out later it was a hoax, but left it up, acknowledging my error. The man’s mugshot was real. He had been arrested for sexually abusing a peacock. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/71 "2015-08-17T17:59:35Z")
When it comes to posting a Snopes link in response to nonsense on Facebook, just consider your audience. If it’s that crazy conspiracy theorist uncle or cousin, that everyone has, you’re not going to change his mind. Just let him post his drivel and move on. If it bothers you, just turn off his feed. In general, unfriending people is more hassle than it’s worth, particularly when it’s family or one friend in a larger circle. I have family members that just post whiny “OMG my life sucks” or “Here’s your random ultra right/left propaganda of the day”, and if it annoys me, I just turn off their feed. In general, though, I have posted Snopes links, but only when I’m sure the person will take it as I intend, which is meant as a kind gesture. And in all of that, I’ve never unfriended anyone for disagreeing with me. Hell, I’ve only ever unfriended one person in my life, and that was because he betrayed me and I didn’t want to associate with him anymore. Even for women I’ve dated, they’ve always unfriended me before I ever felt compelled to bother. I certainly wouldn’t unfriend over a silly Snopes; personally, I’d be glad someone was willing and able to correct me on my ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/72 "2015-08-17T18:14:15Z")
Posting a Snopes link isn’t only for the benefit of the person who is spreading nonsense, though-it is also for the benefit of all those that _receive_ the nonsense from that person through Facebook. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/73 "2015-08-17T20:13:32Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > “Well, Opinions are not facts, and only facts are true. Insisting the sun is blue because it’s your opinion doesn’t make it blue.” It does if you stare at it long enough. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/74 "2015-08-17T20:20:04Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I don’t mean to be confrontational, but if this man is spreading hurtful lies and you know that they are hurtful lies, then why _isn’t_ your “job”(ethical responsibility) to correct him? If not you, then who? I shortened my entire post to say: I just don’t. It is not my responsibility to police the whole world. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/75 "2015-08-17T20:50:35Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I shortened my entire post to say: I just don’t. It is not my responsibility to police the whole world. That only answers half of my query, though. Since Facebook isn’t going to correct the misinformation he is spreading, who(if anyone) do you think should? I think that when it comes to Facebook, _we_ are the only “policemen” the place has got when it comes to pointing out what is hateful disinformation and what is reality. ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/76 "2015-08-18T19:58:25Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > It does if you stare at it long enough. Yes!!! You win the Internet! ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/77 "2015-08-18T20:50:52Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > That only answers half of my query, though. Since Facebook isn’t going to correct the misinformation he is spreading, who(if anyone) do you think should? I think that when it comes to Facebook, _we_ are the only “policemen” the place has got when it comes to pointing out what is hateful disinformation and what is reality. How come you never mentioned you were part of the internet police? This guy has been looking for you. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG1h-BAYSbE) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/78 "2015-08-18T20:56:50Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > How come you never mentioned you were part of the internet police? This guy has been looking for you. > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG1h-BAYSbE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG1h-BAYSbE) If it isn’t my favorite stalker! Got anything to say about the topic of the thread itself? ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/79 "2015-08-18T20:57:51Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Posting a Snopes link isn’t only for the benefit of the person who is spreading nonsense, though-it is also for the benefit of all those that _receive_ the nonsense from that person through Facebook. That’s actually the main reason I did it. She had already had one response jumping on the (old and creaky) bandwagon of boycotting Starbucks. I thought it would be a good idea to cut that short if possible. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803/80 "2015-08-18T21:29:20Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > That’s actually the main reason I did it. She had already had one response jumping on the (old and creaky) bandwagon of boycotting Starbucks. I thought it would be a good idea to cut that short if possible. That’s pretty much why I do it. It has little to do with being any sort of “police”, and more to do with counteracting, _just a bit_, the nastiness and bullshit that some people spread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-a-snopes-link-debunking-a-facebook-post-unfriended/727803.md?page=5)