Before the internet existed, before the rampant path of ignorance cut by misinformed graphic posts on Facebook, rumors still made their rounds. Though, the internet undoubtedly assists those who perpetuate the inaccurate in making sure their rumors continue to spread like wildfire even in the face of an age where confirmation of a story is but a Google search away.
For example:
Several decades after the Vietnam War ended, American actress Jane Fonda still endures the hatred of many misinformed Americans due to prevalent rumors that she passed covert messages given to her by American prisoners of war during her visits with them to their captors. She was thus labeled a traitor, and since, has been the butt of internet graphics as above, the object of enmity of any who heard and believed the rumor, and even the victim of people spitting on her at book signings because they bought this ongoing defamation of character.
And all this because people refuse to check the readily-available facts of the situation rather than simply believing what they see and hear.
In the age of information, ignorance is not an acceptable reason to continue to slander another human being. In the age of information, not confirming the details of a situation before you render judgment is not acceptable, either.
Google exists for a reason. Use it.
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