The Sift: Thanksgiving special issue: A second helping of facts

There is plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday, including rising vaccination rates, especially among children, and the ability to reconnect with friends and family. But as misinformation continues to spread across social media feeds and family group chats, the conversational pitfalls of holiday gatherings can feel daunting. After all, as the recent Aspen Institute’s Commission on Information Disorder report points out, “America is in a crisis of trust and truth,” in which “bad information has become as prevalent, persuasive, and persistent as good information.”

The report also underscores that while widespread false information “is a symptom” of underlying inequities and problems and “not the root causes of society’s ills,” it results in real-world harm. “Disinformation,” the report notes, “pours lighter fluid on the sparks of discord that exist in every community.” Below are four tips to help you douse flare-ups sparked by falsehoods should they arise at your Thanksgiving celebration.

• Key point: Misinformation about vaccines creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear that makes opting out of or delaying shots seem like a good idea when it’s not. Many people who are vaccine hesitant are genuinely trying to make the best decision for themselves and their loved ones. Recognizing those underlying motivations can be a source of compassion as you patiently try to clarify the facts.
• Related: Koltai recently provided testimony, along with other experts, at the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis.

• Key points: People believe misinformation for a variety of reasons, but they’re often sincere and well-intentioned. So it’s important to engage false beliefs through conversation rather than confrontation, and to use patience, empathy and persistence (PEP). Preparing key phrases — such as, “That’s interesting. Can you tell me where you heard that?” and “Can we search for more information about this together?” — might help keep things in friendly and fruitful territory.
• Resource: Infographic: “How to speak up without starting a showdown” (NLP’s Resource Library).

• Key points: From digitally altered t-shirts and misleading photos of gas prices and empty store shelves, to scores of dangerous false claims about the COVID-19 vaccines and the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, our social media feeds have distorted the national conversation with a steady stream of nonsense. Learning to suss out bogus ideas and claims rooted in viral falsehoods can help you recognize opportunities to engage and present the facts.