Twitter is at it again.
Well, not Twitter, but the people who misuse the social media site and decide to post/repost something, allowing potentially untrue information to spread like wildfire without any repercussions.
On Tuesday, a Twitter account that purports itself to be the official media account of the minister of foreign affairs in India sent out a tweet to its 200-something followers announcing the “death” of the Dalai Lama.
Here’s the tweet in question:
THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ANNOUNCES THE DEATH OF H.H. TENZIN GYATSO, THE 14TH DALAI LAMA TODAY IN DELHI
— Salman Khurshid (@IndiaMOFA) January 15, 2013
So, is the Dalai Lama dead or not dead? Most Twitter users have shrugged this off as another social media death rumor. Not to mention the fact that no official news agency has even hinted at it.
“Wanna kill who rumored Dalai Lama is no more,” read one tweet. (They may be taking it too far, but you get the point.)
Somewhere meshed in with people randomly quoting the Dalai Lama are other Twitter users discrediting the original tweet. Many think it’s nonsense.
The Dalai Lama now joins a host of other celebrities and luminaries who have been killed off by social media sites. Many times these subject turn into trending topics that further fans the rumor.
Some famous fake deaths revolve around comedian George Lopez, singer Taylor Swift, ass kicker Jackie Chan and even funnyman Eddie Murphy.
Reports of their demise were quickly squashed.
Some social media users also attempted to kill off Bill Cosby.
Here’s your lesson of the day: don’t believe the Twitter rumor mill.
