Hot postings may tell only half the truth

Crowd, most of them Chinese tourists, watch an elephant show in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Feb 5. [Photo/IC]

A video showing a group of Chinese tourists frenziedly using plates to shovel up shrimps at a hotel buffet in Chiang Mai, Thailand, provoked much criticism for their behavior. The video was later confirmed to have been filmed and posted online about two years ago, and the true reason for their behavior was they had been given very little time to eat. Beijing Times comments:

The fundamental issue is how such old news could become such a hot topic.

One of the reasons is that as long as a message matches people's preconceptions, they will adopt it without hesitation and spread it even more widely. The message then substantially reinforces already existing prejudices.

From a psychological point of view, it is worth bearing in mind that scarcity promotes anxiety about shortages and thus the competition to claim the resources. Even in developed countries in the West, there are customers who compete to grab the best bargains during Christmas sales.

Faced with those who seek to fuel prejudices and stereotypes, media organizations should be responsible and verify the authenticity of posts such as this.