Gregory Rodriguez Thesis

Essay two: Critique of “Truth is in the Ear of the Beholder”

Rumors have always been part of the human nature, satisfying people’s wants and acting as a means to provide a simplified explanation to complex situations. Gregory Rodriguez in the “Truth is in the Ear of the Beholder,” discusses how rumors thrive among people that are susceptible to believing them while also considering that the tendency to believe rumors is not defined by a specific class or education level. Rumors, as defined by Nicholas DiFonzo in “How Rumors Help Us Make Sense of an Uncertain World,” are “unverified information statements that circulate about topics that people perceive as important; arise in situations of ambiguity, threat, or potential threat; and are used

Rodrigues continues by informing us of how people can be susceptible to believing in false rumors, as well as some of the reasons why we believe them. In an effort to support his case, Rodriguez references the works of other authors such as Cass Sunstein and Robert H. Knapp, both of which have explored the ways that our beliefs and worries affect our acceptance of false rumors. The spreading and believing in false rumors has always been and is still an issue in our society. People will always turn to rumors when things get complicated. The specific details of the rumors change from one rumor to the next, but the basic definition and causes will always be the same. Uncertainties and insecurities lead to people believing false rumors that provide people with an explanation that satisfies their worries and wants. Looking at both sides of the argument, Rodriguez considers the fact that on one side you can argue that those who spread and believe false rumors are at fault for not doing their homework. However, you could also argue that they are making a fair effort to explain something that they find threatening. Rodriguez makes a logical approach with his argument, looking at and exploring some of the fundamental reasons that people are susceptible to believe false

If neither education nor profession is a leading factor, what is? The predominate factor that leads to believing a rumor is whether or not it feeds the needs of the particular audience. “Rumors and conspiracy theories,” Rodriguez explains, “often supply simplified, easily digestible explanations (and enemies) to sum up complex situations” (Rodriguez 221). Understanding that the needs and insecurities of people are the predominate factors that encourage people to believe rumors; it becomes obvious why rumors thrive when they cater to people’s needs, often providing a simplified explanation to a current situation. Similarly, Nicholas DiFonzo explains that “rumors also tend to arise in situations that pose a threat or potential threat—possibly to one’s welfare or even survival. This explains why rumor statements are generally considered important by rumor discussants” (244). People become more willing to accept rumors when they simplify a situation that they consider threatening; therefore, rumors are equally likely to be believed by anyone that considers a rumor to be an acceptable explanation to a threatening