How to share a meme

My FaceBook feed continues to be deluged with shared memes. They are mostly political. Many exhibit faulty logic, or worse, down-right falsehoods. Too many people simply hit “share,” and move on without a second -- or even first -- thought. If you're about to hit that share button, DON'T! But if you absolutely must, here are five types of memes, and guidelines for whether or not to hit that tempting share button.

• LIKE AND SHARE IF  YOU AGREE: If it says that, you should probably  do neither. 

• OPINION: Fictional example: “The Flintstones cartoon depicted a sexist and unrealistic suburban stereotype that warped the minds of an entire generation.” Before you hit share, stop. Think. Do you really agree? And do you want all your FB friends to know this is your belief? If so, go for it! Tell the world! Adding a comment, “I’m glad I was able to shake off the Flintstones mind-washing!” tells your friends you at least put a little thought behind the share. Don’t get upset if someone politely disagrees. It’s just an opinion.

• FACT: If the meme purports to state fact, do a smattering of homework before sharing. “Suicide rates increased during every single airing of The Flintstones.” Debunking wild claims takes about two mouse clicks. Remember, the wilder the claim, the more it makes you upset or angry, the more likely it is either exaggerated or not true. Sharing a false meme perpetuates ignorance, makes the universe a little bit sadder, and will  make your friends think you’re an idiot. If a well meaning friend demonstrates that a “fact” is false, pull the post! It’s the right thing to do. (As an aside, Snopes is not a tool of the liberal media. There are plenty of Snopes entries debunking falsehoods about Republicans, including Trump.)

• WHATABOUTISM: This one is the worst, and perhaps most common, particularly in politics. Sometimes the meme will actually use the words “What about.” “What about the Jetsons? That show was even worse than the Flintstones, and nobody complains about it!” Whatever the Jetsons were up to doesn’t change what the Flintstones were. A current, political example: Just because Bill Clinton was an accused sexual predator doesn’t change the fact that Trump is too. So if the meme you’re about to share is Whataboutism, Don’t. Just. Don’t.

• CUTE ANIMALS: Everyone loves cute animals being cute. Share away!

So please, please, PLEASE THINK before you click to share a meme. And then don't. I’d much rather see something actually about you -- even selfies, or pictures of meals.  Except  cute animal memes. Always share cute animal memes.