6 Comments

Do we know for sure that Orson Welles really did intend this as a prank? Or was he just trying to do the best, most realistic radio play he could?

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Seems like the latter to me

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also to add an additional layer to this example there are credible scholars of history who have questioned the extent of the whole 'mass hysteria'. I realise its a Slate piece but the sources with in it refers are credible. https://slate.com/culture/2013/10/orson-welles-war-of-the-worlds-panic-myth-the-infamous-radio-broadcast-did-not-cause-a-nationwide-hysteria.html

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"our systems are so broken now that I can’t quite figure out how to come at it" have you considered asking ChatGpt?

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Now would appear to be a good time for it: mass tension and hysteria, numerous unexpected wars in foreign countries, etc...

But yes, the angle could be a problem, as everything is already awful. AI on the loose? On the socials? Perhaps a bit "The Adolescence of P-1" flavoured?

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This was the granddaddy of Fake News.

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