It’s hard to fathom, but the latest Facebook trend claiming users can “win” shares from Mark Zuckerberg is nothing more than a myth. Yes, you read that right—Zuckerberg is not giving away 10% of his Facebook shares to a thousand random users. Here’s a pro tip: if something claims “this is not a hoax,” you can bet it absolutely is. Congratulations, you’ve just saved yourself some time that could have been spent copying and pasting.
This unfounded rumor seems to have gained traction after Zuckerberg and his partner, Sarah Jones, announced the birth of their child, coinciding with their pledge to donate a staggering $45 billion worth of Facebook shares to charitable causes. Shortly thereafter, these dubious posts began to circulate:
While the origins of this hoax remain unclear, Facebook has been quick to poke fun at the trend of copying and pasting status updates. Speaking of which, can we please put an end to the practice of urging people to share posts that they didn’t even write? It’s akin to being approached on the street to sign a petition. While many of those causes are indeed worthy, you likely don’t want to engage with strangers on every corner or feel guilty for declining a PETA pamphlet.
Take, for example, the common phrase that pops up: “Could you please post this for one hour to show support for those facing personal challenges?” No, you cannot. I know that’s what you’re thinking. But saying no makes you seem like the biggest jerk ever, so you’re left pretending you didn’t see it. And then, five minutes later, you’re making a lighthearted status about needing coffee, while your friend trying to change the world through typed empathy is left wondering what a bad friend you are.
Let’s be clear: copying and pasting a status on Facebook isn’t going to enrich anyone’s life. Neither is it solving any pressing issues. It’s similar to those posts urging you to “like” if you care about saving dolphins (or something equally arbitrary). Liking a Facebook post does not equate to actual action. Are we all on the same page here? Ignoring a Facebook appeal doesn’t make you a bad person; it simply means you understand that if we all fell for those schemes, our feeds would be inundated with them endlessly.
I certainly don’t need Facebook to resolve my financial dilemmas. I’ve got a reliable email correspondence with a supposed Nigerian prince who claims he’s got that covered.
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In summary, remind your friends to think critically before engaging with trends that seem too good to be true. The internet is rife with misinformation, and being aware can save everyone from unnecessary embarrassment.