1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,480 So picture this, you're in Florida, right? 2 00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:05,400 Hurricane warnings are all over the place. 3 00:00:05,400 --> 00:00:07,480 You're running around gathering supplies, 4 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:09,280 tensions are high, and then bam, 5 00:00:09,280 --> 00:00:11,320 you see a post on social media saying 6 00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:13,080 the government's controlling the hurricane. 7 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:16,040 Oh man, talk about stressful rally. 8 00:00:16,040 --> 00:00:16,880 Nice. 9 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:18,240 Like adding fuel to the fire. 10 00:00:18,240 --> 00:00:20,080 Totally, and it gets even wilder 11 00:00:20,080 --> 00:00:21,840 because we're not just talking about 12 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:23,720 random internet theories. 13 00:00:23,720 --> 00:00:24,740 This is Grant Cardone. 14 00:00:24,740 --> 00:00:26,680 We're talking about the Miami real estate guy. 15 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:29,480 Right, Miami New Times and Rolling Stone 16 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:30,720 picked up on it, and that's actually 17 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:31,960 what we're diving into today. 18 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:33,960 This whole thing about misinformation 19 00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:36,160 around hurricanes like Helene and Milton, 20 00:00:36,160 --> 00:00:38,720 this idea of the government manipulating the weather. 21 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:39,760 It's wild. 22 00:00:39,760 --> 00:00:43,040 Yeah, and Cardone's post really blew up 23 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:45,560 questioning if they were messing with 24 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:47,960 Hurricane Milton's path specifically. 25 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:49,480 And the thing is, he's not alone, 26 00:00:49,480 --> 00:00:51,000 and that's where it gets really interesting. 27 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:51,840 Oh really? 28 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:53,720 Yeah, you've got Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, 29 00:00:53,720 --> 00:00:55,840 she's known for promoting these kinds of theories, right? 30 00:00:55,840 --> 00:00:58,160 And she's saying similar stuff about weather control, 31 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:00,840 even suggesting there's a political agenda behind it. 32 00:01:00,840 --> 00:01:04,200 Wow, so it's not just about one hurricane anymore. 33 00:01:04,200 --> 00:01:06,240 It seems like there's a whole trend of this happening. 34 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:07,320 It's like a pattern, right? 35 00:01:07,320 --> 00:01:10,640 And it makes you wonder, why, now why are these theories, 36 00:01:10,640 --> 00:01:12,720 especially the ones about controlling the weather, 37 00:01:12,720 --> 00:01:14,400 gaining so much traction? 38 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:16,800 Urquanes aren't exactly a new thing. 39 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:18,600 Yeah, I mean, they're a fact of life in Florida 40 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:19,440 and other places. 41 00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:22,360 Exactly, but think about it, during a hurricane, 42 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:26,600 people are on edge, they're scared, they feel powerless, 43 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:28,800 and when you're facing something as massive 44 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:30,320 and unpredictable as a hurricane, 45 00:01:30,320 --> 00:01:32,600 people crave an explanation, 46 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:34,520 anything to make sense of the chaos. 47 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:36,480 So you're saying it's like grasping at straws, 48 00:01:36,480 --> 00:01:39,160 even if those straws lead to some pretty far-fetched 49 00:01:39,160 --> 00:01:40,000 explanations. 50 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:41,960 Exactly, and some of those explanations, 51 00:01:41,960 --> 00:01:44,080 even if they seem out there, 52 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:46,440 offer a sense of control in a situation 53 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:48,560 where people feel like they have none. 54 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:50,880 It's like, if you can blame someone or something, 55 00:01:50,880 --> 00:01:53,440 it makes it feel less random, less terrifying. 56 00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:55,920 Right, and then throw in all the political tension 57 00:01:55,920 --> 00:01:58,760 we've got going on, especially with the 2024 election 58 00:01:58,760 --> 00:01:59,720 just around the corner. 59 00:01:59,720 --> 00:02:01,400 Oh yeah, everything's already amplified. 60 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:04,080 It's like a recipe for disaster misinformation 61 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:07,120 spreads like wildfire in that kind of environment. 62 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:09,200 You've got fear, you've got uncertainty, 63 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:11,240 and you've got people who are already inclined 64 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:14,360 to believe the worst about those in power. 65 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:17,520 So, okay, we've got all these theories swirling around, 66 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:20,360 but what's the reality check here? 67 00:02:20,360 --> 00:02:24,440 How are actual meteorologists responding 68 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:26,200 to these claims about hurricanes 69 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:27,320 being steered by the government? 70 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:29,280 Well, you've got these respected meteorologists 71 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:31,280 like Brian McNulty down in Miami, 72 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:32,360 and he's basically like, nope. 73 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:33,480 Nope, that's it, just nope. 74 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:34,320 Yeah, right. 75 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:36,120 It sounds kind of funny, like overly simple, 76 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:37,760 but McNulty's point comes down to looking 77 00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:39,440 at the history of hurricanes. 78 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:41,560 I mean, he's saying that a category five hurricane 79 00:02:41,560 --> 00:02:43,920 like Milton, yeah, it's a big deal, it's serious, 80 00:02:43,920 --> 00:02:45,640 but there's nothing really abnormal 81 00:02:45,640 --> 00:02:46,840 about the way it moved. 82 00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:48,920 Hurricanes have followed similar paths before 83 00:02:48,920 --> 00:02:51,080 so that, nope, it's basically him saying, 84 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:52,960 hey, just because something seems unusual 85 00:02:52,960 --> 00:02:54,680 or even unprecedented doesn't mean 86 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:56,400 there's some big conspiracy behind it. 87 00:02:56,400 --> 00:02:58,560 So it's about looking at the bigger picture, 88 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:00,040 the historical context. 89 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:03,280 Exactly, and another meteorologist, Matthew Cappucci, 90 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:05,480 he put it in a way that really stuck with me. 91 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:08,440 He said, it's like not knowing how yogurt is made. 92 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:10,440 Just because you don't understand the process 93 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:11,880 doesn't mean there's something shady 94 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:13,200 going on behind the scenes. 95 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:15,520 I like that analogy, but let's be real here. 96 00:03:15,520 --> 00:03:19,000 This isn't just about debunking theories for fun. 97 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:21,200 What are the real world consequences 98 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:23,440 when people actually buy into this stuff? 99 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:25,400 Yeah, this is where it gets serious. 100 00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:27,080 The articles talk about how FEMA 101 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:29,080 actually had to create a whole webpage 102 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:31,800 just to address hurricane misinformation. 103 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:34,280 Wow, a dedicated rumor response cage. 104 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:35,520 That's kind of scary, actually. 105 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:37,880 Right, that alone should tell you how big of a deal this is, 106 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:40,320 how these rumors can really impact things. 107 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:42,240 And the White House has even weighed in on this. 108 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:44,640 They're saying they're worried that this kind of misinformation 109 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:47,360 could literally have life or death consequences. 110 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:48,200 Oh, wow. 111 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:49,640 Because think about it, if people believe 112 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:52,600 the government is intentionally causing harm, 113 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:54,880 they're less likely to trust official warnings 114 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:57,120 and might not evacuate when they should. 115 00:03:57,120 --> 00:03:58,960 That's scary because in those situations, 116 00:03:58,960 --> 00:04:01,200 trusting the information coming from authorities 117 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:02,720 could actually save your life. 118 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:04,760 Absolutely, and it's important to remember 119 00:04:04,760 --> 00:04:06,680 this isn't just a hurricane thing. 120 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:08,440 Misinformation during any crisis, 121 00:04:08,440 --> 00:04:12,120 whether it's a natural disaster, a pandemic, 122 00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:14,800 any kind of emergency, it can be really damaging. 123 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:16,480 So you're saying this goes way beyond 124 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:18,480 just hurricanes and weather events. 125 00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:22,160 Exactly, think about other crises we've lived through. 126 00:04:22,160 --> 00:04:23,880 One myth that always seems to pop up 127 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:27,440 is that looting always skyrockets after a hurricane. 128 00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:29,160 Oh, yeah, I've definitely heard that one. 129 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:31,120 But it's interesting because studies have actually 130 00:04:31,120 --> 00:04:34,560 shown that crime often goes down after a hurricane. 131 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:37,760 Communities often come together, they don't fall apart. 132 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:39,200 Huh, that's not what you'd expect. 133 00:04:39,200 --> 00:04:42,720 Right, but this perception of widespread lawlessness, 134 00:04:42,720 --> 00:04:45,200 it creates fear and distrust, 135 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:47,360 and that can actually hinder relief efforts. 136 00:04:47,360 --> 00:04:48,520 It's like a domino effect. 137 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:52,080 Even seemingly small myths can have these huge consequences. 138 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:54,200 Exactly, and there are other examples too, 139 00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:56,800 like this idea that hotels are legally required 140 00:04:56,800 --> 00:04:58,680 to accept pets during evacuation. 141 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:00,400 Oh yeah, I've seen people sharing that online, 142 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:01,880 like they're trying to help pet owners. 143 00:05:01,880 --> 00:05:04,040 And it comes from a good place, right? 144 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:06,400 But spreading inaccurate information, 145 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:07,960 even with good intentions, 146 00:05:07,960 --> 00:05:10,640 it just adds to the chaos and confusion. 147 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:12,880 And especially when people are already vulnerable 148 00:05:12,880 --> 00:05:15,040 and looking for guidance, it's just a good reminder 149 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:17,360 to be really careful about what we're sharing, 150 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:19,440 especially during emergencies. 151 00:05:19,440 --> 00:05:21,800 So we're dealing with this massive wave of information, 152 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:24,080 especially during a hurricane. 153 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:26,040 Things are crazy, you're glued to your phone 154 00:05:26,040 --> 00:05:28,160 trying to figure out what's real, what's not. 155 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:30,080 Rumors are spreading left and right. 156 00:05:30,080 --> 00:05:32,680 How do we even begin to spot misinformation 157 00:05:32,680 --> 00:05:33,520 in all of this? 158 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:34,840 That's the big question, right? 159 00:05:34,840 --> 00:05:36,200 It's something we all struggle with, 160 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:39,880 especially now with how fast things spread online. 161 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:41,680 But I think a big part of it is really simple. 162 00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:43,040 It's about being more critical 163 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:45,400 about what we see in here, 164 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:47,520 not just accepting everything at face value, 165 00:05:47,520 --> 00:05:48,800 especially online. 166 00:05:48,800 --> 00:05:50,920 Okay, so critical thinking makes sense. 167 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:53,240 But when you're in a hurricane situation, 168 00:05:53,240 --> 00:05:55,600 every second feels important, you're stressed, 169 00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:57,240 you're just trying to stay safe. 170 00:05:57,240 --> 00:05:59,360 How do we actually put that into practice? 171 00:05:59,360 --> 00:06:00,240 Yeah, no, you're right. 172 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:01,720 It's definitely easier said than done 173 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:03,280 when you're under pressure. 174 00:06:03,280 --> 00:06:04,240 So think about it this way. 175 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:05,200 Start with your sources. 176 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:07,680 Like who's actually giving you this information? 177 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:09,480 Are you looking at those official channels 178 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:12,200 like FEMA NoAA, the National Weather Service? 179 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:14,440 Are you listening to meteorologists 180 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:16,960 who actually have a good track record? 181 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:19,360 Or is it just some random account on social media 182 00:06:19,360 --> 00:06:21,840 chain message you got from who knows where? 183 00:06:21,840 --> 00:06:23,520 So before we hit that share button, 184 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:25,240 it's worth asking ourselves, 185 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:26,680 hold on, where did I even hear this? 186 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:28,120 Should I really be passing this along? 187 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:32,400 Exactly, and it's not always about cold hard facts either. 188 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:34,120 We gotta remember the human element. 189 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:36,160 Hurricanes are terrifying events. 190 00:06:36,160 --> 00:06:38,840 And when we're scared, we don't always think straight. 191 00:06:38,840 --> 00:06:40,800 Sometimes just wanting an explanation, 192 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:42,240 even if it's a little out there, 193 00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:44,240 is just a natural reaction. 194 00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:47,200 It's that feeling of there has to be a reason for this. 195 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:49,880 Even when deep down, you're not even sure if you believe it. 196 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:54,120 Absolutely, and even wanting to be helpful can backfire 197 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:55,760 if we're not careful about what we share. 198 00:06:55,760 --> 00:06:57,920 We've all seen those posts online, 199 00:06:57,920 --> 00:06:59,280 the ones that are well intentioned, 200 00:06:59,280 --> 00:07:01,160 but they end up being totally wrong. 201 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:03,280 Like about shelters being open when they're not, 202 00:07:03,280 --> 00:07:05,200 or organizations needing donations 203 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:06,480 when they've actually got plenty. 204 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:07,480 Oh man, those are the words, 205 00:07:07,480 --> 00:07:08,560 because you think you're helping, 206 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:10,360 but you're actually making things more confusing. 207 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:13,240 Exactly, and it just shows how social media 208 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:15,800 can be both a blessing and a curse. 209 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:18,400 On one hand, platforms like TikTok, 210 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:21,200 they can be lifesavers during a hurricane. 211 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:23,360 People can share updates, warnings, 212 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:25,360 connect with each other in real time. 213 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:26,600 You get that firsthand look 214 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:28,360 at what's actually happening on the ground. 215 00:07:28,360 --> 00:07:30,360 It's like a direct line to the human impact. 216 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:31,200 Yeah. 217 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:32,200 You know, you're seeing it through the eyes 218 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:33,960 of the people who are actually there. 219 00:07:33,960 --> 00:07:36,720 Exactly, but on the flip side, 220 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:39,080 these platforms can also be like a breeding round 221 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:40,360 for misinformation. 222 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:43,120 It spreads so fast, and there's this real need 223 00:07:43,120 --> 00:07:45,760 for better ways to control what's being shared, 224 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:47,320 especially during emergencies 225 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:49,760 when lives are literally on the line. 226 00:07:49,760 --> 00:07:52,720 Yeah, it's such a tough balance to strike, 227 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:53,920 because you want people to be able 228 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:57,760 to share information freely, especially in a crisis, 229 00:07:57,760 --> 00:08:00,520 but not at the expense of safety, you know? 230 00:08:00,520 --> 00:08:02,600 You're right, it's a really complex issue, 231 00:08:02,600 --> 00:08:05,080 and it's something we all need to think about. 232 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:08,000 If misinformation takes root when we feel powerless, 233 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:11,040 how can we fight back with accurate information? 234 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:13,880 How can we support those affected by disasters 235 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:15,680 in a way that truly helps 236 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:18,160 and doesn't just add to the chaos? 237 00:08:18,160 --> 00:08:19,600 That's something we can all think about 238 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:21,520 as we try to navigate this crazy world 239 00:08:21,520 --> 00:08:23,280 of information overload. 240 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:25,000 It's a lot to unpack, and it's definitely something 241 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:26,480 to keep in mind the next time you're scrolling 242 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:28,920 through your feet, especially when the stakes are high. 243 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:30,240 Thanks for breaking all this down with me. 244 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:40,240 No problem, always glad to chat about this stuff.