So picture this, you're in Florida, right?
Hurricane warnings are all over the place.
You're running around gathering supplies,
tensions are high, and then bam,
you see a post on social media saying
the government's controlling the hurricane.
Oh man, talk about stressful rally.
Nice.
Like adding fuel to the fire.
Totally, and it gets even wilder
because we're not just talking about
random internet theories.
This is Grant Cardone.
We're talking about the Miami real estate guy.
Right, Miami New Times and Rolling Stone
picked up on it, and that's actually
what we're diving into today.
This whole thing about misinformation
around hurricanes like Helene and Milton,
this idea of the government manipulating the weather.
It's wild.
Yeah, and Cardone's post really blew up
questioning if they were messing with
Hurricane Milton's path specifically.
And the thing is, he's not alone,
and that's where it gets really interesting.
Oh really?
Yeah, you've got Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene,
she's known for promoting these kinds of theories, right?
And she's saying similar stuff about weather control,
even suggesting there's a political agenda behind it.
Wow, so it's not just about one hurricane anymore.
It seems like there's a whole trend of this happening.
It's like a pattern, right?
And it makes you wonder, why, now why are these theories,
especially the ones about controlling the weather,
gaining so much traction?
Urquanes aren't exactly a new thing.
Yeah, I mean, they're a fact of life in Florida
and other places.
Exactly, but think about it, during a hurricane,
people are on edge, they're scared, they feel powerless,
and when you're facing something as massive
and unpredictable as a hurricane,
people crave an explanation,
anything to make sense of the chaos.
So you're saying it's like grasping at straws,
even if those straws lead to some pretty far-fetched
explanations.
Exactly, and some of those explanations,
even if they seem out there,
offer a sense of control in a situation
where people feel like they have none.
It's like, if you can blame someone or something,
it makes it feel less random, less terrifying.
Right, and then throw in all the political tension
we've got going on, especially with the 2024 election
just around the corner.
Oh yeah, everything's already amplified.
It's like a recipe for disaster misinformation
spreads like wildfire in that kind of environment.
You've got fear, you've got uncertainty,
and you've got people who are already inclined
to believe the worst about those in power.
So, okay, we've got all these theories swirling around,
but what's the reality check here?
How are actual meteorologists responding
to these claims about hurricanes
being steered by the government?
Well, you've got these respected meteorologists
like Brian McNulty down in Miami,
and he's basically like, nope.
Nope, that's it, just nope.
Yeah, right.
It sounds kind of funny, like overly simple,
but McNulty's point comes down to looking
at the history of hurricanes.
I mean, he's saying that a category five hurricane
like Milton, yeah, it's a big deal, it's serious,
but there's nothing really abnormal
about the way it moved.
Hurricanes have followed similar paths before
so that, nope, it's basically him saying,
hey, just because something seems unusual
or even unprecedented doesn't mean
there's some big conspiracy behind it.
So it's about looking at the bigger picture,
the historical context.
Exactly, and another meteorologist, Matthew Cappucci,
he put it in a way that really stuck with me.
He said, it's like not knowing how yogurt is made.
Just because you don't understand the process
doesn't mean there's something shady
going on behind the scenes.
I like that analogy, but let's be real here.
This isn't just about debunking theories for fun.
What are the real world consequences
when people actually buy into this stuff?
Yeah, this is where it gets serious.
The articles talk about how FEMA
actually had to create a whole webpage
just to address hurricane misinformation.
Wow, a dedicated rumor response cage.
That's kind of scary, actually.
Right, that alone should tell you how big of a deal this is,
how these rumors can really impact things.
And the White House has even weighed in on this.
They're saying they're worried that this kind of misinformation
could literally have life or death consequences.
Oh, wow.
Because think about it, if people believe
the government is intentionally causing harm,
they're less likely to trust official warnings
and might not evacuate when they should.
That's scary because in those situations,
trusting the information coming from authorities
could actually save your life.
Absolutely, and it's important to remember
this isn't just a hurricane thing.
Misinformation during any crisis,
whether it's a natural disaster, a pandemic,
any kind of emergency, it can be really damaging.
So you're saying this goes way beyond
just hurricanes and weather events.
Exactly, think about other crises we've lived through.
One myth that always seems to pop up
is that looting always skyrockets after a hurricane.
Oh, yeah, I've definitely heard that one.
But it's interesting because studies have actually
shown that crime often goes down after a hurricane.
Communities often come together, they don't fall apart.
Huh, that's not what you'd expect.
Right, but this perception of widespread lawlessness,
it creates fear and distrust,
and that can actually hinder relief efforts.
It's like a domino effect.
Even seemingly small myths can have these huge consequences.
Exactly, and there are other examples too,
like this idea that hotels are legally required
to accept pets during evacuation.
Oh yeah, I've seen people sharing that online,
like they're trying to help pet owners.
And it comes from a good place, right?
But spreading inaccurate information,
even with good intentions,
it just adds to the chaos and confusion.
And especially when people are already vulnerable
and looking for guidance, it's just a good reminder
to be really careful about what we're sharing,
especially during emergencies.
So we're dealing with this massive wave of information,
especially during a hurricane.
Things are crazy, you're glued to your phone
trying to figure out what's real, what's not.
Rumors are spreading left and right.
How do we even begin to spot misinformation
in all of this?
That's the big question, right?
It's something we all struggle with,
especially now with how fast things spread online.
But I think a big part of it is really simple.
It's about being more critical
about what we see in here,
not just accepting everything at face value,
especially online.
Okay, so critical thinking makes sense.
But when you're in a hurricane situation,
every second feels important, you're stressed,
you're just trying to stay safe.
How do we actually put that into practice?
Yeah, no, you're right.
It's definitely easier said than done
when you're under pressure.
So think about it this way.
Start with your sources.
Like who's actually giving you this information?
Are you looking at those official channels
like FEMA NoAA, the National Weather Service?
Are you listening to meteorologists
who actually have a good track record?
Or is it just some random account on social media
chain message you got from who knows where?
So before we hit that share button,
it's worth asking ourselves,
hold on, where did I even hear this?
Should I really be passing this along?
Exactly, and it's not always about cold hard facts either.
We gotta remember the human element.
Hurricanes are terrifying events.
And when we're scared, we don't always think straight.
Sometimes just wanting an explanation,
even if it's a little out there,
is just a natural reaction.
It's that feeling of there has to be a reason for this.
Even when deep down, you're not even sure if you believe it.
Absolutely, and even wanting to be helpful can backfire
if we're not careful about what we share.
We've all seen those posts online,
the ones that are well intentioned,
but they end up being totally wrong.
Like about shelters being open when they're not,
or organizations needing donations
when they've actually got plenty.
Oh man, those are the words,
because you think you're helping,
but you're actually making things more confusing.
Exactly, and it just shows how social media
can be both a blessing and a curse.
On one hand, platforms like TikTok,
they can be lifesavers during a hurricane.
People can share updates, warnings,
connect with each other in real time.
You get that firsthand look
at what's actually happening on the ground.
It's like a direct line to the human impact.
Yeah.
You know, you're seeing it through the eyes
of the people who are actually there.
Exactly, but on the flip side,
these platforms can also be like a breeding round
for misinformation.
It spreads so fast, and there's this real need
for better ways to control what's being shared,
especially during emergencies
when lives are literally on the line.
Yeah, it's such a tough balance to strike,
because you want people to be able
to share information freely, especially in a crisis,
but not at the expense of safety, you know?
You're right, it's a really complex issue,
and it's something we all need to think about.
If misinformation takes root when we feel powerless,
how can we fight back with accurate information?
How can we support those affected by disasters
in a way that truly helps
and doesn't just add to the chaos?
That's something we can all think about
as we try to navigate this crazy world
of information overload.
It's a lot to unpack, and it's definitely something
to keep in mind the next time you're scrolling
through your feet, especially when the stakes are high.
Thanks for breaking all this down with me.
No problem, always glad to chat about this stuff.