FLIP – An in-depth look at Mimikama’s approach to identifying fake news

The ability to identify fake news, false claims, propaganda and disinformation is critical in today's digital world. With the rapid spread of information and the rise of social media, false news is ubiquitous.

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We have developed an innovative approach:
the Mimikama “FLIP” principle.

This acronym stands for “ Questions , Logic , Interests , Plausibility ” and offers a simple but effective method for identifying fake news, false claims, propaganda and disinformation.

Questions

The first step in applying the FLIP principle is to ask critical questions.
Ask yourself: Where does the information come from? Who published it? Is the source trustworthy? For example, if a message is shared on social media without citing a reliable source, this should be a first warning sign. Take the time to check the source and look for more information.

logic

The next step is the logical analysis of the information.
Does it make sense? Does it fit what we already know or understand? For example, information that claims that the Earth is flat contradicts generally accepted scientific understanding. Such information should be viewed with skepticism.

Interests

Now you should consider the possible interests behind the information.
Who benefits from disseminating this information? For example, if a political party spreads negative information about an opponent, it may have an interest in strengthening its voter base or sowing doubt about its opponent.

plausibility

Finally, evaluate the plausibility of the information.
Does it agree with what we know about the world? For example, if a report claims that a widely used drug is suddenly showing serious side effects, you should ask yourself whether this is consistent with current medical knowledge and previous studies on that drug.

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Illustration of the Mimikama “FLIP” principle using an example

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Suppose you read a message on social media claiming that COVID-19 vaccines contain microchips that are used to monitor the population. How can you apply the FLIP principle here?

• Questions :
  Where does this information come from?
  Is the source reliable and trustworthy?
  Does it have a reputation for accurate and unbiased reporting?
• Logic :
  Does the claim make sense?
  Is it technically and practically feasible to incorporate microchips into vaccines that are subtle enough to go unnoticed by medical personnel?
• Interests :
  Who could benefit from spreading this claim?
  Could it be that someone is trying to incite fear or distrust of vaccines or governments?
• Plausibility :
  Is the claim consistent with what we know about the vaccines and their development and production?
  Have independent and trustworthy sources confirmed this claim?

By applying the FLIP principle, we can make an informed assessment of the credibility of such claims and thus help curb the spread of fake news. In a world increasingly overwhelmed by information, this is no easy task, but it is a crucial one if we are to guard against manipulation by misinformation.

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Another simple example:

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Suppose you see a news story claiming that aliens have visited Earth.

QUESTIONS:
First, ask yourself who published the information. Is it a trustworthy source or an unknown website?

LOGIC:
Then consider whether the claim is logical. Do aliens fit into our current understanding of the universe?

INTERESTS:
Now consider who might benefit from this information. Is it a website that makes money from clicks on sensational stories?

PLAUSIBILITY:
Then evaluate how plausible the information is. Have we found any evidence of extraterrestrial life so far?

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Guide: How to Apply the Mimikama “FLIP” Principle to Identify Fake News

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Step 1: Questions

When you see a piece of information or a message, first ask yourself where it came from.
Who published it?
Is the source reliable? It's always good to invest an extra minute to check if the source is trustworthy.

Step 2: Logic

Then consider whether the information is logical.
Does it fit what you already know?
If a claim doesn't seem logical or contradicts what you already know, be skeptical.

Step 3: Interests

Consider who might benefit from disseminating the information.
For example, if the message comes from a political party, it may be in their interest to disseminate or suppress certain information.

Step 4: Plausibility

Evaluate how likely the information is.
Does it fit what we know about the world? If a claim seems very surprising or unlikely, be careful.

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Conclusion : Mimikama's FLIP principle is intended to provide Internet users with a valuable guide to debunk false reports and deal with information critically. At a time when the prevalence of fake news is increasing, it is important that we equip ourselves with tools to penetrate our information landscape. By asking questions, challenging logic, considering interests, and evaluating plausibility, we can develop a better understanding of the truth.

The FLIP principle reminds us that we should not believe everything that is presented to us, but that it is important to adopt a critical attitude and examine information carefully.

By applying the FLIP principle, we can strengthen our ability to detect fake news, sharpen our judgment and contribute to building an informed and enlightened society. It is up to us to find the truth and combat misinformation.

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