Between pixels and truth
We all know the game: scrolling through our social media feeds, an endless sea of faces, places and moments, every single image a window into another world. A particularly striking profile cover photo gives us pause - a typical biker, rough and unwavering. But what is that? Instead of the expected rumble of a motorcycle, we hear the whir of a… lawnmower? Is that a joke? Welcome to the wonderful land of illusions, where a unique universe can hide behind every screen.

The perfect picture – the magic of self-dramatization
Our journey begins in the glamorous world of self-dramatization. Here, in the glittering corridors of Instagram and Facebook, we create our perfect selves, at our best, under the best lighting, in the most beautiful moments. The guy seems tough, unflappable, always with the throttle at its full stop. But if you click on its cover photo, the tough facade turns out to be a mirage. Instead of a roaring motorcycle, he is standing in front of a lawnmower, the handlebars are those of his modified lawnmower.
This humorous example highlights a serious topic: the deceptions and illusions that are omnipresent in the digital world.

It is a game of perception, a dance between reality and fantasy. Sometimes it's just a bit of fun, a wink here, a smile there. But sometimes things get serious.
Think of the many self-proclaimed experts on social media. With a compelling profile picture and a few well-chosen buzzwords, they can easily build a following willing to blindly follow their advice. This can lead to big problems, especially when the “experts” give advice on serious topics like health, finance, or politics.
The dangerous echo – the dark side of the coin
Our path leads from the cheerful facade of self-promotion into the dark corners of digital space, where misinformation and fake news lurk. Like our biker, who is actually a gardener at this moment, this false information can distort our perception and make us believe things that are not true.
Remember the infamous “Pizzagate” conspiracy that made the rounds in 2016? This completely fabricated story has managed to go viral and lead people to commit life-threatening actions based on pure misinformation. As with our lawnmower biker, the frightening power of illusions on social media is evident here.
The art of questioning – How we can protect ourselves
So how do we navigate this maze of misinformation and illusions? How do we distinguish the motorcycle from the lawnmower? The key lies in a critical eye.
We should always be skeptical of the information presented to us. Here are a few tips on how to do that:
- Check the source : Where does the information come from? Is the source reliable and credible?
- Look for other sources : Are there other independent sources that confirm the information?
- Ask about context : Is the information presented in the right context? Are there details that are left out or overemphasized?
- Remain critical : Not everything that glitters is gold.
Conclusion: Take off the mask – the call to vigilance
As amusing as the thought of a biker with a lawnmower may be, it should also teach us an important lesson: in the digital world, everything is not always as it seems. The Internet is a wonderful place, full of possibilities and opportunities. But it can also be a place full of deceptions and pitfalls.
We should always remember that behind every picture, every post, every profile there is a person, with all his mistakes and imperfections. The shiny facade of social media must not blind us to reality. So let's be vigilant, let's be critical and don't let ourselves be blinded by the glittering illusions. After all, which is more real: the image of the tough biker or the friendly neighbor mowing his lawn?
And always remember: it's not always a motorcycle - sometimes it's just a lawnmower. And that's completely fine.
Also read: Facebook, Twitter and CO. A stage for hate and disinformation?
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

