The “Simpsons” and its seemingly prophetic scenes are once again at the center of a modern internet myth. But this time the myth interweaves fiction and tragic reality: the devastating fire on Maui.
The myth: Simpsons as a seer
It's not the first time that The Simpsons has come into focus for its supposedly prescient consequences. The series, which has been a staple of pop culture for decades, is often associated with current events - often incorrectly. This time a clip shows Springfield being destroyed by a beam of light. At first glance, it's an entertaining cartoon drama, but the internet's rumor mill quickly explodes: Did this scene prophesy the fires on Maui?
The reality: Maui in flames
On August 8, 2023, Maui residents witnessed one of the deadliest fires in American history. The causes are tragically real and far from every TV show. The local utility, Hawaiian Electric, is at the center of the investigation . Negligent maintenance and ignoring weather warnings may have led to the fires. But where does the connection to The Simpsons come from?
“Simpsons” reality vs. real reality
The “Simpsons” episode in question, from 2017, is entitled “ Springfield from the Ashes ” (Original: “Monty Burns' Fleeing Circus”) The excerpt itself came from the first episode of the 28th season. Here, the Simpsons' beloved city is destroyed by a reflected beam of sunlight rather than a "directed energy weapon." There is no evidence or connection between this episode and the Maui fires. And while the idea of directed energy weapons is intriguing, it remains in the world of science fiction.
Dangers of misinformation
Interweaving animation and tragic reality is more than just irresponsible internet fun. It distracts from the real causes and solutions and makes it difficult to properly disseminate information. False information, especially in the age of social media, can spread extremely quickly and cause real damage.
Conclusion
Although The Simpsons has provided many humorous and sometimes thoughtful moments in our culture, we should be careful how we interpret their stories and relate them to the real world. The Maui Fire is a serious, real event and its causes should not be obscured by fictional stories.
Also read:
- The Simpsons: Fact check on the submarine accident claim
- The Simpsons' supposed prophecies
- Trump in the coffin: Prophetic Simpsons?
- Fact Check: Simpsons Cartoon & Donald Trump
- Do The Simpsons predict Trump's death?
- No, The Simpsons didn't predict monkeypox!
- Fact check: The Simpsons predicted the new coronavirus
- Did the Simpsons Oracle strike again with the Capitol rioters?
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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 )

