The number of fake AI stories I am seeing my friends share is growing like a cancer. These fake stories and pictures are only there to get you to click on the link so they can spam you with ads.

Please everyone — be a skeptic about everything and ESPECIALLY things you really want to be true. It only takes a few seconds to google anything you see. If it doesn’t pop up on a reliable news source, it’s probably fake.

This is especially true about celebrity news where you go “Oh, I always knew that celebrity was a wonderful person” because they said something nice or helped people in need or whatever. They’re so easy to check. Bruce Springsteen did not allow a handicapped fan onstage at his concert last night because he isn’t currently touring. Micky Dolenz did not travel to a hospital in New Orleans to sing to a child because he is currently touring (and nowhere near New Orleans). I mean, seriously, it took me less than a minute in each example to prove it wasn’t true.

I also see a lot of fake political news that makes me go, “Aha! Finally, the courts have ruled in a way I like” but then immediately look to see if it is mentioned on any reliable news site.

Check everything out. Don’t be gullible. It doesn’t make you look good.