Social media tries to remind us why science matters
Social Cues: Also trending on Twitter and Facebook are an Uber boycott and the Doomsday Clock.
People are shouting to the virtual heavens, perhaps into the virtual void, that science is based on facts. It's 2017. This is the world we live in now.
On Facebook, people are talking about the Doomsday Clock that represents the potential for global catastrophe. The clock just shifted closer to midnight.
Social Cues is our look at what's trending on Facebook and Twitter. Here's what people are talking about on Friday:
#WhyScienceMatters: Worried the world is heading back toward the dark ages, people on Twitter are trying to remind everyone why they must trust science. You know, the thing that put people on the moon and is the magic behind the screen you're reading this on? Yep, there's a trending hashtag urging people to remember that one of civilization's foundations actually has a purpose. This comes as a March for Science is being organized to urge the Trump administration to end its denials about climate change, a topic that was removed from the White House website after Donald Trump's inauguration last week.
Kehlani: The R&B singer released her debut album, "SweetSexySavage," overnight. It's trending on Twitter with more than 100,000 tweets. Fans are waking up to a pleasant surprise, celebrating the 18 tracks on the album, including "Personal" and "Keep On."
#BoycottUber: A call to boycott Uber is gaining traction over social media. The outrage stems from Uber CEO Travis Kalanick's role as an adviser for President Trump. The hashtag #BoycottUber is trending on Twitter, with people recommending alternative ride-hailing services like Lyft or a return to taxis. Uber is the latest company to face backlash on social media for connections to Trump supporters, joining the likes of L.L. Bean, New Balance and Yeungling. Uber did not respond to requests for comment.
The Bannon: Trump's chief strategist, Steve Bannon, is facing sharp criticism on social media after he said the news media should "keep its mouth shut." He labeled members of the press as the "opposition party" and criticized the media in a New York Times interview for having "zero integrity, zero intelligence and no hard work." More than 190,000 tweets are commenting on Bannon, with journalists slamming his war on the press.
Doomsday Clock: The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has declared that we're 30 seconds closer to the end of the world following the inauguration of President Trump. The Doomsday Clock, which is trending on Facebook, suggests how close humanity might be to an apocalypse. The clock now points at two and a half minutes to "midnight," or the moment we all die. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists attributed the shift to Trump's rhetoric on nuclear weapons, as well as his attitude toward climate change.
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