Dr Mumbo

When leading scientists turn into crackpot theorists

The annihilation of the human race is always good for traffic, but only if the source can be trusted.

Dr Mumbo’s eyes fell upon such an armageddon story on news.com.au announcing a “leading scientist” was warning of a mega-tsunami triggered by an asteroid.

scientist

But the highly credentialed expert referred to in the teaser underwent an amazing metamorphosis when you clicked on the story.

crackpot

“A massive mystery space rock is on collision course with earth, according to crackpot theorists.”

The story then went on to describe the leading scientist-turned-crackpot theorist as a “self-styled astronomer” who warned of the asteroid having come from the vicinity of a “fictional planet”.

It all was repurposed from a story in The Sun. Science reporting at its finest. We’ll tell Bruce Willis to stand down.

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