The Global Grapevine

A Sociologist Explains Rumor

by Gary Alan Fine

Promiscuous Facts: Barack Obama and Uncertain Knowledge

What do the rumors about President Obama reveal about our capacity to believe uncertain knowledge? As the target of rumor, Obama does not differ from most politicians, even if the rumors appeal to distinct public audiences. How does the study of rumor contribute to "agnotology" — the scientific analysis of the causes and practices of ignorance. Read More

Dark Fears and Bright Children: Adults and Children Together

Despite the concerns that the Penn State scandal has raised, children benefit from adult friends and mentors. How do we balance legitimate parental concerns with an openness to adult-child relationships. Parents must meet those adults that their children spend time with and children must tell parents what makes them feel uncomfortable. Read More

Fact and Fancy: The Case of Herman Cain

Given the charges of sexual harassment aimed at Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, coupled with their lack of specific charges, how should the public respond? When do charges merit a response? Read More

Forgetting 9/11

It was often repeated in the days after September 11, 2001 that the attack on the World Trade Center would never be forgotten. It would be, like Pearl Harbor, a day that would live in infamy. Yet, except for certain ritual commemorations, 9/11 does not affect our everyday lives. Should we worry? Read More

Amero Dreams: The North American Currency Union

In this moment of economic uncertainty, how does the belief in the North American Currency Union with its coinage, the Amero, reveal uncertainty in the economic position of the United States. Rumors provide a window into beliefs about economic uncertainty. Read More

The Great Nebraska Nuclear Meltdown? Analogy and the Appeal of Rumor

The rumors about a possible nuclear meltdown in Nebraska reveal the power role of analogy in judging danger. After the Fukushima nuclear meltdown, the danger of flooding causing a nuclear disaster seems all to likely, even if the danger is remote. The residents of Omaha can be grateful. Read More

Atrocity and Epistemology: Cruel Claims in Troubled Times

How can we evaluate stories about atrocities during wartime? What do we learn from the case of the the Libyan lawyer Iman al-Abeidi who claimed to have been raped by Gaddafi's troops? Is her claim true by her emotional performance or could it be a psychological operation to build international fever for war? No answers, but many questions. Read More

Rumors on Fire: Illegal Immigrants and the Arizona Blaze

Disasters provide an opportunity for rumors to appear and flourish. Whether earthquake, flood, or fire, people look to find those responsible, searching for villains. In the case of the massive wildfire in Arizona, many place blame on illegal immigrants who, it is claimed, set the blazes to escape from border control agents. What lessons should we draw from such rumors? Read More

Women Behaving Badly?: Are Male Politicians Unique?

Are male politicians unique in their sexual scandals? Or is that that there are so many of them? And is Testosterone the the answer? Perhaps we would be better off considering the importance of power. Read More

Weiner Redux: The “I’m Special” Rule

While many were convinced that Weiner had been hacked and fumbled his own defense, it turns out that he was attempting to outfox us, a strategy doomed to failure. Now the Congressman must decide: do I go or am I a punchline? It's a tough choice. When you convince yourself that the rules don't apply to you, you often find that they apply to you double. Read More

Of Weiners and Wieners: The Personalization of Policy and Its Dangers

What does the current Twitter "scandal" involving Congressman Anthony Weiner tell us about American political dialogue. Is America being corrupted by "Candid Camera politics"? Read More

Mitch and Nation: When Family Comes First

Should Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels have permitted his wife and daughters to derail his presidential bid because of their fear of an embarrassing scandal? And what was that scandal? Do politicians have a larger duty to the country or to their family? Read More

Dominique Strauss-Kahn and the Charmed Circle of Scandal

What does the arrest of IMF Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn for attempted rape in a New York Hotel tell us about the Charmed Circle of Scandal. Why are crimes and scandals different? How does insider knowledge protect elites - until it doesn't? Read More

Barack the Birther

Is Barack Obama a victim? Or is he a birther? Politicians are often beset by rumors; it goes with the job description. LBJ plotted the assassination of John Kennedy. Bill Clinton fathered a black child. Bush 43 regularly snorted cocaine. So it should be no surprise that the rumors about Barack Obama should be so prevalent. Read More

The Roving Eye of Newt

Rumors of Adultery: The Roving Eye of Newt Read More

Gary Alan Fine, Ph.D., is John Evans Professor of Sociology at Northwestern University and the co-author of The Global Grapevine: Why Rumors of Terrorism, Immigration, and Trade Matter

more...