Social media is filled with posts containing “inspirational quotes” that are often just nonsense – but we share them anyway:<\/p>\n
Dr Erin Vogel, a social psychologist who explores the influence technology has on our lives and wellbeing, says: \u201cSocial media seems to define \u2018living fully\u2019 as being adventurous, spontaneous and extroverted. For people who are fulfilled by a quieter life, social media seems to tell them that they\u2019re living life the wrong way.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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Gordon Pennycook, an assistant professor of behavioural science at the University of Regina, has published research on \u201cpseudo-profound bullshit<\/a>\u201d, which he defines as things constructed without regard for the truth. He notes that it is \u201cquite possible that ostensibly inspirational quotes could fit into the broader category\u201d. Pennycook says this type of content spreads online because we don\u2019t spend a lot of time thinking about it. \u201cThis is why inspirational quotes often don\u2019t make any sense,\u201d he explains. \u201cTypically, it gets spread because it has some sort of intuitive or emotional appeal.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n