Recent events in Texas, where residents are burning snow to prove it is fake, highlight the alarming proliferation of misinformation and conspiracy theories in society today. As extreme weather events like the Texas snowfall become more common, some individuals are turning to unsubstantiated theories and pseudoscience to explain what they perceive to be anomalies. This phenomenon underscores the importance of scientific literacy and critical thinking skills in evaluating information, especially in the age of social media where misinformation can spread quickly. It is essential to rely on credible sources and factual evidence rather than succumbing to baseless conspiracies spread online.
Chances are you’ve seen pictures and videos of the snow that blanketed Texas this month. As is often the case, some residents simply don’t believe it. In an attempt to show that it’s all a government conspiracy theory and that it’s not real, people are setting the snow on fire.
Texas Snow is burning conspiracy theorists to prove it’s fake.
Texans are reporting that the SNOW WON’T MELT. pic.twitter.com/AclPqZOyNo
— SixBrownChicks (@SixBrownChicks) February 20, 2021
A young Texas woman recorded a video of herself using a hair dryer to try to melt the snow in her backyard. After ten seconds she decided to burn him with a candle because he wasn’t burning much. The snowball had black marks from the flame, but no water was leaking anywhere. As a result, she and many others came to believe that the snow was a hoax and part of a government conspiracy. First
Several individuals were inspired by this film to try burning snow to disprove its falsity.
Sublimation: What is it?
People repeatedly point out in every video that the snow burns rather than melts. They argue that since the snow melts when exposed to heat and not burn, it must be artificial. Sublimation is something they apparently forgot about in high school science class.
Sublimation is a process where water skips an intermediate stage, which is of course water, and goes directly from a solid (snow) to a gas (water vapor).
The water disappears too quickly for it to drip.
Burn marks are just the residue left by the candle or lighter used to burn the snow.
The official snow hashtag
On TikTok, #governmentsnow hit a million views on Monday. Bill Gates was even allegedly hiding under the snow in one video, presumably because of his affiliation with climate change organizations.
A woman in the video shouted: “Thank you Bill Gates for trying to fool us into thinking this is real snow.” “You’ll see it doesn’t melt and burn.”
View this post on Instagram
The video has since been removed.
Some said it would already be spring if Donald Trump was still president.
According to science communicator Abby Richards, there are several reasons why these opinions and films exist.
“This conspiracy theory is a combination of climate change denial, a general misunderstanding of science, and a belief in an essentially omnipotent group with the ability to control the weather,” he says. Here, extreme weather that is exacerbated by climate change is attributed to a small number of individuals who have an unfathomable ability to influence the weather. Although they acknowledge that climate change is happening, they would rather blame it on some undefined demonic force than acknowledge that the real reason is our way of life”
Verdict on “Fake” Burning Snow
It’s snowing in Texas and climate change is to blame for the harsh weather. You simply bypass the process step and turn the snow into water vapor; you can’t really “burn” the snow.
It is fair to say that you should pay attention to your teachers and not blindly believe anything you read online.
In conclusion, the recent phenomenon of people burning snow in Texas as a means of proving its alleged falsehood stems from a combination of conspiracy theories, misinformation, and a lack of scientific understanding. While some individuals may believe they are exposing a government conspiracy, the reality is that the snow is indeed real and its failure to melt conventionally is due to sublimation, a natural process in which solid snow turns directly into water vapor. Climate change is exacerbating extreme weather events such as the unusual snowfall in Texas, highlighting the importance of scientific literacy and critical thinking when evaluating information found online. It is important to rely on credible sources and challenge dubious claims rather than perpetuate baseless theories based on anecdotal evidence.