Adages the Internet Has Proven to Be True

Adages—sayings that have stood the test of time. Increasingly, the Internet and social media are reinforcing the truth behind many common sayings.

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Since the advent of the Internet, we’ve been inundated with ads promising the impossible—wealth overnight, flawless skin in days, or losing 20 kg in 7 days. Our feeds are a minefield of “too good to be true” offers. If someone believes they can cash in on people wanting shortcuts—wanting easy—there’s a good chance they’re online peddling their pseudo-promises.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

This adage rings especially true regarding social media, where visual content dominates. Platforms are flooded with “look at me” photos showcasing perfect lives—sun-drenched beaches, gourmet meals, families that don’t appear dysfunctional, and shiny new purchases.

Social media is an endless stream of curated highlight reels jam-packed with mostly staged and photoshopped (easy to do with AI ) pictures and videos. I know several couples who always appear flawless on Instagram but are actually facing relationship issues, proving that pictures don’t always reflect the messy reality behind the image.

Birds of a feather flock together.

The Internet, having made it easier than ever for people to find and connect with like-minded individuals, provides endless evidence supporting “birds of a feather flock together.” A notable reason for social media’s popularity is that it facilitates digital communities of individuals with similar interests, beliefs, and values, providing support by showing that one is not alone in their thoughts.

Whether you’re into knitting, extreme pickleball, libertarian politics, LGBTQ music events, or UFO hunting in Northern Ontario, somewhere on the Internet, there’s a group for you. But be cautious—sometimes, these “flocks” can lead to bizarre rabbit holes, promoting pseudoscience, a conspiracy theory or confirming a limiting belief.

Fortune favours the bold.

In today’s noisy online landscape, boldness can yield unexpected rewards. As the Internet becomes noisier, the boldness required to be seen increases, whether through outrageous stunts (e.g., parkour stunts, extreme eating, hanging off a crane), emotionally vulnerable posts, or the most common: being deliberately controversial.

However, in our judgmental society, boldness can lead to public failures, which last forever on the Internet. A controversial opinion may attract engagement, but is it the kind of attention you want? Boldness and strategically managing your online presence are two different things.

The only free cheese is in the mousetrap.

“Free” offers are enticing, which is why the Internet is filled with the temptations of free trials, giveaways, get free or “just pay for shipping.” We know “free” is often accompanied by a catch, yet we keep falling for it. Who hasn’t signed up for a “free trial” of a service or box subscription, only to find themselves stuck in a never-ending loop of cancellations? Before biting into that free cheese, ensure you’re not stepping into a mousetrap.

A sucker is born every minute.

An extension of “too good to be true” scams has reached a whole new level due to the Internet, and there’s no shortage of people falling for them. From phishing emails to fake lottery wins, new scams constantly emerge, ready to part you from your money. The next time you receive an email claiming that you’ve won a sweepstakes you never entered, consider it a lesson in skepticism.

Bad news travels fast.

Have you noticed how quickly bad news spreads online? One erroneous tweet brings out all the haters (read: jealousy and moral superiority) and can snowball into a trending topic faster than you can say “viral.” A minor celebrity mishap can balloon into a full-blown scandal within hours. People are quick to judge a post made by someone they don’t know without knowing the whole story or context behind it; a reminder to think before you post. Save your rants and opinions—there’s no universal popular opinion—and the need to be right for your journal rather than broadcasting them to the world.

Advice is cheap.

There’s no shortage of advice and opinions online, just as there’s an abundance of money-making schemes. Reality check: Just because someone has a website, blog, or 750,000 Instagram followers doesn’t make them an expert. Always take advice with a grain of salt and never take advice from people who aren’t achieving the results you aspire to.

A fool and his money are soon parted.

While it might happen less frequently now, it’s not uncommon for my smartphone to ping with delivery notifications, prompting my wife to ask, “What did you buy now?” Who hasn’t impulsively clicked “Buy Now,” only to wonder later what they were thinking? Spending money online is effortless; therefore, before you buy, ask yourself: “Do I really need this, or am I being a fool parting with my cash?”

The adages remind us to be savvy and discerning in our lives. They’re as relevant in our digital age, perhaps even more so, as they were when they were first spoken and should be kept in mind to help you navigate the online world safely and wisely.

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Nick Kossovan is the Customer Service Professionals Network’s Social Media Director (Executive Board Member). Feel free to send your social media questions to nick.kossovan@gmail.com. On Twitter and Instagram, follow @NKossovan.