Fake experts flood social media

FURUS: THRIVING SELF-APPOINTED GURUS OFFER PHONEY ADVICE

- Hein Kaiser

Welcome to the 21st century, a time of self-driving cars, artificial intelligence and the relentless rise of social media "Furus" or fake gurus offering dubious advice in bite-sized reels and posts.

It seems for every platform, there's a self-appointed expert warning that something will rot your brain, your gut or some other appendage.

From "avoid MSG or die" to "drink this detox tea and achieve Nirvana," the digital age has gifted us not just access to information, but an avalanche of nonsense.

Psychologist and medical practitioner Dr Jonathan Redelinghuys called this phenomenon the dawning of the Age of Quackery.

"It's the Wild West out there," he said. "Anyone with a phone can now stroll into a supermarket, point at a bag of chips and declare it the root of all evil. Whether it's sugar, protein, fat, or MSG, the list of so-called villains is endless."

Take MSG, a long-misunderstood flavour enhancer.

According to Redelinghuys, the vilification of MSG is less about science and more about cultural prejudice.

"The notion that MSG is bad for you has its roots in racism," he said.

"Chinese immigrants in the United States were opening takeaway shops, and a scientist at the time noticed people getting sick.

"Without much evidence, he blamed MSG. This myth was compounded by geopolitical factors like the Vietnam War, and it stuck."

Today, he says, MSG is no more harmful in moderation than a pinch of salt.

But it's not just food science that's been hijacked by these so-called Furus.

Parenting advice, mental health hacks and fitness fads have all taken turns.