![does the monopoly man have a monocle does the monopoly man have a monocle](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kkO9zO62k-w/maxresdefault.jpg)
In the case of COVID-19, we’ve seen an alarming number of people consuming medications not approved for its treatment, and we continue to see additional spikes in COVID cases in part because of misinformation about vaccine safety.Ĭollective false memory works in tandem with another phenomenon arising from our media-saturated environment: the illusory truth effect. Granted, many popular examples of the Mandela effect seem harmless - remembering “Berenstein” Bears instead of “Berenstain,” or believing Darth Vader said “Luke, I am your father” - but when we consider collective false memory in connection with misinformation and disinformation it raises much graver concerns. This phenomenon has implications stretching far beyond my misguided attempt to get a gag gift for my colleague. The Mandela effect represents a pop culture take on collective false memory, which occurs when large groups of people misremember the same thing or remember something that never actually happened. The common misperception that the Monopoly man wears a monocle is but one example of the Mandela effect. It turns out I’m not alone in my erroneous belief. But after checking images of Rich Uncle Pennybags, I learned the character in fact does not wear one. When my colleague compared himself to the Monopoly man, I thought it would be hilarious to get him a monocle. During a recent meeting with a colleague, I noticed a black top hat sitting on his bookshelf and jokingly suggested he start wearing it to greet people entering the office.