Satirical Tweet Highlights Public Susceptibility to Scientific Misinformation

A recent tweet from author David Freddoso, stating that "DHMO has been found in every lake, river and stream in the U.S. It is only a matter of time before you suffer its ill effects," has drawn attention to the long-running "Dihydrogen Monoxide" hoax. The post, shared on social media, employs classic tactics of scientific-sounding alarmism to playfully mislead readers.

Dihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO) is, in fact, the chemical name for water (H2O). The parody, which has circulated for decades, involves presenting the common properties of water in a menacing light to highlight public scientific illiteracy and chemophobia. For instance, "accidental inhalation of DHMO can be fatal" refers to drowning, and "prolonged exposure to its solid form causes severe tissue damage" describes frostbite.

The DHMO hoax gained significant traction in 1997 when 14-year-old Nathan Zohner presented a science fair project titled "How Gullible Are We?" He successfully gathered petitions to ban DHMO from a majority of his classmates, demonstrating how easily people can be swayed by alarming, yet technically true, statements about an unfamiliar chemical name. Various public figures and media outlets have fallen for or utilized the hoax over the years, underscoring its effectiveness.

David Freddoso, known for his conservative commentary and satirical writing, appears to be using the DHMO premise to engage in social commentary. His tweet aligns with the historical use of the hoax to provoke thought about critical thinking and the interpretation of scientific information. The enduring nature of the DHMO parody serves as a reminder of the importance of scientific literacy in discerning credible information from misleading narratives.