10 Things Contagion Predicted Perfectly (Or Not) About The Current Pandemic
5. Social Media Conspiracies
What It Gets Right
The character of Alan Krumwiede, as played by Jude Law in the movie, is the type of extremist blogger that is largely the norm in our modern world. Law's character claims there is a government conspiracy, and that the cure is being withheld from the public.
Similar to Krumwiede, the internet has been abuzz with conspirators loaded with the 'truth'. Twitter feeds have been abuzz with claims that the virus was 'created' by the Chinese against the western world, while others have states it was created by the US to punish the Chinese. The common characteristic with all these theories is the lack of any evidence to support their claims.
As for celebrities drumming up conspiracy theories around the 'fakeness' of the virus, the likes of rapper Cardi B and celebrity Kim Kardashian-West have lead the nonsensical conspiracy charge. Thankfully the likes of Idris Alba have Twitter to chastise the celebrities for their short sighted views.
What It Doesn't
The one aspect that the movie doesn't concentrate on, more than getting wrong, is the positive use of social media, in particular from celebrities. Every day we receive detailed tutorials from our favourite celebrities(including actors from this very movie) informing us of helpful tips to keep healthy and safe.
But most importantly of all, thanks to the power of social media, we were able to get the best version of Sweet Caroline ever heard. Good on you Mister Diamond!