Imagine a man with a bullhorn standing in front of a school, shouting that giant spiders are abducting children from the playground. There is no evidence of any kind of spider, giant or otherwise, no missing children, and no eyewitnesses. But the claim is loud, repeated, and terrifying.

Within days, some parents demand action. The man with the bullhorn declares the need for urgent safety measures. He insists that playgrounds be reinforced with concrete and wire mesh. He demands that funding be allocated to combat this threat.

He drives the issue like a wedge between neighborhood parents, creating a polarized space between those demanding the eradication of all giant spiders and those calling for evidence that they exist and a thoughtful review of the alleged emergency.

After a sufficien

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