One headline asks if they’re in our backyards. Another says not.
“They” are Asian giant hornets, hyperbolically dubbed “murder hornets” because … why not? Website editors prowl for page views with this stuff, and social media algorithms goose your emotions further through fear.
So, a big bug became the “murder hornet.”
“Murder hornets will haunt your nightmares,” said one headline.
Said another: “They’re not really called ‘murder hornets.’ And they’re probably not as bad as you think.”
OK then.
Here, in headlines, is evidence of our giant hornet schizophrenia.
“OMG, Florida, are those murder hornets buzzing in our backyards?”
“No, you don’t have murder hornets in your yard.”
“Scientists Say ‘Murder Hornets’ Could Spread Down West Coast.”
“Don’t buy the ‘murder hornet’ hype.”
“‘Murder Hornets’ invading U.S. will soon enter their ‘slaughter phase.’”
“‘Murder hornet’ mania: Hundreds of people think they’ve spotted the Asian giant hornet.”
“‘Everyone Should Chill The Hell Out’ About Murder Hornets, Says Local Bee Expert.”
“They’re alive! Murder hornets crawl around in plastic tube 2 days later.”
“Murder hornets maybe not the deadly threat we thought.”
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