Core Viewpoint - The rumor claiming that "the Earth will lose gravity for 7 seconds" has spread widely on social media, prompting authoritative scientific institutions to label it as false. The article explores why advanced scientific theories are often targets for such rumors and how to discern truth from falsehood. Group 1: Origin and Spread of the Rumor - The earliest traceable source of the rumor is a video from mid-December 2025, which mentioned an article predicting that on August 12, 2026, the Earth would lose gravity for 7 seconds, allegedly known by NASA but not disclosed to the public [3] - The rumor evolved to include claims of a budget of $89 billion for a project called "Anchor Plan" to test the Earth's ability to withstand weightlessness, along with predictions of catastrophic consequences including millions of casualties and economic collapse [3][4] Group 2: Scientific Explanation - Gravity is a force resulting from the mass of the Earth, and for the Earth to lose gravity, it would require a loss of mass across all its components, which is impossible [4] - The article clarifies that gravitational waves, predicted by general relativity, are too weak to affect Earth's gravity, and the predicted astronomical event on August 12, 2026, is a solar eclipse that will not impact Earth's gravitational field [4] Group 3: Characteristics of Rumors - The article identifies common traits of conspiracy theories and pseudoscience, such as using detailed yet unverifiable data, invoking popular scientific terms like "gravitational waves," and preemptively closing off avenues for verification [5] - Historical examples of end-of-the-world rumors, such as those surrounding Nostradamus, illustrate how fear and misinformation can spread widely, often for profit [7] Group 4: Psychological Factors in Believing Rumors - Cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias and the illusion of truth effect, contribute to the ease with which people accept and share rumors [12][13] - Emotional factors, particularly fear and anxiety during uncertain times, can drive individuals to seek simple explanations, making them more susceptible to sharing rumors [12][14] Group 5: Strategies for Identifying Rumors - The article suggests practical tips for recognizing rumors, such as being cautious of overly detailed data that lacks clarity on the main issue and questioning the credibility of claims against authoritative sources [15][16] - It emphasizes the importance of scientific methods and the role of scientists in challenging existing knowledge rather than maintaining the status quo [16]