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Who is Si Robertson?

Si Robertson is a popular television personality, veteran, and a retired reed maker for duck calls at Duck Commander. He is best known for his role on A&E’s Duck Dynasty, on which he has emerged as a breakout cast member. 1 He is also known for his humorous antics, his plastic cup of iced tea, and his catchphrase “Hey, Jack!”

How did the death hoax start?

In March 2020, a website called Conservative Tears published an article claiming that Si Robertson had been found dead in the woods near the Duck Dynasty warehouse. The article was written in a serious tone and included details such as the cause of death, the reaction of his family, and the funeral arrangements. 2

However, the article was completely false and intended as a satire. The website itself has a disclaimer that states that everything on it is fiction and not real. 2 Unfortunately, many fans of Si Robertson and Duck Dynasty did not realize that the article was a joke and believed that he had passed away.

How did Si Robertson respond to the hoax?

Si Robertson was quick to debunk the death hoax and assure his fans that he was alive and well. He posted a video on his Facebook page, where he joked that the rumor was only 95% true and that he was actually a zombie. He also thanked his fans for their prayers and support and asked them to share the video to spread the truth. 3

Si Robertson also made fun of the hoax on his podcast, Duck Call Room, where he said that he had been resurrected by Jesus and that he was now immortal. He also said that he had a message from God for his fans: “Hey, Jack!” 4

Why do death hoaxes happen?

Death hoaxes are a common phenomenon on the internet, where fake news and rumors can spread quickly and easily. Some death hoaxes are created as pranks, while others are done for malicious reasons, such as to damage someone’s reputation, to generate clicks and revenue, or to manipulate public opinion. 5

Death hoaxes can also be influenced by psychological factors, such as the availability heuristic, which is the tendency to judge the likelihood of an event based on how easily it comes to mind. For example, if someone hears about a celebrity’s death from a seemingly credible source, they may be more likely to believe it without verifying it, especially if they have recently heard about other celebrity deaths or if they have a strong emotional attachment to the celebrity. 5

How to avoid falling for death hoaxes?

The best way to avoid falling for death hoaxes is to always check the source and the credibility of the information before believing it or sharing it. Some signs that an article or a website may be fake or unreliable are:

• The URL is suspicious or unfamiliar, such as .co or .su domains.
• The headline is sensationalized or clickbait, such as “You won’t believe what happened to …”
• The content is poorly written, with spelling, grammar, or factual errors.
• The date of publication is old or missing, or the article is updated without explanation.
• The article lacks evidence, sources, or references, or the sources are dubious or unverifiable.
• The article contradicts or conflicts with other reputable sources or official statements.

If in doubt, it is always better to do some research and look for multiple sources that confirm or deny the information, or to use fact-checking websites or tools that can help verify the validity of the information. 5

Conclusion

Si Robertson is not dead, but was the victim of a death hoax that fooled many fans. He has responded to the hoax with humor and grace, and has proven that he is still alive and kicking. Death hoaxes are a common and unfortunate phenomenon on the internet, and it is important to be careful and critical when consuming and sharing information online.

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