Can we talk about the Mandela Effect?

[Jimmy Higgins]

First off, I want to put out a disclaimer... I think the Mandela Effect is a stupid name. Somebody being that stupid shouldn't be allowed to usurp the name of one of the greatest rulers ever in our planet's history as a label to cover for their idiocy.

The Mandela effect originated in 2009 with Broome, a self-described paranormal researcher and author. By her account, Broome had vividly, yet falsely, recalled Mandela dying while he was imprisoned during the 1980s. She even recollected his widow’s speech and riots in some cities. Upon learning that Mandela was still alive, she initially dismissed her memories as a result of misunderstanding; however, during a conversation with a security staff member at a science fiction and fantasy convention in 2009, Broome reportedly learned that others possessed the same false memory about Mandela’s death in prison, with similar details about the aftermath.

In general, the "Mandela Effect" is a broad misunderstanding of something. Whether Nelson Mandela died in prison shouldn't be one of those things. His release was huge news. When I look back at my childhood, the biggest stories I can remember are Iran-Contra, Challenger, Mandela and all that went on with his release and the changes in South Africa, maybe the San Fran earthquake during the World Series too. He was President for about five years. I was in middle school and it was big news. How in the heck can you not have known he was released from prison?

I get that wider spread misconceptions exist, but can we please relabel the Mandela Effect? I mean, how many people actually thought Mandela was dead. I would expect that anyone who would have thought Mandela died in prison... wouldn't have even known who Mandela was in the first place.

 

[bilby]

The evening of the day Mandela was released, I was at a bar when a girl walked up wearing a "Free Nelson Mandela" T-shirt. I said "Your shirt is out of date".

And that is how, despite my woeful memory, despite having had a fair bit to drink that night, and despite her total lack of interest in anything other than a one-night stand, I can always be certain of the exact date I lost my virginity.

Unless, of course, my entire memory of that event is wrong, and none of it ever happened.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Well, I can endorse labeling people getting laid thanks to Mandela as The Mandela Effect.

 

[hurtinbuckaroo]

How about the Vigoda Effect?

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

That's just the English language being stupid.

 

[Elixir]

How in the heck can you not have known he was released from prison?

So he died while he was in prison, rose from the dead to lead the people…
This, after only a few decades.
Wait another couple thousand years; it’ll be big business. and poor old Nelson won’t get a dime.

 

[thebeave]

First off, I want to put out a disclaimer... I think the Mandela Effect is a stupid name. Somebody being that stupid shouldn't be allowed to usurp the name of one of the greatest rulers ever in our planet's history as a label to cover for their idiocy.

The Mandela effect originated in 2009 with Broome, a self-described paranormal researcher and author. By her account, Broome had vividly, yet falsely, recalled Mandela dying while he was imprisoned during the 1980s. She even recollected his widow’s speech and riots in some cities. Upon learning that Mandela was still alive, she initially dismissed her memories as a result of misunderstanding; however, during a conversation with a security staff member at a science fiction and fantasy convention in 2009, Broome reportedly learned that others possessed the same false memory about Mandela’s death in prison, with similar details about the aftermath.

In general, the "Mandela Effect" is a broad misunderstanding of something. Whether Nelson Mandela died in prison shouldn't be one of those things. His release was huge news. When I look back at my childhood, the biggest stories I can remember are Iran-Contra, Challenger, Mandela and all that went on with his release and the changes in South Africa, maybe the San Fran earthquake during the World Series too. He was President for about five years. I was in middle school and it was big news. How in the heck can you not have known he was released from prison?

I get that wider spread misconceptions exist, but can we please relabel the Mandela Effect? I mean, how many people actually thought Mandela was dead. I would expect that anyone who would have thought Mandela died in prison... wouldn't have even known who Mandela was in the first place.

Isn't this you?

 

[Tigers!]

The evening of the day Mandela was released, I was at a bar when a girl walked up wearing a "Free Nelson Mandela" T-shirt. I said "Your shirt is out of date".

And that is how, despite my woeful memory, despite having had a fair bit to drink that night, and despite her total lack of interest in anything other than a one-night stand, I can always be certain of the exact date I lost my virginity.

Unless, of course, my entire memory of that event is wrong, and none of it ever happened.

I think we can be sure of the date Mandela was freed, your being in a bar that day, you drinking that day being ok. The rest maybe not.

 

[bilby]

The evening of the day Mandela was released, I was at a bar when a girl walked up wearing a "Free Nelson Mandela" T-shirt. I said "Your shirt is out of date".

And that is how, despite my woeful memory, despite having had a fair bit to drink that night, and despite her total lack of interest in anything other than a one-night stand, I can always be certain of the exact date I lost my virginity.

Unless, of course, my entire memory of that event is wrong, and none of it ever happened.

I think we can be sure of the date Mandela was freed, your being in a bar that day, you drinking that day being ok. The rest maybe not.

Believe what you like; It's all true.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

First off, I want to put out a disclaimer... I think the Mandela Effect is a stupid name. Somebody being that stupid shouldn't be allowed to usurp the name of one of the greatest rulers ever in our planet's history as a label to cover for their idiocy.

The Mandela effect originated in 2009 with Broome, a self-described paranormal researcher and author. By her account, Broome had vividly, yet falsely, recalled Mandela dying while he was imprisoned during the 1980s. She even recollected his widow’s speech and riots in some cities. Upon learning that Mandela was still alive, she initially dismissed her memories as a result of misunderstanding; however, during a conversation with a security staff member at a science fiction and fantasy convention in 2009, Broome reportedly learned that others possessed the same false memory about Mandela’s death in prison, with similar details about the aftermath.

In general, the "Mandela Effect" is a broad misunderstanding of something. Whether Nelson Mandela died in prison shouldn't be one of those things. His release was huge news. When I look back at my childhood, the biggest stories I can remember are Iran-Contra, Challenger, Mandela and all that went on with his release and the changes in South Africa, maybe the San Fran earthquake during the World Series too. He was President for about five years. I was in middle school and it was big news. How in the heck can you not have known he was released from prison?

I get that wider spread misconceptions exist, but can we please relabel the Mandela Effect? I mean, how many people actually thought Mandela was dead. I would expect that anyone who would have thought Mandela died in prison... wouldn't have even known who Mandela was in the first place.

Isn't this you?

Dick Vitale isn't Nelson Mandela.

 

[Elixir]

First off, I want to put out a disclaimer... I think the Mandela Effect is a stupid name.

Agreed; it’s not as if it doesn’t effect women too.

 

[bilby]

First off, I want to put out a disclaimer... I think the Mandela Effect is a stupid name. Somebody being that stupid shouldn't be allowed to usurp the name of one of the greatest rulers ever in our planet's history as a label to cover for their idiocy.

The Mandela effect originated in 2009 with Broome, a self-described paranormal researcher and author. By her account, Broome had vividly, yet falsely, recalled Mandela dying while he was imprisoned during the 1980s. She even recollected his widow’s speech and riots in some cities. Upon learning that Mandela was still alive, she initially dismissed her memories as a result of misunderstanding; however, during a conversation with a security staff member at a science fiction and fantasy convention in 2009, Broome reportedly learned that others possessed the same false memory about Mandela’s death in prison, with similar details about the aftermath.

In general, the "Mandela Effect" is a broad misunderstanding of something. Whether Nelson Mandela died in prison shouldn't be one of those things. His release was huge news. When I look back at my childhood, the biggest stories I can remember are Iran-Contra, Challenger, Mandela and all that went on with his release and the changes in South Africa, maybe the San Fran earthquake during the World Series too. He was President for about five years. I was in middle school and it was big news. How in the heck can you not have known he was released from prison?

I get that wider spread misconceptions exist, but can we please relabel the Mandela Effect? I mean, how many people actually thought Mandela was dead. I would expect that anyone who would have thought Mandela died in prison... wouldn't have even known who Mandela was in the first place.

Isn't this you?

Dick Vitale isn't Nelson Mandela.

Are you sure? Has anyone ever seen them in the same room?

 

[thebeave]

First off, I want to put out a disclaimer... I think the Mandela Effect is a stupid name. Somebody being that stupid shouldn't be allowed to usurp the name of one of the greatest rulers ever in our planet's history as a label to cover for their idiocy.

The Mandela effect originated in 2009 with Broome, a self-described paranormal researcher and author. By her account, Broome had vividly, yet falsely, recalled Mandela dying while he was imprisoned during the 1980s. She even recollected his widow’s speech and riots in some cities. Upon learning that Mandela was still alive, she initially dismissed her memories as a result of misunderstanding; however, during a conversation with a security staff member at a science fiction and fantasy convention in 2009, Broome reportedly learned that others possessed the same false memory about Mandela’s death in prison, with similar details about the aftermath.

In general, the "Mandela Effect" is a broad misunderstanding of something. Whether Nelson Mandela died in prison shouldn't be one of those things. His release was huge news. When I look back at my childhood, the biggest stories I can remember are Iran-Contra, Challenger, Mandela and all that went on with his release and the changes in South Africa, maybe the San Fran earthquake during the World Series too. He was President for about five years. I was in middle school and it was big news. How in the heck can you not have known he was released from prison?

I get that wider spread misconceptions exist, but can we please relabel the Mandela Effect? I mean, how many people actually thought Mandela was dead. I would expect that anyone who would have thought Mandela died in prison... wouldn't have even known who Mandela was in the first place.

Isn't this you?

Dick Vitale isn't Nelson Mandela.

No, but don't you think you're a little harsh on Broome? You call her stupid, but having false memories and recollections is very normal and human. The brain is not like a hard drive when it comes to memory retrieval. Read the rest of the link you provided and you will see how false memories can easily happen to anyone. I've had some myself, and its a bit disconcerting when you realize it. Broome just may not have much interest in world politics (like a lot of people), which perhaps explains how it was not a firmly implanted in her brain. She did have some kooky woo explanations for why it happens (which, granted, are pretty dumb), but just having false memories does not make one stupid.

Look at the link I provided. You'll see right away that skepticalbip (not a stupid guy) thought Mandela died in prison, and he knew who Mandela was. It happens to the best of us.