Viral Video Misinterprets Macron's Actions; Frequency Illusion Explained

A brief video circulating on TikTok has sparked discussion about an incident involving French President Emmanuel Macron. The video shows Macron appearing to hide something under the table during a meeting. This prompted a response from Maria Zakharova, a prominent Russian diplomat, who made a comment on the situation. However, a higher-resolution image later emerged, showing that the hidden object was simply a napkin and toothpick. This incident highlights the potential for misinterpretations in short video clips and the spread of misinformation online. The video's creator uses the incident to illustrate the "Baader-Meinhof phenomenon," also known as the frequency illusion, where noticing something new makes it seem more common. This psychological effect underscores how our perception can be influenced by recent experiences and attention.