“Before I became famous, I used to think there’s no smoke without fire. But believe me, there can be a fire without smoke,” so said Victoria Beckham. To Susan Joslin, “‘No smoke without fire’ is patently not true… because it’s quite possible for rumours to be started deliberately with no foundation in fact.” Let’s reflect on the perspective that there are smokes without fire.
Do you subscribe to Georgy Zhukov’s perspective that “There’s no smoke without fire?” Do you always believe there must be some elements of truth in every story or rumour? While that perspective ordinarily should be true as fire typically is the source of smoke, the reality is that many “smokes” these days are not real smokes. As Ashaan Ahmed said, the perception of “No smoke without fire” came from the kernel of truth concept. In the writer’s words, “The kernel of truth concept refers to the tendency of humans to think ‘If everyone is saying it, then it must be true.’ This is dangerous as the people who are saying it have also heard it from others and are merely repeating it. It is a chain reaction. You hear something that is said by others and assume it to be true. Then you start repeating it and when others hear you they also assume it to be true and hence pass it on to others.” Apart from smokes that may be outrightly created to give a picture of fire, most smokes are imaginary while others are non-smokes misunderstood as smokes. These days of social media, even cloud, dust, haze, vapour, vents, mist, exhaust, harmattan etc can be misunderstood as smoke and called so. Unlike what many think, the reality is that not every rumour or piece of gossip has a basis in fact. As Lance Berg observed, “Smoke without fire happens quite a lot. Fire without smoke happens quite a lot.”
So, train yourself to verify what is called smoke before you suspect the presence of fire. As sweet and true as what you hear may sound, don’t lose track of the need to trust but verify. As Ashaan Ahmed emphasised, “When you hear something you should cross check it if possible.” Recognize that the sincerity of the source does not confer accuracy on the message as it’s possible for someone to be sincerely wrong. Know, as Susan Joslin said, that “There’s a reason behind every action… but the reason might not be clear even to the person doing the action.” Have you been accused and even closed ones align with the perspective that “There is no smoke without fire?” Kevin Hart advised, “Life is too short to worry about what others say about you. Have fun and give them something to talk about.” Do the best you can not to generate negative “smokes.” However, if an imaginary smoke is generated about you, don’t let that derail your focus.
As you step out, know, as Ashaan Ahmed said, that “Rumours are mostly false, at least these days. In Dianne Adams’ words, “Sometimes rumours and innuendo occur without any basis in fact.” So, don’t look for fire everywhere you see “smoke” and don’t be the source of smoke without fire.
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Dr. (Engr.) Esang Esitikot is a COREN-registed chemical engineer, an HSE professional, a public affairs analyst, marriage counsellor, youth mentor and volunteer lecturer at the Institute of Health, Safety, Security and Environment, University of Uyo. He works for an international oil company and can be contacted via 08035103559 (Whatsapp only).
