First factor’s first: Misinformation and disinformation are dangerous. False tweets that go viral, authorities conspiracy theories, lies about vaccines—these are all big issues on-line, and so they’re poised to get worse due to generative AI. There are a number of exceptions, although. The finest of those got here to mild over the weekend when Taylor Swift confirmed up at a Kansas City Chiefs recreation. Sports web and Swiftie web promptly collided—and collapsed into chaos.

Some background: Swift is, for all intents and functions, on the peak of her profession. Her Eras Tour, from which she’s at the moment taking a break, has been a juggernaut of ticket gross sales and a boon to native economies. (Her Los Angeles stint reportedly raised the city’s GDP by $320 million.) On the Kansas City cease of this tour, Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce tried to give Swift a friendship bracelet along with his telephone quantity on it, however by no means bought the possibility. Then, on Sunday, September 24, Swift was noticed in Kelce’s field at Arrowhead Stadium subsequent to his mother, Donna, apparently screaming “Let’s fucking go!” when he caught a landing cross from quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Because the web loves conspiracy theories, and sports activities, and Swift, the rumor mill shortly began spinning extra golden yarns than Rumpelstiltskin. They ranged from methods Swift would use the rumors of her new beau to tank the Chiefs’ season to methods the NFL would capitalize on this second to get her to play a Super Bowl halftime present. Everyone, it appears, is a mastermind. Let’s break down one of the best—or a minimum of funnest—theories.

Taylor Swift Is Trying to Tank the Chiefs—and Help the Eagles

Swift, if you happen to didn’t know, is from Pennsylvania. She’s a Philadelphia Eagles fan. In what is definitely the most popular fan theory about her alleged romance with Kelce, a user on TikTok speculated that Swift’s closeness to the tight finish was all a ruse to smash his life in order that he performs like crap and tanks the Chiefs’ season. (The Chiefs beat the Eagles in the last Super Bowl.)

Taylor Swift Is Actually Trying to Date Travis Kelse’s Brother, Jason—an Eagle

Now, you is likely to be questioning: If Swift desires the Eagles to make a comeback this season, why doesn’t she simply date somebody on their staff, thus boosting morale and main them to victory? Good query. She is likely to be doing that, a minimum of according to tweets declaring that Travis Kelce’s brother, Jason, performs for the Eagles, and speculating that her rooting for Travis is “the biggest inside job of all time.”

Taylor Swift Wanted to Outshine Kim Kardashian’s Announcement That Usher Was This Year’s Super Bowl Performer

There are a few Super Bowl theories right here. One, there’s idle hypothesis that the NFL is enjoying up Swift’s attendance at Sunday’s recreation and her new affiliation with the league in an try and coerce her to deliver that Eras Tour vitality (and hype) to the halftime present. (Last weekend, the NFL modified its bio on TikTok to “Taylor was here.”) But there’s additionally a competing theory on TikTok that the transfer is a throwback to Swift’s Reputation period, when she was feuding with Kim Kardashian. (It’s an excessive amount of to attempt to clarify on this piece, however start here.) Why? “The NFL gave [Swift] more attention than they gave Kim Kardashian announcing Usher as the halftime show.” Honestly, we kinda purchase this.

The Numbers Make Sense

Kelce and Swift had been each born in 1989, an vital 12 months for Swift—so vital that she named (a quickly to be rereleased) album after it. Another quantity that’s vital to Swift is 13, her fortunate quantity. Kelce’s quantity on the sphere is 87. If you add them up, it equals 100. Which apparently makes them perfect.

Taylor Swift Is Trying to Deflect Attention From Sophie Turner

Just days earlier than Sunday’s recreation, the most important information about Swift was that she was seen out in New York City with Game of Thrones’ Sophie Turner. The sizzling goss was that Turner had lately cut up from husband Joe Jonas, whom Swift used so far and wrote the music “Mr. Perfectly Fine” about, and so they had been collectively laughing about him (or one thing). The idea right here is that Swift took to Kelce’s field at Arrowhead to maintain of us from speaking about her pal.

Taylor Swift Just Wants Material for a New Album

OK, so that is at all times the idea. Any time there are rumors that Swift is relationship somebody new, there’s fixed hypothesis that she’s simply making an attempt to have one other relationship that she will be able to mine for future music lyrics. Hey, if a fling with a soccer participant results in some Folklore-esque songs that sub in varsity jackets for cardigans, that isn’t the worst factor. Also, “Style” is about her relationship with Harry Styles and is among the finest pop songs of the previous decade.

Taylor Swift Wants to Sell Movie Tickets

This one isn’t a lot a conspiracy idea as “people know how PR machines work now,” however on Tuesday, September 26, Swift announced that the live performance movie Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour could be screening in additional than 100 international locations beginning October 13 and that tickets had been on sale. Perhaps some soccer followers is likely to be inclined to purchase one now?