Happens to the Best of Us
Last week a Pakistani politician by the name of Khurram Nawaz Gandapur mistook a stunt video that was performed in GTA V for real life. Gandapur shared the video on Twitter and hailed the pilot’s skill and courage. “Narrow escape of an aircraft which could have ended in a great disaster. Miraculous save by the pilot’s presence of mind.” the Tweet read. The video shows a massive passenger airliner screaming towards an oil tanker which is blocking the runway. At the last moment, the plane jolts up and narrowly misses the vehicle, saving the lives of everyone involved. But of course, it was all fake. Or at least not real life.
The source of the video is thought to have come from The UiGamer. A YouTuber who makes videos primary on GTA V. Most of his videos consist of similar footage. They usually involve airplanes crashing into things or airplane stunts. Nothing too wild and crazy.
Gandapur has not been the only person to think that the video is real. Another Twitter account, Physics-astronomy.org, shared the video as well claiming it was a real event that took place. Not only that but that this video was showing a failed terrorist attack in Algeria.
Don’t believe everything you read.
As funny as this is, this is a good reminder to remember to not take anything at face value. Especially things on the internet. This just seems to be an innocent misunderstanding on behalf of Mr. Gandapur. It is not uncommon for people who are not accustomed to video games in any way to mistake them for real life. Hopefully next time Mr. Gandapur will be a little more cautious when it comes to posting things on the internet. This can’t be good for his political career.