David Mikkelson

David Mikkelson is a well-known figure in the world of internet fact-checking, having founded the popular website Snopes in 1995 with his then-wife Barbara Mikkelson. Mikkelson's work has been widely recognized and respected by organizations such as the Federal Trade Commission, Google, and Facebook. He has also been featured in various media outlets, including The New York Times, CNN, and NPR. Mikkelson's expertise has been sought by institutions like the University of California, Berkeley and the Poynter Institute.

● Early Life and Education

David Mikkelson was born in 1961 in Santa Monica, California, and grew up in a family that valued critical thinking and skeptical inquiry. He developed an interest in folklore and urban legends at a young age, inspired by authors like Jan Harold Brunvand and Richard Dorson. Mikkelson attended University of California, San Diego, where he studied computer science and linguistics, and later worked as a software engineer at companies like IBM and Microsoft. During this time, he also contributed to online communities like Usenet and CompuServe, engaging with users on platforms like Prodigy and America Online.

● Career

Mikkelson's career in fact-checking began in the early 1990s, when he started researching and debunking urban legends on the internet. He was influenced by the work of James Randi and the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, and soon became a respected voice in the skeptical movement. In 1995, Mikkelson founded Snopes with his wife Barbara Mikkelson, and the website quickly gained popularity as a trusted source for fact-checking and debunking myths and misinformation. Mikkelson has also worked with organizations like the Annenberg Public Policy Center and the National Science Foundation to promote critical thinking and media literacy.

● Snopes and Fact-Checking

Snopes has become a leading authority on fact-checking and debunking urban legends, myths, and misinformation. The website has been recognized for its rigorous research and evidence-based approach, and has been praised by experts like Carl Sagan and Neil deGrasse Tyson. Mikkelson's work on Snopes has also been featured in various media outlets, including The Washington Post, BBC News, and Al Jazeera. He has collaborated with other fact-checking organizations, such as FactCheck.org and PolitiFact, to promote truth and accuracy in journalism and public discourse. Mikkelson has also worked with social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to combat misinformation and disinformation.

● Personal Life

Mikkelson is married to Elyssa Young, and the couple resides in Boulder, Colorado. He is an avid hiker and outdoorsman, and enjoys exploring the Rocky Mountains and other natural wonders like Yellowstone National Park and Grand Canyon National Park. Mikkelson is also a fan of science fiction and fantasy authors like Isaac Asimov and J.R.R. Tolkien, and has a strong interest in history and philosophy, particularly the works of Karl Popper and Bertrand Russell. He has been involved with organizations like the Secular Coalition for America and the American Humanist Association, promoting secularism and humanism.

● Controversies and Criticisms

Despite his reputation as a leading fact-checker, Mikkelson has faced criticism and controversy over the years. Some have accused Snopes of having a liberal bias, while others have criticized the website's advertising policies and revenue model. Mikkelson has also been involved in public feuds with figures like Alex Jones and Infowars, who have accused him of being part of a conspiracy to suppress truth. However, Mikkelson has maintained that his commitment to fact-checking and truth remains unwavering, and that he will continue to work with organizations like the Poynter Institute and the International Fact-Checking Network to promote journalistic integrity and media literacy. Mikkelson has also been recognized for his work by institutions like the University of Oxford and the Knight Foundation, and has received awards like the Webby Award and the Shorty Award.