It really doesn’t make sense to spend much time sharing things on the Internet if you are in any way bothered by the feeling that you are a dope, a loser, a chump, a tool, someone who can’t count, or both. No matter how smart you think you are, eventually something will happen to demonstrate that you are easily used by other people because you are willing to believe things that are not true.

The latest bit of proof supporting this Internet Law is the case of the Pig Saves Goat viral video, in which a baby goat with its foot stuck at the bottom of a pool of water is dislodged and pushed to shore by a virtuous pig.

This supposedly heroic act by a brave porcine bystander at a petting zoo made the global rounds in September. News programs ran with the footage and millions cheered.

It now comes to light that the event was staged for a television show, and required a crew of 20 that included divers, animal trainers, plexiglass wranglers and animal welfare monitors.

Some skeptics were correct five months ago when they first saw the clip and questioned its believability. Others who saw it at the time and didn’t say anything are now realizing they knew all along that something was wrong.

I’m with them.

I immediately became suspicious when I noticed that the pig didn’t dive down to the bottom of the pool to use his teeth to pull the goat hoof out from between the pinching rocks, as any other normal pig would do in that situation. My doubts were also sparked by the realization that when both animals were on dry land and the rescue was an obvious success, the pig didn’t smile, wink, pump his hoof in the air or give anyone a high two.

That seemed odd.

Quite a few major news organizations bought into this ruse by unquestioningly featuring it on their programs. Some journalists say this proves beyond any doubt that the mainstream media are feckless and lazy. Those critics should surrender their journalism license for having some doubt left to begin with. And don’t check to see if there’s such a thing as a journalism license – that will just complicate the story and make it harder for you to get out of the office at a reasonable time.

I’m glad I saw this video back in September and decided not to use in on Trail Baboon. That means today I can feel like I’m not a dope or a loser. But I did share the back story, which was saved until now as a clever and effective way to promote a new Comedy Central series which has its premiere tonight. That certifies it – I’m a chump.

Describe an instance when everyone around you was wrong, and you were right. (If there is no such instance, please – make one up.)