How To Put A Halt To Conspiracy Theorists?

A new analysis reveals that there are few proven ways to pull someone down a conspiracy rabbit hole when they fall down a conspiracy rabbit hole. The study is a review of research on attempts to counteract false conspiracy theories, such as calling the pandemic a hoax or suggesting it’s a secret bioweapon designed to cause global chaos.

Talking to people who endorse conspiracy theories is inherently difficult. Instead of debunking them after they’ve spread, a more effective strategy is to seek out evidence and point out logical contradictions. Experts and r/ChangeMyView subreddit moderators offer 10 tips to debunk conspiracy theories convincingly and kindly.

Humans are inherently stubborn, and it’s incredibly hard for us to remove the belief from our hearts. Since the pandemic began, the spread of misinformation has seemed more contagious than COVID-19. People’s first instinct when engaging with conspiracy believers is often to try and debunk their ideas with factual and authoritative arguments.

A CMU philosophy professor who specializes in conspiracy theories offers some ideas about how to talk to relatives who traffic in them at CMU. They also provide tips on how to identify, debunk, and counter conspiracy theories that flourished during the COVID-19 pandemic. By following these tips, individuals can help those who have fallen for conspiracy theories avoid rows this festive season and maintain their physical and mental health.