Conspiracy theories are characterized by three interconnected characteristics: the actions and goals of the group are nefarious, threatening, or illegal, and the conspirators manage their power and slyness. Research in psychology suggests that belief in conspiracy theories is motivated by a desire to understand threats and is predicted. The violent threats leading up to January 6, the actions taken at the Capitol, and the continued incitement of attacks on state and federal governments demonstrate a persistent and determined assault on U.S. society.
Conspiration theories are abundant in social and political discourse, with serious consequences for individuals, groups, and societies. Psychological scientists argue that conspiracy theories are linked to misinformation and mistrust in experts. Terrorism involves the use of violence or threats of violence to achieve political goals, particularly against civilians. Misinformation spurred the mob that stormed the Capitol, highlighting the disastrous effects such theories can produce.
In much of the current academic and public discussion, conspiracy theories are portrayed as a negative phenomenon, linked to misinformation and mistrust in experts. Research in psychology proposes that belief in conspiracy theories is motivated by a desire to understand threats and is predicted by increased fear.
In criminal law, a conspiracy is an agreement between two or more people to commit a crime at some time in the future. In conspiracy theories, individuals may seek epistemic structure to order erratic environments. Mental health practitioners must understand and mitigate the vulnerability that a mental disorder creates to extremists.
The Law Office of Roy Galloway wants individuals to be informed about what constitutes the offense of conspiracy, and Chansley, who appeared at various socio-political rallies in 2020, is a proponent of the widespread QAnon conspiracy theory that a secret cabal of extremists is behind the attacks.
📹 When conspiracy theories threaten friendships | Wes Regan | TEDxSurreySalon
Wes Regan recounts conflict over conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to insights on empathy and …
📹 Conspiracy theorists targeting professors, scientists with threats
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As someone who has been in the sciences for over 20 years, our public health officials in the U.S. were terrible when it came to the pandemic. They made conspiracy theories very easy to spread by not being transparent themselves. Sadly, I fear they’ve learned nothing and they have created an environment where the next pandemic will be worse since so few trust science now.
Such an important, humanizing message in a time when we are often so quick to demonize others. I can tell whenever I’m lapsing into polarizing judgement when I start to feel hopeless and helpless. Then it’s time to go out and speak with people face to face, and cultivate curiosity about how the human needs we all share can express in different ways… we are all in this together.
Excellent way to present the first steps of non violent communication. As human beings, we have universal needs, Our feelings and emotions are our response to the perceptions we have of how our needs are met or not. We can acknowledge the emotions, (and thus the common humanity) without necessarily agreeing with the ideas or perceptions the other person has.
You see there’s a large difference between somebody who believes unfounded facts that have no basis, but it’s a different story to label somebody conspiracy theorists to have a different alternative based on other sets of information that doesn’t adhere to the norm or the said story and seeing them as wrong.
Notice how the vast majority of comments here are from ‘conspiracy theorists’. Not only does this high volume of ‘conspiracy theorists’ listening to someone arguing against them prove Wes wrong about “conspiracy theorists being stuck in their echo chambers”, but it also demonstrates that ‘the conspiracy theorists’ seem to be the only ones to care.
I’ve had a variety of incredibly sharp friends (after decades of friendship) embrace ‘random’ conspiratorial theories once they moved out of New York City – and essentially lost contact with larger segments of global culture/society. They often regurgitate extremist rhetoric about “the dangers of cities” regardless of statistics, etc. It’s VERY sadly frustrating – as I can not understand their new-found fears, which have little to do with reality.
The problem with government is, at times, instead of acting that they don’t have the answers they make up the answer. Covid was a good example, things like could not have been a lab leak and the effectiveness of government mandates like the vaccination and social distancing. Government tends to speak in absolutes and they are rarely truly certain of outcomes.
Free choice implies to draw information from sources, evaluate them, and come to a decision. You may be wright. You may be wrong. Thus, freedom of choice implies the right to be wrong. Without being wrong, you can’t learn to make the right decisions. If someone forces choices on you, freedom is not what they have in mind. In addition, consider that every theory is a good theory, if it explains past, present and the future more or less precisely. If the theory proves to be flawed, you can correct it. That being said, one should note that – especially with regard to the last years – conspiracy theories take only a few years to be reality. So a conspiracy theorist may also called upcoming reality theorist.
Just leaving this comment here for fellow not-conspiracy theorists to reassure them that these other commenters are in fact complete nutjobs. It is suprising how many of them gather so quickly on a article and how loud the echos in the echo chamber are, but they are not the majority, and you have landed yourself in one extreme corner of the internet. Just get out while you still can lol.😅
This man is really trying to understand us, but through the lens of cognitive dissonance. This is very understandable once you realise that his whole life is based on the belief that those he believes are trustworthy are actually trustworthy. If he was to actually sit down and have a discussion with a rational conspiracy thinker who can provide statistical facts, there may be a chance for him to realise.
Oh wow….these comments really triggered some ptsd I didn’t realize I have…. I have to remind myself that in spite of these comments, slavery is mostly outlawed for the 1st time in most of the world… and “witches” aren’t being burned in the public square. And that means there is hope, because we have improved. In spite of our irrational and emotional brains. There is evidence that we can be better.
I’ve thought of my own conspiracy theory just now as was perusal this article. It’s brand new, I’m the first and only believer in it. And it’s already has the same right to exist as all main religions of the world and any of the existing theories. You can’t prove or disprove it. It’s that simple😂❤ I’ll receive congrats in the comment section below my comment.