Methods For Influencing Conspiracy Theorists?

Talking to people who endorse conspiracy theories is challenging, as simply presenting evidence or pointing out logical contradictions in the conspiracist argument is not enough. A new analysis shows that only some methods to counteract conspiracy beliefs are effective. Experts and r/ChangeMyView subreddit moderators offer 10 tips to debunk conspiracy theories convincingly and kindly.

Keeping calm is essential when confronting falsehoods, but it’s never useful if things end up in a confrontational situation. Rational arguments and myth busting often won’t help change the mind of a conspiracy theorist. However, there are other ways to engage individuals spreading conspiracy theories.

An open-minded approach starts with asking questions and listening, building understanding with the person. Listen carefully and avoid defending your own beliefs. AI can be a valuable tool in the fight against conspiracy theories, but only some methods are effective.

A CMU philosophy professor specializes in conspiracy theories and offers suggestions for dealing with relatives who traffic in them. As the pandemic has taken hold, so have misinformation spreaders. Experts and r/ChangeMyView subreddit moderators offer tips to spot holes in their logic.

Humans are inherently stubborn, and it’s difficult to remove the belief from them. A new study has found no evidence that people’s beliefs in conspiracy theories increase over time, and they can even change their minds – just by being aware of the challenges.