#214 Conspiracy Theories; What gives them life?
Surveys have indicated that around half of the U.S. population buys into at least one conspiracy theory. Now, it seems, there is nothing like a pandemic to create a few more! With the numerous conspiracy theories out there, Leslie and Leslyn thought it would be incredibly fascinating topic to cover on this episode. Listen in as Leslie and Leslyn guide you through some of the central theories that have been circulating around the Covid-19 virus. Today, they dive into who buys into the ideas that are on the edge of probability and why!
In this episode, we discuss…
Show Intro [0:01]
Introductions—Conspiracy Theories [0:13]
Start of the Podcast [0:42]
Contemplation During the Pandemic [2:04]
Conspiracies in Reference to COVID-19 [3:22]
Bioweapons [6:04]
Bill Gates and Trackers [8:16]
5G Cell Phone Towers [10:57]
Distinction Between Conspiracy and Science [12:31]
New World Order?? [13:16]
Why Do People Believe in Conspiracy Theories? [16:20]
Share and Touch Base with Us! [16:39]
The Human Brain and Distrust [17:03]
Distrust Insights Conspiracies [18:32]
Conspiracies are Interesting [20:50]
Cognitive Quirks Lead to Belief [25:46]
Analytical Thinking [27:21]
Conspiracies in the Current Climate [28:24]
The Need to Create Meaning [29:50]
Selective Sifting of Evidence [30:25]
Internet Search Algorithms [31:38]
Conspiracy Ideation [34:55]
More Information is Better [36:55]
Kid’s Information Interpretation [37:48]
To Be Discerning [38:57]
COVID Evidence [39:54]
Try This at Home! [42:41]
Next Week [43:00]
Closing Thoughts [43:29]
Episode Notes
A theme of this show is often to discuss why people behave and/or think the way that they do.
Leslie and Leslyn share their interest in learning why people would buy into ideas that seem to fall far outside what is considered within the “norm”. The Covid-19 pandemic has generated a number of theories that have since grown into full-blown conspiracy theories. Leslie and Leslyn explain how these conspiracy theories facilitate in finding a reason for the global pandemic.
After reviewing several different ideas that have gained societal momentum, Leslie and Leslyn question the viability of said ideas. Leslie and Leslyn suggest that perhaps we just read too many spy novels or scripted television that may be activating our imagination.
The big question of these theories is ‘why’? Why do people fall prey to the theories that tend to be unimaginable? Perhaps, as Leslyn points out, there is a need to believe in something that is actually fundamentally hardwired into our brain. Leslie and Leslyn share a news clip by a professor in Amsterdam who reiterates the underlying need we have as humans to expect the worse in order to achieve survival.
It seems that ‘trust’ is a dominant force in this. More precisely, a ‘dis’trust of the status quo. This explanation explains why many people who believe in conspiracy theories are quite intellectual. The common thread within these intelligent circles is another human need- the desire to explain. In the absence of concrete evidence, people will often lean toward the explanation that aligns with their core beliefs, that again goes back to people’s trust levels.
Leslie and Leslyn explain the term ‘confirmation bias’ and the algorithms that seem to guide our technological life. These things play a vital role in how our information is perceived.
To combat this potentially irrational position, Leslie and Leslyn recommend gathering data from as many reliable sources as possible and making one’s assessments from that variety. The dangers of taking in only one perspective and basing it off just your thoughts is akin to jumping off a cliff just because that’s what all your friends are doing!
The main take-away from this episode is that conspiracy theories need energy and momentum to thrive. You can combat these theories by becoming more informed and using your critical thinking skills to formulate a well researched explanation. Leslie and Leslyn recommend sitting back, collecting information, and making a skilled decision from that point of view!
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Links to Look At:
Trailer | Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCv29JKmHNY]
Time | Here’s Why People Believe in Conspiracy Theories
[https://time.com/3997033/conspiracy-theories/]
Psychology Today | Why Do People Believe in Conspiracy Theories
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[Show Notes by Abbie Brooks -- https://www.fiverr.com/abjbrook]