Michael Shermer: Why the Rational Believe the Irrational
Long a fringe part of the American political landscape, conspiracy theories are now mainstream: 147 members of Congress voted in favor of objections to the 2020 presidential election based on an unproven theory about a rigged electoral process promoted, in part, by followers of the mysterious QAnon community, itself a network of believers of a wide-ranging conspiracy involving pedophilia among elected officials and other civic and business leaders. But these are only the latest examples of a long history of conspiracies that have gained adherents in society. In his timely new book, Conspiracy, Michael Shermer, founding publisher of Skeptic magazine, discusses what makes conspiracies so appealing to segments of the population.
Shermer finds that conspiracy theories cut across gender, age, race, income, education level, occupational status―and even political affiliation. One reason that people believe these conspiracies, Shermer argues, is that enough of them are real that we should be constructively conspiratorial: elections have been rigged, medical professionals have intentionally harmed patients in their care, your government does lie to you, and, tragically, some adults do conspire to sexually abuse children. But Shermer reveals that other factors are also in play: anxiety and a sense of loss of control play a role in conspiratorial cognition patterns, as do certain personality traits.
Join us for Dr. Shermer's discussion in our continuing series on false narratives. It is for anyone concerned about the future direction of American politics, as well as anyone who has watched friends or family fall into patterns of conspiratorial thinking
November 1, 2022
Speakers
Michael Shermer
Publisher, Skeptic Magazine; Executive Director, The Skeptics Society; Author, Conspiracy: Why the Rational Believe the Irrational
Eric Siegel
Chair, Personal Growth Member-led Forum, The Commonwealth Club of California-Moderator
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Пікірлер: 183
Unfettered, unregulated profit-seeking, above all other considerations, is corrupting.
Helpful suggestion: Less talk from Eric and more talk from Michael
When a company is aware of the harm that is related through disinformation and still propagate the circulation of this information is it not evil? Yes it is
What about building 7? Buildings do fall into their own footprint during controlled demolition
"That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence." Christopher Hitchens ~ right on~!
He missed the crux of the situation - the majority of the movement don't believe the lies - the lies fit their prejudices and political goals/desires.
I enjoy listening to Shermer; can't say the same for Eric Seigel.
So, so enjoyable! Many thanks.
Thank you for the woman who spoke of 'sneering.' I found early parts parts of this 'chat' very sneering as if we were all in this wonderful club together. "Ha Ha ha. We know this and we are all pals here together and we know this is true.' Not much fun to watch.
interview starts
Fear shuts off the thinking brain. So if your scared enough you stop using reasoning. Teaching logic and media competency would help but social intelligence is just as important.
This was the best discussion yet, of this series. I've been trying for months to figure this all out. Thank you so much for providing this series!
Hi Michael 💙💙💙Vote Blue on Tuesday November 8th everyone💙🌎💙
Growing up in a fanatically religious family led me to question things. Conspiracy theories are just that. Theories that have no facts to back them up but what a tool to instill fear and gain control over a group of people. I have yet to ever hear of one developing from a positive viewpoint. My mother is a very negative person that never met a conspiracy theory she didn't jump into. At 96 she's unable to put the energy she used to have trying to prove the validity of her latest theories and instead lumps them all into her first conspiracy theory. It's a sign of the times, we're living in the end times. At 67 it's had to be 60 years since first hearing "we're living in the last days and God will return any day" and have to wonder if "any day" has a date and if the 2 words have a singular meaning why can't you look up "any day" in the dictionary? Don't ever try to argue that one with a religious fanatic. So many cults use religion and all that come out of Christianity use that "end times" theory to draw people in. Growing up in all that religion I realize now that Christian Nationalism had started but didn't begin to have the foothold it has today. Back then they were ridiculed for the most part and conspiracy became a big part of their beliefs, mostly based on some end times theory. They started seeing 666 everywhere and then a conspiracy theory would start about where it was seen and why it was there. I moved to Florida at 18 and had to get a new license and the new number had 666 with a separation on both sides so it really stood out. Writing your license number on a check pre-debit card days cashiers would be horrified seeing it and ask me why was it there and why didn't I ask for a new number? No way would I get rid of it and looked forward to writing a check just to watch the reaction when they saw the 666. Had it 30 years and then moved to another state. Felt like asking if they would put it on my new one but the political atmosphere was changing fast and at this point although the number wouldn't scare me but some extreme right Christian Republican might blow me away for having 666 on my license. It would be enough fodder to fuel several conspiracy theories. Think I would have done a mail in ballot especially now living in Michigan with all its militias. Although if I was still in Florida the governor might have me arrested especially if he knew I was voting straight blue. I have never voted a straight ticket before but with the state this country is in I'm not taking a chance on any Republican.
conspiracys race while reason and truth take more time....our automatic response is emotionally motivated and prejudiced..
So, the comparison with Facebook as not being evil, as they are just trying to make money, is like me saying that I can become a drugs dealer, being satisfied that I’m not doing anything intentionally wrong. I’m just trying to make money.
“Friend or foe”. “Smiling faces, they lie sometimes”.
Unfortunately, Dr. Shermer is preaching to the choir Many people in the US are not as introspective as he is. There seems to be a built-in distrust of "ivory tower"academicians. It is evolutionarally easier to believe than it is to think.
Why all the talk about the conspiracy theories around the 2020 election and no mention of the 2016 election conspiracy theories?
Trump has commented to one person that he knows he lost and at least one other person heard Trump say he lost.