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+--- Thread: How to reason with a conspiracy theorist (/thread-9623.html)
How to reason with a conspiracy theorist - Magical Realist - Jan 9, 2021
https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/07/15/1004950/how-to-talk-to-conspiracy-theorists-and-still-be-kind/
"On May 4, a slick, 26-minute video was released, alleging that the coronavirus was actually a laboratory-manipulated virus deployed to wreak havoc so that a resulting vaccine could be used for profit. None of that was true, and Plandemic’s claims were thoroughly, repeatedly debunked. Still, it went viral, getting liked on Facebook 2.5 million times. Soon after, another conspiracy theory took hold: Bill Gates's plan was to control vaccination efforts that would include tracking people via implanted microchips activated by 5G cellular towers. Again, obviously not true.
But a Pew Research Center survey of US adults found that 36% thought these conspiracy theories were probably or definitely true. Perhaps some of those people are your family, your friends, your neighbors.
So how do you talk to a person who believes a conspiracy theory? This is something that the members of one of the internet’s most vibrant communities, r/ChangeMyView, deal with on a daily basis. This is the place on Reddit where people go to have their own beliefs challenged, and it is known as a calm, moderate place for debate.
We asked some of its most active users, as well as some conspiracy theory researchers, for their tips....."
RE: How to reason with a conspiracy theorist - Leigha - Jan 10, 2021
Well, I’m not a conspiracy theorist but when one stops trusting in the government and healthcare “authorities,” it’s not hard to spin tales that coincide with biased opinions. I’m looking forward (sorta) to Biden taking office because I want to see how Covid is handled on his watch. If Covid gets less press coverage or suddenly, the numbers stop spiking, that will be suspect. Time will tell. . .