Notes_Conspiracy Theories_002710960

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Georgia State University *

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Philosophy

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Jan 9, 2024

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Conspiracy Theories 101 Part 1: Why Are Conspiracy Theories So Popular? Watch the KQED video Why Are Conspiracy Theories So Popular? Things I have learned Things that puzzle me, or questions I still have What is a conspiracy theory? - A belief that a group of people have a secret plot & are responsible for something happening. - Could be a cabal which is a secret political clique or faction - An example would be the conspiracy theory about NASA landing on the moon. Is it true or not? Is the government or NASA telling us the truth or not? - This isnt proven facts because it has no concrete proof or evidence - Real conspiracies have evidence or documents to prove it which is how these are different - Can influence peoples behavior which is not beneficial - I wonder those conspiracy theory have to do with a lot of suspicion having to do with the government because they have so much power and control over us ? Why are conspiracy theories so appealing? - These theories can provide our brain with answers that jive with preconceived notions and biases that we have - The theories connect with whats called “ system one thinking” which conjoined with our brain and our emotions which leads to jumping to conclusions - System two thinking on the other hand is more reflective & deliberate - conspiracy theories offer a feeling of certainty, purpose, and a narrative that can make sense of a chaotic reality - People find them more enticing because they appeal to their emotions and sense of social identity. - Psychologists argue that conspiracy theories activate some of our basic human desires such as: understanding/ certainty, control/security, belonging, & feelings of self-worth - They tend to pop up during times of crisis - Shouldnt more people have or try to learn more about critical thinking skills because it is important for this topic - Given that people often make snap decisions based on gut feelings when faced with complex facts, wouldn't critical thinking help address this issue? Who often benefits from the - Politicians - Since many people conspire against them they can have help from others - I thought politicians would not benefit from this, Im confused? - Does it benefit them more than it commonsense.org/education Shareable with attribution for noncommercial use. Remixing is permitted. 1
Conspiracy Theories 101 spread of conspiracy theories? How? who also have been conspired against - Political powers can spread misinformation to feed into these theories - Media creators can also benefit by making merch or content based on these theories. - Since a lot of peopleget inspired or find this topic entertaining, this can get them a lot of views and money harms them? - For content creators, a lot of the conspiracy theories they support they also get a lot of hate on, but doesnt that just benefit them more because they gain more views? And isnt that the whole point of conspiracy theories? To be noticed. What are some strategies for not falling for conspiracy theories? - The use of cognitive reaction could help us stop this cycle - Being able to reflect on things we see or hear and not react with our emotions, instead think clearly and cognitively - Stop and think about what you are seeing - Ask yourself questions before reacting or believing - - Is it wrong to repost or like posts that are conspiracy theories? Does it make the cycle worse? Or is okay to do so if it is only if we find it funny? - I wonder how what our reactions and our behavior is, effects how these theories are shared on social media and how it effects the likeness of other people to see it and believe it. Part 2: Encountering Conspiracy Theories After watching the video, reflect on your own experiences online and share your perspective on the following questions: In your own words, what is "cognitive reflection"? How can you practice it in your own digital life? The capacity to intentionally and consciously consider an issue, query, or circumstance before coming up with a solution is known as cognitive reflection. It is first being willing to change one's first ideas. We often think with our emotions rather than our heads, which leads us to make snap decisions. As a result, we respond emotionally rather than critically analyzing what we observe. I can apply this to my digital life by challenging the reactions and worldviews I form based on what I see on social media. This session has made me realize how powerful social media can be and how important it is to use caution and not blindly trust everything you see. So by asking myself questions about if what I saw makes sense, if theres proof of it being true, or if it is something important, I can react better and more critically. I can also do research to be sure to know if something has real proof or not, if Im really curious. What can you ask yourself when you're online to resist falling for conspiracy theories? I can ask myself if there is proof for these theories. For instance, I can also do research to be sure to know if something has real proof or not, if Im really curious. It's critical to evaluate the credibility of sources since conspiracy theories sometimes rely on speculative or anecdotal evidence rather than solid facts. It's also important to think about who stands to gain from the conspiracy theory's dissemination. Is there an ideological, political, or economical motive at play here? commonsense.org/education Shareable with attribution for noncommercial use. Remixing is permitted. 2
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