Conspiracy theories/fake news.

[Busaholic]

Of the main conspiracy theories of my lifetime, the only one which resonates with me is the first I remember, namely the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Having said that, I think it's just about possible that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, but extremely unlikely. There is absolutely no doubt that so much was covered up by the U.S. security services, for reasons which can be argued about endlessly, and the truth may never be disclosed.

 

[DaleCooper]

Well I sat down at lunchtime and went through the link on debunking the moon landings that Dale posted earlier with the youngest and oldest of the kids after doing a straw poll on what they actually believed to be the truth.
I feel that we got somewhere and hopefully they've taken onboard the need to pull in knowledge from a variety of sources rather than what just one or two people have said on Facebook for example.
Their opinions have definitely changed after our chat and not only that but I've learnt new things too which is what it's all about really.
It's been emotional.

Things might not be so hunky-dory when they find out you were given that link by Reptoid who is a senior member of the Illuminati.

 

[DaleCooper]

Of the main conspiracy theories of my lifetime, the only one which resonates with me is the first I remember, namely the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Having said that, I think it's just about possible that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, but extremely unlikely. There is absolutely no doubt that so much was covered up by the U.S. security services, for reasons which can be argued about endlessly, and the truth may never be disclosed.

Is there really "absolutely no doubt"?

Perhaps the truth has been disclosed but you choose not to believe it.

https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4389

 

[Cowley]

Is there really "absolutely no doubt"?

Perhaps the truth has been disclosed but you choose not to believe it.

https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4389

Ah. More reading...

 

[DynamicSpirit]

I've recently been discussing various conspiracy theories with one of the older kids and a couple of things are starting to worry me.
1 - The acceptance of unchecked facts as truth.
2 - The realisation that the younger children are hearing them say: The US government blew up the twin towers, the UK government have had a hand in various terrorist atrocities, they didn't go to the moon in 1969, Elvis isn't dead etc etc (ok I believe the last one ).

Sounds like a sad state of affairs you're describing.

It seems to me that the problem of conspiracy theories isn't a simple thing, because there isn't one single cause. there are several related problems that contribute to it, and they all ultimately need tackling. Off the top of my head, they would include:

• A lack of experience in analysing stories to see if they are credible and likely to be balanced, and if the source might have a vested interest in pushing one conclusion.
• A lack of awareness of which websites are likely to be trustworthy. Most of us, for example, probably understand that the BBC has requirements for impartiality and resources to do some fact-checking and is therefore likely to be reliable, but plenty of people don't have that awareness. One consequence of this is that too many people incorrectly assume that if something is posted by a friend, then it must be reliable - and more so than say something on BBC news - putting emotional attachment to the person above any objective analysis of which source is really likely to be most reliable.
• Too great a readiness to believe that other people are always acting for the worst motives and to always (perhaps unconsciously), seek to ascribe the worst possible motives for what others are doing (statements like 'all politicians are only in it for themselves' - which anyone more informed would correctly realise is basically stereotyping and untrue as a generality - would arise from this tendency). Associated with this is an expectation that anything the Government or the authorities or 'experts' say is likely to be untrue - which of course is what leads to things like the lunar landings conspiracy theories.
• Unwillingness to question ones own assumptions (probably true of all of us).
• Laziness when it comes to assuming that stories that come from sources that feel emotionally close (stuff posted by friends) or which seem to confirm existing beliefs are true, without bothering to look up other sources to see if they say the same things.
• Inability to recognise when a story is specifically designed to emotionally manipulate the reader (such as by provoking outrage)

If you can tackle each of those things and raise awareness of them amongst your students then that would be very worthy in my view.

 

[Cowley]

Very well put DynamicSpirit.

 

[jon0844]

People also need to be a little slower to re-post material that encourages the mass-spreading with things like 'the mainstream media won't print this' and so on.

It's as if people are suddenly compelled to spread fake news if they think they're somehow helping get the news out there because the establishment is trying to keep it a secret.

Sadly I have many friends who, because of the election, are sharing things that are extremely questionable. I opt to bite my lip and keep quiet most of the time so as not to fall out, but it does show that confirmation bias is another big factor. People will gladly spread anything that represents their existing view, and as said above, social media will often only show you things based on what you've previously liked or shared - so you end up in a bubble/echo chamber.

 

[kylemore]

As Winston Churchill said (he probably didn't, so please don't waste your time refuting!)

"Most people stumble over the Truth at least once in their lives, however the majority just pick themselves up, dust themselves down and carry on as if nothing had happened"


Keep on walking gents....

 

[Cowley]

As Winston Churchill said (he probably didn't, so please don't waste your time refuting!)

"Most people stumble over the Truth at least once in their lives, however the majority just pick themselves up, dust themselves down and carry on as if nothing had happened"


Keep on walking gents....

I really want to believe it. Which takes us right back to the start I think?

 

[najaB]

I really want to believe it. Which takes us right back to the start I think?

There's a difference though. That is the kind of thing that Winston Churchill might have said, and it's entirely possible that he said as much if not those exact words.

Unlike a conspiracy theory, believing that it is a direct quote doesn't require you to ignore established science, or make major revisions to accepted history. It also doesn't necessitate belief that there's a cabal trying to repress knowledge of Churchill quotes in order to bring about the New Word Order, or at the behest of reptilian aliens in human suits.

 

[najaB]

There's a difference though. That is the kind of thing that Winston Churchill might have said, and it's entirely possible that he said as much if not those exact words.

Okay, had to look it up, according to Wikiquote:

"Occasionally he stumbled over the truth, but hastily picked himself up and hurried on as if nothing had happened."

On Stanley Baldwin, as cited in Churchill by Himself (2008), Ed. Langworth, PublicAffairs, p. 322 ISBN 1586486381

 

[DaleCooper]

I really want to believe it. Which takes us right back to the start I think?

I should warn you not to believe any quotes from famous people that are posted by DaleCooper, he makes (most of) them up.

 

[Cowley]

I should warn you not to believe any quotes from famous people that are posted by DaleCooper, he makes (most of) them up.

If you joined the forum post 3rd March 2015 it actually says that in the welcome pack you receive.
Along with a lot of tips about how to stay on topic. I can't find mine now though.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

I should warn you not to believe any quotes from famous people that are posted by DaleCooper, he makes (most of) them up.

A conspiracy theory against yourself eh? Now that is really sinking low!

 

[DynamicSpirit]

If you joined the forum post 3rd March 2015 it actually says that in the welcome pack you receive.
Along with a lot of tips about how to stay on topic. I can't find mine now though.

Found it. Buried in the small print of the forum rules. I guess someone was really conspiring to make sure the truth was hidden. My bolding (otherwise you'd miss it).

• Please ensure your contributions are suitable for the wide age range we have as forum members. We have a duty to ensure that offensive material has no place on this forum, and that content remains family friendly.
• Please ensure your contributions are accurate to the best of your knowledge.
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• We have difficult moderation judgements to make, which we appreciate not everyone will agree with. Please do not discuss moderator actions and decisions on the forum. If you have any concerns please contact us.
• Do not post rebuttals to any quotes that DaleCooper posts. It's a waste of time and just clutters up the forum because everyone knows he just makes them up anyway.
• Moderation decisions may result in us reviewing, editing or removing any contribution at any time.
• On occasions where we remove content from the forum, this must not be re-published.

 

[Cowley]

That's the one.

 

[DaleCooper]

In defence of DaleCooper (no relation) I offer the wisdom of the eminent philosopher A. J. Ayer.

A falsehood is merely the truth in a subtle disguise.

 

[DaleCooper]

This is a good one:

https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4573

There Is No Finland: Birth of a Conspiracy Theory

A study of how a conspiracy theory as absurd as "There is no Finland" can even exist.

 

[edwin_m]

This is a good one:

https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4573

Say "no Finland" fast enough and it sounds like "nothing land". So it must be true...

 

[Busaholic]

Is there really "absolutely no doubt"?



https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4389

Yes, really.