Conspiracy thinking is fascinating to me. I have a few relatives mired in it - pretty broadly from kooky alien conspiracies to horrifyingly hurtful Alex Jones type of bull. This line by Scott Radnitz and Patrick Underwood seems to get to the heart of it:
"Conspiracy theory is an attempt to make sense of uncertainty. When faced w/ info about an unexplained event people seek to minimize uncertainty thru cognitive shortcuts, attracting them to simple yet satisfying narratives involving attributing blame."
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/156e/4ffccd3238eac1a275fd12636ad418047da1.pdf
This is an interesting summary of an article about pro-conspiracy messages - those explicit and implicit conspiracy cues that lead to eventual adoption of conspiracy beliefs. Brings to mind @GeorgeLakoff's important work about message framing.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181016110126.htm
Sad stuff https://twitter.com/macklamoureux/status/1149306091110576129
Linking together threads about conspiracy thinking and #CollectiveNarcissism https://twitter.com/tsubtext/status/1123705841524387840
An interesting thought about another possible (and ironic) motivation for conspiracy thinking: Wanting to avoid being gullible. Would love to see this research. https://twitter.com/royfbaumeister/status/1018833729589006337
Some argued people are drawn to conspiracy theories when they seem to satisfy important social psychological motives. However existing research suggests conspiracy theories may be more appealing than actually satisfying psychological motives.
👉🏾 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karen_Douglas4/publication/332195815_Belief_in_Conspiracy_Theories_Looking_beyond_gullibility/links/5cf7bfaaa6fdcc847506a961/Belief-in-Conspiracy-Theories-Looking-beyond-gullibility.pdf
Some argued people are drawn to conspiracy theories when they seem to satisfy important social psychological motives. However existing research suggests conspiracy theories may be more appealing than actually satisfying psychological motives. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karen_Douglas4/publication/332195815_Belief_in_Conspiracy_Theories_Looking_beyond_gullibility/links/5cf7bfaaa6fdcc847506a961/Belief-in-Conspiracy-Theories-Looking-beyond-gullibility.pdf
Some argued people are drawn to conspiracy theories when they seem to satisfy important social psychological motives. However existing research suggests conspiracy theories may be more appealing than actually satisfying psychological motives. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karen_Douglas4/publication/332195815_Belief_in_Conspiracy_Theories_Looking_beyond_gullibility/links/5cf7bfaaa6fdcc847506a961/Belief-in-Conspiracy-Theories-Looking-beyond-gullibility.pdf
2020.5.20 @BigBrainsUC interview with @ProfEricOliver.

The Science of Conspiracy Theories and Political Polarization with Eric Oliver. Read transcript or listen:
👉🏽 https://news.uchicago.edu/podcasts/big-brains/science-conspiracy-theories-and-political-polarization-eric-oliver
Big Brains podcast: The science of conspiracy theories and political polarization with Eric Oliver

J. Eric Oliver explains how the same force that drives conspiracy theories is intensifying political polarization in our country

https://news.uchicago.edu/podcasts/big-brains/science-conspiracy-theories-and-political-polarization-eric-oliver
Dec. 2020 @ncri_io report has concrete suggestions for helping people out of QAnon. Please share this info.

QAnon Conspiracy: Destroying Families, Dividing Communities, Undermining Democracy
👉🏽 https://networkcontagion.us/reports/the-qanon-conspiracy-destroying-families-dividing-communities-undermining-democracy/
@ncri_io report contributors = good follows

@AlexWGoldenberg
@RepRiggleman / @Denver4VA
@jasonbaumgartne
@areidross
@PERIL_AU
@Faradayspeaks
@milleridriss
@nezumi_ningen
@rushkoff
@LiSchlegel

Can’t find accounts: #JoelFinkelstein #MeiliCriezis #KesaWhite #JaclynFox #LeaMarchl https://twitter.com/tsubtext/status/1352313799945031681
The @ncri_io report is particularly helpful for engaging with individuals. This @BrennanCenter report is about policies creating an active approach for countering disinformation.

I wonder if it’s influenced by Findland and/or Estonia’s policies on counter-mis/dis/malinformation. https://twitter.com/tsubtext/status/1352459227462176768
The @ncri_io report is particularly helpful for engaging with individuals. This @BrennanCenter report is about policies creating an active approach for countering disinformation.I wonder if it’s influenced by Findland and/or Estonia’s policies on counter-mis/dis/malinformation. https://twitter.com/tsubtext/status/1352459227462176768
The @ncri_io report is particularly helpful for engaging with individuals. This @BrennanCenter report is about policies creating an active approach for countering disinformation.I wonder if it’s influenced by Findland and/or Estonia’s policies on counter-mis/dis/malinformation. https://twitter.com/tsubtext/status/1352459227462176768
1st QAnon is but one of many cults or far RW groups.

2nd @juliacarriew, “As QAnon continues to garner attention, it’s really important to keep in mind people who studied & reported on QAnon the most are completely open about the fact that no one has any idea how to address it.” https://twitter.com/juliacarriew/status/1351709539574317057
That said, here’s an excellent thread by @AmarAmarasingam with many links to good reads on QAnon. https://twitter.com/amaramarasingam/status/1351001359605243905
Read @Ali_H_Soufan’s work

To cast a wide theoretical net, I’d also call attention to #ChristchurchCall ( https://www.christchurchcall.com )

@ScottAtran on sacred values of devoted actors ()

@GSlutkin on the epidemiology of violence ( https://www.cureviolence.org ) https://twitter.com/alivelshi/status/1353449531447324672
Yup https://twitter.com/carlquintanilla/status/1354561031343890436
How many believe in QAnon? Depends on what you ask. Small poll from Dec 2020 found 17% to 39% belief in certain QAnon related conspiracies.

@NPRJoel, has there been a similar poll done since the insurrection? Curious if the greatly increased media coverage impacts poll results. https://twitter.com/TSubtext/status/1355254705228632064
@KaleighRogers, “QAnon and its followers are at a crossroads. The next few months could determine:
Path 1: Unshakeable faith
Path 2: Back from the brink
Path 3: Into the shadows”

@maggiekb1, “The more social connections are tied up in it, the harder (getting out) is.” https://twitter.com/maggiekb1/status/1355255586590482434
You can follow @TSubtext.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled:
Those who think consciousness raising & movement building are disconnected, or even a distraction from electoral politics have not paid attention to the history of social change.In this thread, we
Read more
The 2020s will be known as the Remote Work decadeA few predictions of what is likely to emerge[ a thread ] Third Space: Office and Working from Home will
Read more
1/29: Have you ever had a concept explained to you that helps frame complex issues you’ve been wrestling with and opens your eyes to new possibilities? A concept that I
Read more
By continuing to use the site, you are consenting to the use of cookies as explained in our Cookie Policy to improve your experience.