How to understand conspiracy theorists | Michael Shermer full interview

In this intimate interview, Michael Shermer explores how conspiracy theories undermine objective truth or the generally accepted scientific, materialist paradigm. He covers everything from his most recent work to why conspiracy theories are so good at creating cult followings and what objective truth might look like.

#conspiracy #belief #michaelshermer

Michael Shermer is an American science writer, historian of science, executive director of The Skeptics Society, and founding publisher of Skeptic magazine, a publication focused on investigating pseudoscientific and supernatural claims. The author of over a dozen books, Shermer is known for engaging in debates on pseudoscience and religion in which he emphasizes scientific scepticism.

00:00 Introduction
01:12 Why are people conspiracy theorists?
03:03 Conspiracies and intelligence
08:07 Real conspiracies
11:12 Charismatic leaders
13:00 Different levels of belief
16:02 How to approach conspiracy theorists
17:06 Conspiracies and identity
18:47 Expertise in conspiracies
22:00 Religious belief and conspiracies
24:58 Legitimate politics vs. conspiracies
25:45 The most damaging conspiracy in history

[TheInstituteOfArtAndIdeas]

What do you think about the hype around conspiracy theories? Let us know in the comments below!

[curiositycloset]

I'd say I'm less worried about the conspiracy theorists than the deeply strange individuals who deny all conspiracies out of turn.

[seanmcmichael]

Lots of comments here suggesting that conspiracy theory deniers need just as much belief/disbelief to take their stance. My own view is that by default everything is just as it looks. Thereafter, questioning is possible, but how far you need to go is all on a case-by-case basis. For instance, The Earth is Flat and NASA is covering it up. As a conspiracy case this one is so incredibly easy to call BS. I wouldn't even bother listening to arguments for it, nor feel like I needed to debunk every challenge. We wouldn't be able to walk down the road if we had to justify every nuance of anything that could possibly be contentious. There may be other things that hold more potential merit, but the theorist is still the person that needs to convince us that a conspiracy exists or is at least possible.

[benleydon]

I'd rather be a conspiracy theorist than a coincidence theorist ;)

[Skiddoo]

How many people are exposed to religious thinking as children? What happens when they learn to interpret mysticism as revelation from spiritual inspiration? Is that not fuel for the kind of narcissism that leads to making increasingly outrageous claims just to engage others with debates only they can win?

[merlepatterson]

It may take just as much of a narrow focus and bias to dismiss a conspiracy theory as it might to construct one.

[JKnksrsly]

can we name one or two conspiracy theories that are absolutely not conspiracies?? if I'm checking the list I'd say the most egregious conspiracy theories turned out to be extremely generous and kind against what proved to be absolute conspiracy

[ronparsons]

I'd never heard of proportionality bias. It explains a lot

[annode]

In my experience, based on a few people I know well, there does seem to be a mental illness component to developing a strong belief without a preponderance of supportive evidence. I think that maybe belief can be cultivated biologically and environmentally. Which would broaden the types who display conspiracy behaviors.

[AlienScientist]

Please watch my debate with Michael Shermer on Dark Horse Podcast!

[chesterwilberforce]

I always thought there was something very sinister about that Build-a-Bear group. Shady, fuzzy overlords...

[Tedanson]

lots of triggered people in these comments

[futureimpacteducation]

How ironic; I click on "understand conspiracy theories" and get a religious ad.

[curiositycloset]

Lol "inflation just happens", is this guy serious?

[philosopherking]

2:05 Remind me of the best line in the movie Leave the World Behind by Mahershala Ali.

[chippysteve]

This guy reminds me of the scene in The Naked Gun where there's the explosion at the fireworks factory and Police Chief Frank Drebben is holding back the crowds saying "Move along.There's nothing to see here.".
I have serious reservations about this lazy headshrinking 'technique' whereby genuine whistleblowers are automatically lumped in with the flat-Earthers.
Has this smug pr!ck ever heard of Jimmy Savile or the endless list of policemen and social workers who repeatedly ignore the desperate appeals of future victims of hideous crimes???

[fellopiantube]

let's reveres one of the points:
- what it would take to convince you that there was a conspiracy regarding JFK assassination?
- for example if there are released documents confirming that
- you mean that if the governments admits that they've done it. well, that's a lot of power over what you think to give to somebody else.

[patticriss]

I live in Oklahoma. Born and raised in Texas, so, YOU KNOW. Hmmp. Lateral move.🙄. The difference has one commonality, from my observation. Faith. Religion. Whiteness {tinted orange for now, but he’s just the vehicle of the moment}? Anything can get confused in that crazy, emotional, irrational environment of your own community. Starting to look like it’s heating up again, too.
Last grandchild graduated yesterday. We ARE having retirement discussions. It’s irrational. Flying flags bigger than my f250 and the parades are back. I tired.

[creationx]

He spoke an infinite amount of "nothing."

[pehgt]

See his masonic ring why he turn it in😂 Why is he hiding it. 😂