Why We Believe In Conspiracy Theories with Michael Shermer

Why do rational people believe irrational things? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice break down media literacy, the psychology behind conspiracy theories, and how to combat our cognitive biases with author and founding publisher of Skeptic Magazine, Michael Shermer.

No one joins a cult thinking they’re wrong, so why does it happen? We talk about what it means to be a skeptic. Was 9/11 an inside job? Was the moon landing a hoax? Was the 2020 election rigged? Learn why popular conspiracy theories gained traction, what their fundamental problems are, and how to argue against them. Does the media make us more susceptible to conspiracies?

What cognitive biases stop intelligent people from making intelligent choices? Discover proportionality bias, confirmation bias, and hindsight bias. How do you know what to believe? If a conspiracy theory was a criminal trial, could you get enough evidence? What questions could we ask ourselves to avoid being biased? What would it take to change your mind?

Why do we often accept the supernatural but not real science? Why are there so many vaccine skeptics, but no antibiotics skeptics? Should internet gatekeepers censor misinformation? Does being more educated make you less susceptible to conspiracy? All that, plus, is there such a thing as being too skeptical?

Thanks to our Patrons Zachary Vex, Alexandru Dolipschi, Chris Knopp, Gianni Gaetano, and D'Angelo Garcia for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.

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Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!

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00:00 - Intro: Why do people believe conspiracy theories?
10:02 - Does the media aid conspiracy theories?
14:38 - Our cognitive biases
22:00 - How to break down a conspiracy
25:14 - Government Trust & Disinformation
29:15 - Can we avoid being biased?
37:40 - Pseudoscience & The Supernatural
42:55 - Should we censor misinformation?
45:58 - How much does education help?
49:19 - Psychology of admitting you’re wrong
52:02 - Can you be too skeptical?

[Mozokuni]

We need to add a Critical Thinking class to the US education system. The class would focus on using the scientific method to test and validate information and evidence.

[deadeye]

Man, I really enjoyed this episode, I’m glad we’re getting more of these sit down casual style of talks nowadays, makes it much easier and more enjoyable to learn new things.

[_Lionsin]

Chucks ability to be comedic in the moment never ceases to amaze me.

[wayando]

I understand what they are talking about .... BUT .... Its exceedingly hard to dismiss certain "conspiracies".

Some I would just consider to be alternative hypothesis. And if sufficient information is given to support, then they are equally likely to be true.

Otherwise we would easily believe all propaganda, all official government narratives, and all historical rewrites, et c.

[mbennett]

I still think Neil hit the nail on the head. Aliens look at earth and say yeahhhh there’s no intelligent life on that planet.

[bazookallamaproductions]

to be fair, people DO sometimes conspire.

however its important to have a solid logical and evidentiary framework on which you test your hypotheses and base your conclusions

[flurng]

When you I first started watching Startalk, I wondered why Neil would choose a comedian for his co-host, rather than a fellow scientist, given the context of the show. However, I must say that Chuck has repeatedly surprised and impressed me with his intellect, as demonstrated by some of his comments, which are often quite deep and truly profound! Of course, it doesn't hurt that he is routinely hilarious, as well! Thank you, gentlemen, for producing a podcast that is as entertaining as it is though-provoking; a balance which I'm sure cannot be easy to maintain!

[whilliamgm]

I am pretty sure that Chuck will never reach to this comment but I need to say after a few years following ST, that this guy is way smarter than he looks! love his humor and how he articulate questions while bringing up facts.

[LEDewey_MD]

What a GREAT StarTalk episode. As a physician, (and having many family members with science or medical professions), I just watched in horror as swaths of Americans thought the Covid pandemic was a hoax, or not "real". Two points driven home were 1) severe deficiency of scientific reasoning and problem solving; 2) complete ignorance and/or amnesia for HISTORY - especially science and medical (epidemiological) history - from biblical times up through all of the 20th century. (Arguably, most of human 'history' was determined by diseases, malnutrition and famine. Think of scurvy killing half of all sea faring armies.)

[pb]

If you can believe in an invisible sky daddy, then your brain is simple/indoctrinated and it can be led to believe anything else.

[angelinawoodstock]

As someone who didn't believe in conspiracies, I can say/ ask: when the facts are there how can you deny it?!
1+1 will always = 2.
Who would want to believe the people we choose to trust conspire against the people?!
The question isn't did "they", the question is why would "they"?! Not every conspiracy is true but not every conspiracy is false.


Love Star Talk by the way!!! Thanks for you guys being you🙏

[travelnowtv]

This is the type of Host I want in a show. Knowing your Guest and their works first before starting discussing things. Neil Degrasse opened my mind about many possibilities.

[johntuel]

The Pine Street vs Elm Street part made me think of Bugs Bunny.
"I knew I should have taken that left at Alba-koiky."

[nathyatta]

Chuck is such a great little addition to these conversations. He really does explain things well. He has some great points and questions. What an amazing school science teacher he would be

[victorparent]

Thanks for yet another amazing episode.
There was some precious information about the causes of getting into conspiracy theories.

As Michael mentioned, it is a pretty complex and multifactorial issue.
And his take on psychological and political factors was quite brilliant.

If I just may, I will add another one which is missing from the list and that is about social reasons.
Conspiracy theorists tend to be marginalized and isolated by their friends and family because of their ideas, if they're not already isolated to begin with.

The internet changed everything, and not only because it gave people ways to confirm their theories, but also because it allowed them to reach to people who share the same beliefs, find a sense of belonging to a community when others might reject them.

So among the costs of changing their minds and their whole belief system, cutting themselves off from their community might very well be the most expensive.

[cartfion]

Thank you guys! I feel very flattered to be teased buy you guys! It made my day!

Min 29:35.

[welernliv]

1 part Learning, 1 part Laughing bonded with passion and love is StarTalk.

[StarTalk]

Which Conspiracy Theories Do You Believe?

[SiqueScarface]

The Jesus vs. Darwin debate seems to me a very U.S. one. My father is a devout christian, but he would never claim Charles Darwin was nonsense. In fact, he is very much into phylogenesis, and when I was young, he was often explaining to me which birds are more closely related to each other than to other birds, or that the rock hyrax belongs into the same group as the elephants, and not to the hares.

[theguyinthehat]

I live in northern Ontario Canada Off Grid in the middle of forest for the last two years. I’m going back to live in society again shortly. And knowing the people im going to have to deal with because I’m a caring, loving person and try to be understanding and a teacher as well. You have help me expanding my techniques for compassion and understanding with hopes of changing minds with facts