Michael Shermer: Why People Believe Conspiracy Theories

The public has always been fascinated by conspiracy theories, but lately more people have started believing in them: from speculations about John F. Kennedy’s assassination to notions that 9/11 was an inside job. At CHF, Michael Shermer (founding publisher of Skeptic magazine) talks with Meghan Daum (The Problem With Everything, The Unspeakable Podcast) about the personality traits and societal factors at play in conspiratorial thinking and how we can counteract these narratives. 

[benderschechner]

You stop the conspiracies, we'll stop the theories. Deal?

[davidarbuckle]

Because the 'facts' of the official version simply are impossible to believe.

[edsmith]

Michael is right. I have concluded I do not who I believe anymore.

[Wyliecoyte]

Are there any links to Uscinski’s data listed at 5:00?

[LeoFreemanAUST]

The Normalcy Bias is strong with this one.

[connerjenkins]

I studied the whole system I know real history

[papalegba]

Criminal conspiracies do not exist, said the criminal 😂

[saalih]

Twitter and X is a private company and a private company can decide who’s giving misinformation on their platform. That is not against free speech. I was with you until you got right there. I believe he’s misinformed about private companies.

[connerjenkins]

Wef, wjc, 1891 Baron Rothschild, panic of 1834

[richardsage]

Michael is a professional debunker if he could he would Debunk his own name

[kevincope]

You jokers have failed miserably. Reap the whirlwind! WE KNOW THE YOU HAVE WOKEN THE WOLVES!