There’s an unhelpful myth that people who believe in conspiracy theories must be stupid or uneducated. Such theories offer complex explanations for skeptical people about forces that feel outside our control. CTs industrial exploitation for political advantage is a major threat.
https://twitter.com/RobertaSBraga/status/1358100965707182081
The problem is more complicated than education or corrections of individual facts. The main reason they are becoming such a problem presently is because they are being deliberately exploited by the influence industry for political actors and monetised for engagement by platforms.
Many false myths out there astrology for example, are limited in harm. Key questions are ‘at what point do conspiracy theories become harmful?’ The organized deliberate use & development of such theories should focus concern, esp mobilising violence. Not false beliefs as such.
Correcting falsehood in general is of course important, but it’s important not to lose perspective on the stark difference between a deliberate campaign to manipulate to undermine public decision-making and private beliefs.
Too much money & energy goes on responses that cast the public, not the powerful, as threat & distribution/consumption as point of intervention. It’s easier to access populations for research. Our solutions should be focused on industry producers & exploiters not their victims
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