Truthers

Debunking

Mick West argues for a more gentle and friendly way of debunking conspiracy theories. Learn more about his approach and arguments in book Escaping the Rabbit Hole and on his site.

Link to Mick West’s webpage.

Link to Metabunk.org where conspiracy theories are discussed (politely) and debunked.

Mick West analyses recent material from “Architects and Engineers”.

Here is another video where he experiments with perception and perspectives.

Want to try out your knowledge about core concepts and and ideas related to “Escaping the Rabbit Hole”?

Check out the Kahoot quiz created by Ann Hansen, Herlufsholm Skole.

Games to help us debunk and see through disinformation

“The Conspiracy Theory Detector” by Michael Shermer, Scientific American.

Jet Fuel vs. Steelbeams

Countering the “Jet Fuel can’t melt steelbeams” argument.

Below, a National Public Radio segment addresses how to deal with disinformation

QAnon

YouTube channel Folding Ideas explores both Flat Earth Conspiracies and (spoiler) QAnon.

The 6-part documentary which investigates the people and powers behind QAnon. The documentary offers a suggestion as to who is behind the QAnon movement.

A Gonzo-like look at QAnon

Here's what went down at the "God and Country Patriot Roundup" in Dallas, TX. A look at conspiracy theorists in a more chaotic journalistic style (see more on this in the “Truthfully” section).

A Gonzo-like look at Alex Jones and his defamation trial

McCarthyism

Andrew Callaghan interviews Alex Jones about the Sandy Hook defamation trial.

Do you love the themes on this site but hate the English language?

Jamen så lyt til den danske podcast “Et åbent sind”, der omhandler konspirationer, pseudovidenskab og menneskers kognitive blindgyder.

Psychologist and author Rob Brotherton on the cognitive biases that can lead to conspiracy theories.

Online magazine Mental Floss explains the history of Cultural Hysteria.

A Vox explainer video on the Parental Advisory-sticker as well as Satanic Panic in music.

A clip from 1983 where a pastor argues why a satanic message is revealed, if you play Led Zeppelin backwards. Raise your hands, if you can hear “I live with Satan” and “my sweet Satan”.

Correlation does not imply causation. Check out more examples af Spurious Correlations

Cognitive biases, apophenia, tricks of the mind

“We are pattern seeking mammals. It’s part of our evolution. We look for patterns. We’re designed to look for them. And if we can’t find a good explanation, we’ll come up with a bad one rather than none at all. Most people would rather have a conspiracy theory than no theory.”
— Christopher Hitchens

Apophenia and pareidolia explained

Here is a link to a site/book with various correlations. Remember, folks: Correlation does not imply causation (graph below from site).

Animation from Heider and Simmel Study. What’s the story here?

Psychologist Elizabeth Loftus addresses false memories in this TED talk. See transcript here.

A critical look at the way influencers/internet personalities like Andrew Tate and Logan Paul use references to The Matrix.

CBS News describes the “Satanic Panic” of 80s and 90s.

Here is a link to a list of logical fallacies you can use when analysing the rhetoric of conspiracy theorists.

(from informationisbeautiful.net.)

Here is a visualisation of cognitive biases.

(from visualcapitalist.com)

Here is an article from Psypost about why conspiracy theorists and religious people are more likely to commit a conjunction fallacy.

On the Parental Advisory - Explicit Lyrics sticker and The Comics Code

Flat Earthers

Wisecrack on flat earthers and science.

Counterhate

Center for Countering Digital hate collects and reports information on misinformation online. Check out the site and their work here.

The Dunning-Kruger effect and some criticism

“Dunning-Kruger Isn't Real” by Alexander Danvers Ph.D., Psychology Today: December 30, 2020

Explore More, Sheeple!

Books

  • Suspicious Minds – Why We Believe Conspiracy Theories by Rob Brotherton, Bloomsbury Sigma: 2015

  • Escaping the Rabbit Hole by Mick West, Skyhorse Publishing: 2018

  • The Men Who Stare at Goats by Jon Ronson, Picador: 2005 (2004)

  • Them: Adventures with Extremists by Jon Ronson, Picador: 2001

  • Why People Believe Weird Things by Michael Shermer, Henry Holt and Company: 1997

Speeches and Opinion Pieces

Articles

Documentaries and Short Explainers

Trailer for Behind the Curve which deals with the flat earther community

Podcasts

  • Uncover (investigative series focusing on true crime and conspiracies)

News segments

How synthetic media, or deepfakes, could soon change our world, Excerpt from 60 Minutes, Oct. 2021 (YouTube Link)