Iam Ubeem this may interest you: On Conspiracy Theories and Theorists: .....As researchers, the interesting question to us is not whether these theories are right or wrong, but why so many people endorse them in the face of overwhelming evidence. We think the answer lies in human psychology. The brain did not evolve to process information about industrial economies, terrorism or medicine, but about survival in the wild. This includes a tendency to assume that unseen predators are lurking or that coincidental events are somehow related. Conspiracy theories reflect how we intuitively understand our world and, ironically, provide emotional reassurance. They are stories with good and bad guys, conflict, resolution and other narrative elements that have a natural appeal. In short, to adherents, conspiracy theories feel like the truth. It is this that makes them problematic. By crystallising intuitions into incontrovertible claims, they limit possibilities for public discourse. This might not be a problem if the conspiracy involves aliens. But when it comes to important issues such as gun control or vaccinations, conspiracy theories impede our ability to sustain public debate. Thus, rather than trying to argue or reason, the first step should be to empathise. After all, whether knocking on wood or wishing someone luck, we all engage in magical thinking. Only by appreciating the emotional tug of conspiracy theories will it be possible for us to communicate in a meaningful way with our neighbours in tinfoil hats. Interesting - EMPATHIZE - pity them? ;)
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 16:11:25 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015