Why Conspiracy Theories Are So Addictive | Michael Shermer

Author and Skeptic magazine founder Michael Shermer joins PragerU CEO Marissa Streit to discuss why conspiracy theories spread, how some turn out to be true, and when to tell the difference between healthy suspicion and paranoia. Shermer explains why UFOs, 9/11, the moon landing, COVID, and antisemitic conspiracies capture the public imagination, and how social media and AI have made false narratives easier to create and spread. They also discuss the difference between real conspiracies and conspiracy theories, and why the best question to ask is: what would it take to change your mind?

00:00 Michael Shermer on Conspiracy Theories
00:29 Conspiracies vs. Conspiracy Theories
03:26 Are UFOs Real?
07:23 When Government Secrets Are Legitimate
09:39 Area 51, the Moon Landing, and Flat Earth
14:24 Why Conspiracy Theories Are So Addictive
15:29 The Psychology Behind Conspiracy Thinking
18:04 Why Jews Become Targets of Conspiracies
21:35 Low Trust and Conspiracy Thinking
24:02 Tribal Conspiracism and Groupthink
28:18 Why Big Events Create Big Conspiracy Theories
36:20 What Really Happened on 9/11?
48:05 COVID, Censorship, and the Collapse of Trust
01:01:41 How to Test a Conspiracy Theory
01:08:11 How to Talk to Conspiracy Believers

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