Why we are so scared of space – and how this fear can drive conspiracy theories: klyaksun/Shutterstock There are many home-grown problems on Earth, but there’s still time to worry about bad things arriving from above. The most recent is the asteroid 2024 YR4, which could be a “city killer” if it hits a heavily …
How conspiracy theories help to maintain Vladimir Putin’s grip on power in Russia: As Russians head to the polls on March 15 for the presidential election, conspiracy theories are swirling everywhere. In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we speak to a disinformation expert about the central role these theories play in Vladimir Putin’s …
How liberal conspiracy theories can be just as destructive as their extremist counterparts: Liberal commentators frequently condemn conspiracy theories that threaten public safety. The US mainstream media exploded in 2016 when an armed man harassed diners in a Washington DC pizzeria, allegedly because he subscribed to the QAnon online conspiracy theory claiming that a Hillary …
How conspiracy theories can affect the communities they attack – new research: Scientists have learned a lot about why people believe in conspiracy theories and how they harm society over the past couple of decades. Yet little is known about how the groups targeted by conspiracy theories feel and behave. Our new research found that …
How morbid curiosity can lead people to conspiracy theories: Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock Do you like scary movies, true crime podcasts, or violent sports? Research has shown that a major part of the attraction is their appeal to morbid curiosity. Engaging with frightening media and the emotions it creates in a safe setting can help people alleviate …
Euclid space mission is set for launch – here’s how it will test alternative theories of gravity: NASA The European Space Agency’s (Esa) Euclid mission will launch into space on a Falcon9 rocket from SpaceX on July 1, or soon after. Many of us who have worked on it will be in Florida to watch …
Conspiracy theories aren’t on the rise – we need to stop panicking: Adam Calaitzis/Shutterstock Several polls in the past couple of years (including from Ipsos, YouGov and most recently Savanta on behalf of Kings College Policy Institute and the BBC) have been examining the kinds of conspiratorial beliefs people have. The findings have led to …
Satanism, ritual cults and Hollywood: debunking ‘satanic panic’ conspiracy theories: Satanic panic in the modern era: how conspiracy theories take hold in times of crisis. Canva Earlier this year the non-binary singer-songwriter, Sam Smith, performed their song Unholy, at the Grammys. Dressed in a red devil-horned top hat and latex costume, the performance drew upon …
How to talk to someone about conspiracy theories in five simple steps: These conversations may be difficult, but they're important Aloha Hawaii/Shutterstock People’s first instinct when engaging with conspiracy believers is often to try and debunk their ideas with factual and authoritative information. However, direct confrontation rarely works. Conspiracy theories are persuasive, often playing on …
Bullying, power and control: why people believe in conspiracy theories and how to respond: Belief in conspiracy theories is often linked to lack of trust in institutions. Marko Aliaksandr/Shutterstock From vaccine uptake to violent extremism, conspiracy beliefs are linked to distrust in major institutions or powerful figures. Research developed in the last decade shows how …
Why humans walk on two legs: a close look at chimpanzees puts some old theories to the test: Issa chimpanzees live in a woodland dominated environment interspersed with riparian forests, grasslands, and rocky out-crops. Photo: R. Drummond-Clarke/GMERC There’s no trait that distinguishes humans from all other mammals more clearly than the way we walk. Human …
Survey reveals worrying trend in conspiracy theories that deny terrorist attacks ever happened: The official inquiry into the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing has reminded us of the devastating impact of this terrorist attack which killed 22 people, injured many more and left families bereft. But to add to their difficulties, a study my team and …
Young people may be more likely to believe in conspiracy theories that deny COVID facts – here’s how to respond: GaudiLab/Shutterstock The COVID pandemic has been a shock. Practically nobody alive today has previously encountered a virus so contagious that it spreads worldwide, infects at least half a billion people, kills millions, and brings everyday …
Princess Diana: why her death 25 years ago has sparked so many conspiracy theories: A quarter of a century after the Paris car crash, conspiracy theories about Diana's death persist. Mark Reinstein / Shutterstock Diana, Princess of Wales, died 25 years ago after a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris. Her …
I watched hundreds of flat-Earth videos to learn how conspiracy theories spread – and what it could mean for fighting disinformation: Darryl Fonseka / Shutterstock Around the world, and against all scientific evidence, a segment of the population believes that Earth’s round shape is either an unproven theory or an elaborate hoax. Polls by YouGov …
Evolution: how Victorian sexism influenced Darwin’s theories – new research: Peacocking isn't the only way to attract mates. Andrey Bocharov/Shutterstock Sex is an expensive business, biologically speaking. Finding a suitable mate takes time and energy. Offspring are also a huge investment of resources. But sex does offer a rewarding possibility: children who are fitter than …
Conspiracy theories about the pandemic are spreading offline as well as through social media: A consistent feature of the pandemic has been the presence of a relatively small but vocal number of conspiracy theorists who resist attempts to tackle COVID-19. Their views might seem marginal and extreme but recent research suggests that we should take …
How to dissuade parents from believing in anti-vaxxer conspiracy theories: Studio Romantic/Shutterstock Older people may be more vulnerable to COVID, but in the UK it’s the young that are now driving the pandemic. Last month, school-age children in Britain were 15 times more likely than people over 80 to have the coronavirus. Leaving young people …