What is a conspiracy theory?

We do our peers, countrymen, students, and children a grave disservice by admonishing them to think for themselves without also giving them the critical thinking tools to do so, for in so doing we foster a culture where "independent thought" is equated with "contrarian thought". This gives rise to an anti-intellectual, anti-science paradigm that supports an idea not because it meets a basic standard of evidence, but rather simply because it opposes established thought. This is worse than the intellectual calcification that stagnant "herd thinking" would give rise to, because it doesn't simply halt progress- it puts it in full retreat. This is the environment in which conspiracy theories flourish.

The audio portion of this video is by Perry DeAngelis, founder of the New England Skeptical Society and skeptical rogue of some considerable note. I was recently asked by another YouTuber about my definition of conspiracy theorists, and realized that a segment of Perry's talk on the psychology of belief answers the question far better than I could hope to do in a 500 character comment. And so, in answer to that question, and in honor of the 1 year anniversary of Perry's passing, I present this video.

All images are the copyright of their respective owners, and are used under Fair Use.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Conspiracy
• Theories
• Perry
• DeAngelis
• SGU
• NESS
• Skeptic
• Skepticism

[soldierofdec]

Stupid Jew video.

[Datan0de]

@soldierofdec Since neither me nor Perry DeAngelis are Jewish, the only conclusion I can draw from your comment is that you're an ignorant bigot. Thank you for making this clear to the world.

[soldierofdec]

@Datan0de

You dont have to be Jewish to tow the ZioNazi line.

So just shut your cake hole faggot boy.

[Datan0de]

@soldierofdec I guess this video hits a bit too close to home for you. Let's break this down, shall we? According to you, my video about the psychology that gives rise to irrational conspiracy theories is *REALLY* part of some grand agenda I'm promoting in favor of a religious/ethnic group to which I do not belong. "Brilliant" retort! You are exactly the kind of person this video describes.

Then you close by questioning my sexual orientation & telling me to shut up on my own channel. Fail.

[francinedenise5]

lol @  00.16 (cat)

[Honorfull]

Look around, if this ain't a conspiracy then why are we so fucked up?

Did God want this?

if your atheist; did evolution allow this?

[JohnnyThund3r]

Unless the USSR is run by the same people.

[innHD]

wanna see A conspiracy?.. Look in the mirror

[woodenmajor]

conspirecy theorys are much like religious faith ,they give a sense of comfort and security ,they seperate the "saved "(good rightous people ) from the doomed (evil govt agents and tools ) and they are virtually impervious to logical debate ,reason and even well demonsrated science .

they cling to favorite dogmas even if clearly refuted ,they rely heavily on strawmen arguments (that fire wasnt hot enough to MELT steel ) and defer to dubious authority (but he has a phd in mathmatics).faith.

[EdgemanLL2]

@JohnnyJazzFreak Youre not really confusing conspiracy, and conspiracy theory are you?

Cuz, thats pretty dumb.