This chapter explores the concept of grand conspiracy theories, the reasons why people are drawn to them, and the challenges of dealing with them. It discusses the need to understand the flaws in logic and evidence behind these theories, the importance of transparency and documentation to counteract them, and the frustration of trying to break through closed-off belief systems.
Who is pulling the strings? Who is behind the coverup? Who holds the real power, and what do they want? How deep does the conspiracy to control your mind go?
In this episode we discuss the history, social impact, neuroscience, and psychology behind conspiracy theories and paranoid thinking.
Our guests are Steven Novella and Jesse Walker. Steven is a leader in the skeptic community, host of The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe, and a neurologist at Yale University's School of Medicine. Walker is the books editor for Reason Magazine and author of the new book, The United States of Paranoia, a Conspiracy Theory.
Listen as they explain why we love conspiracy theories, how they flourish, how they harm, and what they say about a culture.
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