CNN's John Sutter asks: Does the truth still matter? He says we used to believe that everything had a supernatural explanation. Now, he says, there are conspiracy theories about big events like AIDS and COVID-19. The mind fills in the gap with something it believes is god, Sutter writes.
Why do rational people believe irrational things? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice break down media literacy, the psychology behind conspiracy theories, and how to combat our cognitive biases with author and science historian, Michael Shermer.
NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free.
Thanks to our Patrons Zachary Vex, Alexandru Dolipschi, Chris Knopp, Gianni Gaetano, and D'Angelo Garcia for supporting us this week.
Photo Credit: Charlie Duke, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.