The Corbett Report Podcast I Read CONSPIRACY THEORY IN AMERICA (And You Can, Too!)
May 13, 2025
Explore the intriguing concept of 'conspiracy realist' as a fresh perspective on genuine concerns. Delve into the significance of Lance DeHaven-Smith's 'Conspiracy Theory in America' and its impact on understanding political narratives. Discuss the human inclination toward conspiracy beliefs during uncertain times and strategies to engage with them. Uncover historical roots of conspiracy thinking among America's Founding Fathers and its implications on democracy. Finally, examine how State Crimes Against Democracy offer a new lens to analyze political misconduct and public narratives.
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Reclaiming 'Conspiracy Realist'
- The term 'conspiracy theorist' is used as a slur to dismiss and discredit critics of official narratives.
- Reframing oneself as a 'conspiracy realist' reclaims the concept, affirming that conspiracies do happen and deserve serious consideration.
SCAD: A New Framework for Analysis
- 'State Crimes Against Democracy' (SCAD) redirects focus from vague 'conspiracy theories' to actual political crimes undermining democracy.
- The SCAD concept targets elite wrongdoing inside government that conspiracy labels often conceal or dismiss.
CIA’s Role in Shaping Public Discourse
- The CIA seeded the term 'conspiracy theory' in 1967 to discredit critics of the Warren Commission's JFK assassination report.
- This framing shifted debate to focus narrowly on number of shooters, suppressing broader investigation of elite involvement.
