Cautionary Conversation: The Conspiracy Theorist Who Changed His Mind
Oct 21, 2022
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Joining Tim Harford is David McRaney, a belief and persuasion expert and host of "You Are Not So Smart." The podcast dives into the journey of Charlie Veitch, a former 9/11 conspiracy theorist who had his mind changed after visiting Ground Zero. They discuss the emotional toll of changing beliefs and the backlash from his community. David shares insights on the challenges of persuasion in a polarized world and explores the power of empathetic conversations in transforming entrenched opinions.
Personal beliefs can be challenged with new evidence, leading to mindset shifts.
Deep canvassing involves empathetic conversations to facilitate perspective changes effectively.
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Charlie Veitch: A Truth Seeker's Journey on 9-11 Conspiracies
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Charlie Veitch was certain that 9/11 was an inside job. The attack on the World Trade Center wasn't the work of Al-Qaeda, but an elaborate conspiracy. He became a darling of so-called "9/11 truthers" - until he actually visited Ground Zero to meet architects, engineers and the relatives of the dead. The trip changed his mind... there was no conspiracy.
His fellow "truthers" did not take Charlie's conversion well.
David McRaney (host of You Are Not So Smart and author of How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion and Persuasion) joins Tim Harford to discuss what happened to Charlie Veitch; what it tells us about those who hold strong beliefs even in the face of damning contrary evidence; and why persuasion isn't always the right answer.