MIT Technology Review Narrated

What it’s like to be in the middle of a conspiracy theory (according to a conspiracy theory expert)

10 snips
Nov 12, 2025
Mike Rothschild dives deep into the turbulent aftermath of a devastating fire in Altadena. He shares his own harrowing loss and how conspiracy theories emerged in the wake of tragedy. Highlighting the rapid spread of misinformation, he discusses the psychological allure of conspiracies post-disaster. Rothschild emphasizes the challenges of combating false narratives while grieving and explores how fear and trauma cultivate these hoaxes. Ultimately, he underscores the importance of empathy for those lured into the conspiratorial web.
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ANECDOTE

Town Meeting Filled With Wild Theories

  • At a church meeting, survivors blamed many causes including a claim that Biden grounded firefighting lanes.
  • Rothschild noticed one claim didn't fit the pattern of ordinary grief-based complaints.
INSIGHT

Why Conspiracies Surge After Tragedies

  • Disasters rapidly spawn conspiracy theories as people seek meaning amid chaos.
  • These theories often mix partial truths with lies, making them hard to dismiss.
ANECDOTE

Author Loses Home In Eaton Fire

  • Mike Rothschild's 1925 cottage burned in the Eaton Fire after a nine-hour delayed evacuation notice.
  • He and his family escaped with minutes to spare and later faced the trauma of losing their home.
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