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The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
Michael Shermer: Conspiracy Thinking, Wokeness, and the Future of Free Thought
Jan 22, 2025
Michael Shermer, founder of Skeptic magazine and author on rationalism, discusses the rising tide of conspiracy thinking and its political roots. He argues against the narratives of well-known conspiracies and critiques how wokeness impacts science, compromising research integrity. Shermer emphasizes the need for open discourse in academia and reflects on the evolution of individual rights, particularly in contentious areas like sports and morality. He also sheds light on the phenomenon of UFO sightings, likening it to social contagion and misinterpretation.
53:25
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Quick takeaways
- Conspiracy theories often arise from a human instinct to find patterns in complex events, leading to irrational beliefs without substantial evidence.
- The evolution of wokeness has shifted from awareness of social injustices to a rigid ideology that hampers open discourse and scientific integrity.
Deep dives
Understanding Conspiracy Theories
Conspiracy theories often stem from a basic human instinct to find patterns and rational explanations in complex events. Many people equate major events with equally significant causes, leading to beliefs that seemingly trivial incidents must involve larger, coordinated conspiracies. For instance, questions surrounding events like the JFK assassination and 9/11 frequently arise due to a cognitive bias that seeks to link unexplained anomalies to vast conspiratorial activities. Shermer emphasizes that real conspiracies do occur, but they are much less common than people believe, and drawing unwarranted conclusions without substantial evidence leads to irrational beliefs.
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Discover
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