The Social Chemist

Send us a textOn today's episode, Cian O'Mahony, a Ph.D. candidate at the University College Cork, joins me to talk about the most effective interventions in reducing conspiratorial inclinations and how video games can help us develop the cognitive tools to prevent becoming victims of false narratives. We end our discussion by talking about Jeffrey Epstein and whether or not he truly did kill himself. FacebookThe Social Chemist | FacebookInstagramThe Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videosSubstackThe Social Chemist | Substack TwitterThe Social Chemist | Twitter Cian O'Mahony Research ArticleThe efficacy of interventions in reducing beliefs in conspiracy theories: A systematic reviewCian O'Mahony Blogs and Social MediaCian O'MahonyCian O'Mahony | Twitter Recommended Social Chemist EpisodesThe Conspiratorial Mindset Behind Sandy Hook Elementary School (buzzsprout.com) 

Send us a textOn today's episode, Daniel Berman, a postdoctoral student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Historian of Education & Curriculum, joins me to discuss his research on 9/11 conspiracy theories and how they have influenced classroom discussions.  We tell our memories of September 11 and briefly talk about conspiracy theories about Pearl Harbor. Throughout the podcast, we attempt to find solutions to the complex issue of conspiratorial ideations and assess some of their limitations. FacebookThe Social Chemist | Facebook Instagram The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videos Substack The Social Chemist | Substack Daniel Berman Research Article/Resources “It’s a Growing and Serious Problem:” Teaching 9/11 to Combat Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories: The Social Studies: Vol 112, No 6 (tandfonline.com)  Teaching 9/11 and the War on Terror Beyond the Twentieth Anniversary – A Resource Guide for Teachers and Educators – UW–Madison (wisc.edu) Recommended Social Chemist Episodes Librarians vs Conspiracy Theories: The Battle for Knowledge, Truth, and Ethics w/ Bradley Wiles (buzzsprout.com)  Do Liberal Conspiracy Theories Exist in Contemporary Politics? w/ Ph.D. Benjamin Dow (buzzsprout.com)  9/11 Conspiracy Theories: Flight 93 - The Day the Sky Attacked (buzzsprout.com) 

Send us a textAs the negative impact of COVID-19 dies down, many influencers in the conspiracy theory community are searching for the next existential threat to boost their popularity and financial gains. Recently, the trans community has become the new outgroup to attack with conspiracy theories. The trend was further exacerbated when on March 27, 2023, 28-year-old Audrey Hale, who identified as trans, entered Covenant Presbyterian Church, a private Christian school, and murdered three 9-year-old children and three adults before being shot down by two police officers. In the aftermath of this event, the conspiracy theories about the transgender invasion evolved from the LGBTIA+ recruitment agenda to the transgender insurrection. In this episode, we take a road trip to Tucker Carlson's Tonight and assess what makes a conspiracy theory a conspiracy theory and how far-right conspiracy theorists developed their conspiracy narrative against the transgender community. Facebook The Social Chemist | Facebook Instagram The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videos References Tucker Carlson: Transgenderism is America's fastest-growing religion - YouTube  Transgender Pastor compares the Nashville shooter to Jesus - YouTube  Ontario NDP calls for public safety zones for drag performances, LGBTQ+ community - YouTube News Articles Tennessee Republicans call for release of Audrey Hale's manifesto (nypost.com) Recommended Social Chemist Episodes Dr. Jordan Peterson & The Moral Panic of Transgenderism (buzzsprout.com)  The HIV/AIDs Denialism Movement & the Implications on the LGBTQ+ (buzzsprout.com)  The Gay Agenda & Pedophilia Scare Conspiracy Theory (buzzsprout.com) 

Send us a textToday's episode covers the breaking news about Tucker Carlson's departure from FOX News. What events triggered Tucker's termination from FOX, and where does the most popular political pundit head next? Will Tucker Carlson join Newsmaxx, become the next Rush Limbaugh or become exclusive to the Daily Wire?FacebookThe Social Chemist | FacebookInstagramThe Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videosReferencesTucker Carlson ousted at Fox News amid lawsuit alleging sexism : NPRFox News Parts Ways With Tucker Carlson Days After Dominion Settlement - The New York Times (nytimes.com)Fox News Lost the Lawsuit but Won the War - The AtlanticCenk Uygur Prediction Why Did Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon Get Fired? - YouTube

Send us a textOn today's episode, Bruce Thyer, a Distinguished Research Professor from Florida State University, joins the podcast to discuss the negative implications of pseudoscientific theories within MSW programs and practices. In this episode Bruce Thyer explains pseudoscience and the history behind such concepts. We discussed the obstacles in addressing pseudoscientific beliefs regarding biopsychosocial assessments and their emphasis on cultural sensitivity. Lastly, Bruce Thyer offers suggestions on how to challenge pseudoscientific claims being promoted by academic authorities. Facebook The Social Chemist | Facebook Instagram The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videos Bruce Thyer Bruce Thyer | College of Social Work (fsu.edu) References The Problem of Pseudoscience in Social Work Continuing Education: Journal of Social Work Education: Vol 52, No 2 (tandfonline.com)  Pseudoscience - Wikipedia Bruce Thyer Book Amazon.com: Science and Pseudoscience in Social Work Practice: 0000826177689: Thyer PhD LCSW BCBA-D, Bruce A., Pignotti PhD LMSW, Monica G.: Books The Social Chemist Citation Perez, N. (Host). (2023, April 14). Social Work's Relation with Pseudoscientific Practices. [Audio podcast episode]. In The Social Chemist.  URL 

Send us a textIn this episode, Stephan McCabe, a postdoctoral associate from George Washington University, joins me to discuss his research on misinformation campaigns regarding U.S. elections and their implication to voting behaviors. We also dive into what factors contribute to succumbing to disinformation and whether left-wing conspiracy theories from the early 2000s can still be considered left-wing. Facebook The Social Chemist | Facebook Instagram The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videos Stefan McCabe Stefan McCabe (@mccabe_s) / Twitter References Online engagement with 2020 election misinformation and turnout in the 2021 Georgia runoff election | PNAS  Higher education responses to COVID-19 in the United States: Evidence for the impacts of university policy | PLOS Digital Health 

Send us a textOn today's episode, Nelson talks about his experience attending a TurningPointUSA event at Rutgers University. In this event, Nelson attempts to understand the conspiratorial mindset of Candace Owens (a right wing commentator and conspiracy theorist) by asking her opinion about the 1.6 billion dollar defamation lawsuit against FOX News by Dominion Voting System. For this episode, we try to determine whether FOX News intentionally provided false information for a political agenda and whether Candace Owens is an enabler and defender of the Big Lie conspiracy theory. FacebookThe Social Chemist | FacebookInstagramThe Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videosReferencesTPUSA Presents The LIVE FREE Tour LIVE from Rutgers University with Candace Owens - YouTubeNews ArticlesNew Fox-Dominion Lawsuit Documents Shed Light on Debate Inside Network - The New York Times (nytimes.com)How an election-fraud claim got on Fox News and led to a $1.6 billion lawsuit : NPROther Social Chemist EpisodesThe Conspiratorial Right Wing's Protection of Alex Jones (buzzsprout.com)Giorgia Meloni: The Rise of Conspiracism in Italy (buzzsprout.com)

Send us a textIn recent weeks FOX News has been exposed for spreading disinformation and conspiracy theories about the 2020 Election. After text messages and emails revealed that FOX hosts like Sean Hannity, Lauren Ingraham, and Tucker Carlson disavowed these ideas yet still promoted them to their audience members, Tucker Carlson has gone on the offense to rewrite history and reignite the dangerous conspiracy theories about the Big Lie and QAnon. In today's episode, we look at the contradictions made by Tucker Carlson and some of the logical fallacies at play. FacebookThe Social Chemist | FacebookInstagramThe Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videosReferencesTucker: This video tells a different story of Jan 6 - YouTubeNews ArticlesDominion lawsuit documents show Rupert Murdoch rejected election conspiracy theories | CNN BusinessNew Fox-Dominion Lawsuit Documents Shed Light on Debate Inside Network - The New York Times (nytimes.com)Republican Lawmakers Split Over Carlson’s False Jan. 6 Claims - The New York Times (nytimes.com)Family of U.S. Capitol Officer Condemns New Footage: 'Frankly Sick of It' (newsweek.com)Fox News-Dominion: Tucker Carlson hates Trump 'passionately,' more (usatoday.com)The Majority Report Tucker’s Dishonest Jan 6 Exposé Is Worse Than Anticipated - YouTube

Send us a textOn today's episode, Ph.D. candidate and librarian Bradley Wiles talks about how conspiracy theories have forced the librarian profession to rethink its code of ethics regarding political propaganda and disinformation. We also touch upon whether media information literacy effectively pulls people out of the rabbit hole. FacebookThe Social Chemist | FacebookInstagramThe Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videosBradley Wiles Scholarly JournalsRe-thinking Information Ethics: Truth, Conspiracy Theories, and Librarians in the COVID-19 Era (degruyter.com)

Send us a textOne of the most prominent conspiracy theories in ancient and contemporary society is that of antisemitism (hatred of  Jews). In recent times influential political pundits such as Nick Fuentes and pop artist, Kanye West have promoted conspiracy theories targeting the Jewish community. Such rhetoric brings much concern among historians and researchers of conspiracy theories who warn people to stay alert to ideologies that historically led to the extermination of 6 million people. Today's episode covers the history and conspiratorial mindset of antisemitism and how affect, behavior, and cognition influence in-groups perceive out-groups. FacebookThe Social Chemist | FacebookInstagramThe Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videosReferencesWhat is antisemitism? | IHRA (holocaustremembrance.com)Antisemitism | Southern Poverty Law Center (splcenter.org)Matthew 27 KJV - When the morning was come, all the - Bible GatewayAnti-Semitism | History, Facts, & Examples | Britannicablood libel | anti-Semitism | BritannicaHistory of Jewish Money Lending (jewishhistory.org)Nostra Aetate | Glossary | ADLScholarly JournalsThe Psychology of Modern Antisemitism: Theory, Research, and Methodology (degruyter.com)An existential threat model of conspiracy theories. - PsycNET (apa.org)BooksWeb of Lies: How to tell fact from fiction in an online world: Gallagher, Aoife: 9780717195121: Amazon.com: Books