The Social Chemist

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

Send us a textOn today's episode, Dr. Benjamin Dow, an academic researcher in the field of conspiratorial ideologies and professor at Southern Methodist University (SMU), joins me to discuss conspiracy theories within politics and whether major left-wing conspiracy theories exist in the 2022 political arena.  More importantly, we examine whether conspiracy theories can lead to political extremism and encapsulated psychosis. FacebookThe Social Chemist | FacebookInstagram The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videosPh.D. Benjamin Dow TwitterBenjamin Dow (@benjaminjdow) / TwitterPh.D. Benjamin Dow journal articles/reports How Did COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Get So Out of Control? (northwestern.edu)Support for leaders who use conspiratorial rhetoric: The role of personal control and political identity - ScienceDirectThe COVID‐19 pandemic and the search for structure: Social media and conspiracy theories - PMC (nih.gov)Sense of control and conspiracy perceptions: Generative directions on a well-worn path - ScienceDirectMitigating and managing COVID-19 conspiratorial beliefs (bmj.com)The Social Chemist ReferencesConspiracy Theories: Evolved Functions and Psychological Mechanisms (sagepub.com)The Social Chemist Recommended EpisodesThe Harm of 5G EMF Radiation: Science or Pseudoscience? w/ Tim Sandars: Part 1 (buzzsprout.com)The Harm of 5G EMF Radiation: Science or Pseudoscience? w/ Tim Sandars: Part 2 (buzzsprout.com)

Send us a textOn today's episode, Aoife Gallagher from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) and author of Web of Lies: The Lures and Dangers of Conspiracy Theories joins me to discuss her expertise on misinformation and conspiratorial ideologies. In our discussion, we cover her background as a digital researcher, look at what constitutes a conspiracy theorist and theory, and assess whether conspiracy theory addiction should be included in the revision of the Diagnostic Statistic Manual (DSM). FacebookThe Social Chemist | FacebookInstagramThe Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videosAoife Gallagher TwitterAoife Gallagher 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ (@aoifegall) / TwitterWeb of Lies: Lure and Dangers of Conspiracy TheoriesWeb of Lies: The Lure and Danger of Conspiracy Theories by Aoife Gallagher | eBook | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)Aoife Gallagher Research ReportsThe Genesis of a Conspiracy Theory - ISD (isdglobal.org)Profit and Protest: How Facebook is struggling to enforce limits on ads spreading hate, lies and scams about the Black Lives Matter protests - ISD (isdglobal.org)Other Podcast AppearancesWTS 277: Aoife Gallagher - What's the Story? Podcast | Podcast on SpotifyA concrete issue, Aoife Gallagher and Ye's Abhorrent Behaviour - Catch Up with Louise McSharry | Podcast on SpotifyNews ArticlesConspiracy Theories, Such As QAnon, Appear To Gain Ground In Britain : NPRWeb of Lies: Exploring the murky world of online extremism and misinformation | Business Post

Send us a textRight-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones was obligated to pay the family members of the Sandy Hook massacre 965 million dollars after the jury ruled that Jones had abused his influence and enabled radical conspiracists to harrassed and send death threats to people like Robbie Parker, Lenny Pozner, and others. Since that ruling, many in the conspiratorial community have changed their understanding of the Sandy Hook conspiracy theory as not being a false flag operation to take away our Second Amendment (Right to Bare Arms) but the first (Freedom of Speech). In this episode, we listen to Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk and assess his take on the ruling against Alex Jones and explore why the Sandy Hook conspiracy theory backfired on Jones. FacebookThe Social Chemist | FacebookInstagram The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videosReferencesAlex Jones Fined 1 Billion Dollars?? With Jack Posobiec - The Charlie Kirk Show | Podcast on SpotifyNews ReportsAlex Jones ordered to pay $965 million for Sandy Hook lies | AP NewsSandy Hook Shooting: Lucy Richards Gets Prison for Threats | TimeA Notorious Sandy Hook Tormentor Is Arrested in Florida - The New York Times (nytimes.com)Sandy Hook Father Awarded $450,000 In Conspiracy Theorist Suit – Rolling StoneZuckerberg clarifies: ‘I personally find Holocaust denial deeply offensive, and I absolutely didn’t intend to defend the intent of people who deny that.’ - VoxOpinion | Alex Jones Picked On the Wrong People - The New York Times (nytimes.com)Book RecommendationSandy Hook: An American Tragedy and the Battle for Truth: Williamson, Elizabeth: 9781524746575: Amazon.com: BooksRecommended Social Chemist EpisodesThe Conspiratorial Mindset Behind Sandy Hook Elementary School (buzzsprout.com)The Transactional Relationship Between Conspiracy Theory Producer & Consumer (buzzsprout.com)Meg SceneThe Meg (2018) - I'm Going to Make It Bleed Scene (10/10) | Movieclips - YouTube