Conspiracies / Truth Advocacy

Ensure that as you read and watch and listen the content used throughout this area of study that you question everything.

Also consider how difficult it is to feel confident about the 'truth'...

Access the Conspiracy Theory Library here

Just Because It Sounds Plausible Doesn t Mean It s True.pdf

Why conspiracy theorists are more likely to see patterns in a painting like this...

Why conspiracy theorists are more likely to see patterns in a painting like this | CBC RadioBelief in conspiracy theories based in ‘illusory pattern perception.’

Where Conspiracy Theorists Steal Their Ideas From _ Truth Hurts.mp4

Where Conspiracy Theorists Steal Their Ideas From

For as long as they’ve existed, conspiracy theories have been laughed off by the mainstream for being too ‘far-fetched’. But actually, many of them haven’t been fetched from very far away at all. In fact, lots of the biggest ones have been lifted straight from pop culture. Bupe Bhima looks at the books, films, shows and songs that have been giving conspiracy theorists sleepless nights for decades.

Jan 7, 2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4hpedzjQZ8

The origin of countless conspiracy theories - PatrickJMT.mp4

The origin of countless conspiracy theories

May 20, 2016

Why can we find geometric shapes in the night sky? How can we know that at least two people in London have exactly the same number of hairs on their head? And why can patterns be found in just about any text — even Vanilla Ice lyrics? PatrickJMT describes the Ramsey theory, which states that given enough elements in a set or structure, some interesting pattern among them is guaranteed to emerge. Lesson by PatrickJMT, animation by Aaron, Sean & Mathias Studios.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88_C-fogY40&t

Investigating TikTok Conspiracy Theories.mp4

Investigating TikTok Conspiracy Theories

May 6, 2024

In this video I investigate and look into as many tiktok conspiracies as I can. First I looked to a mysterious portal found on google earth in the desert of California portal gate. Then I went to the center of the world were people think there is a mysterious cult. After that, I went to the Monster Energy headquarters to find out if there symbol is evil. Finally, I went to the Scientology building to figure out what they do and what happened to Sebastian.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exUXusd9JsI)

How The Simpsons Predict The Future.mp4

How The Simpsons Predict The Future

Mar 27, 2023

What you thought you knew is wrong. Thanks for being here. We’re new. ----- Video by - Chuppl Video Producer - Jack Joyce Research & Asset Producer - Mia Orlando Editing and Animation - Jack Joyce Music - Tom Fox; TFbeats.com Thumbnail - Chad Christensen Special Thanks - Simon Singh Inspiration & Friendship - Iz & Johnny Harris, James Jani, Jordy McNeill, Daniel Steiner, Parjanya Christian Holtz

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwnqWb9l2pQ)

How conspiratorial beliefs spread and how real conspiracies are covered up.pdf

How a conspiracy theory becomes 'real' | CBC RadioGrowing up, PhD student Sarah believed in the literal interpretation of the Bible. Born into a devout evangelical Christian community, she draws on her religious past to understand the visceral belief people acquire in conspiracy theories — from PizzaGate to the 'stolen' 2020 U.S. election.

Scams, conspiracies, and surprising theories on why we fall victim to them | CBC RadioWe’re living in suspicious times, with facts at our fingertips. So why are so many people getting “taken in” — by scams and fraud, conspiracies and misinformation? IDEAS explains why credulity is a universal and persistent human tendency.

When conspiracy theorists win; examining conspiracy theories

How do conspiracy believers get out of the rabbit hole.mp4

Conspiracies: why people change their mind - ABC listenWhat if your entire understanding of the world — your beliefs, how you parent, how you work, how you interact with friends at the pub — all came crashing down? For Stephanie, Jules and Joel — who are all former conspiracy theorists — that was their reality. And digging their way out of the conspiracy rabbit hole came with a whole lot of challenges. Today on All in the Mind: falling into and out of conspiracy ... and rebuilding your life after breaking free. And if you enjoyed listening, you should go back and check out our earlier episode on how to help conspiracy theorists.

The Personal Brands of those ‘Branded’ as Conspiracy Theorists

Select one to answer the questions on.

Alex Jones

Alex Jones.pdf

David Icke

David Icke.pdf

William Milton Cooper

William ‘Bill’ Milton Cooper.pdf

Measuring Adolescents’ Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy theories start to take hold at age 14, study suggestsWe now know a lot about what makes adults fall into conspiracy theories but investigations into how the pull in young people are only just beginning.

British J of Dev Psycho - 2021 - Jolley - Measuring adolescents beliefs in conspiracy theories Development and validation.pdf

British Journal of Developmental Psychology | Wiley Online LibraryFour studies (total n = 961) developed and validated the Adolescent Conspiracy Beliefs Questionnaire (ACBQ). Initial items were developed in collaboration with teachers. An exploratory factor analysi...

Journal of Adolescence - 2024 - Byrne - Conspiracy theory beliefs in the adolescent population A systematic review.pdf

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jad.12316

The Psychology of Conspiracy Theorists: More Than Just Paranoia - Neuroscience NewsA new study delves into the intricate psyche of conspiracy theorists, attributing their beliefs to a mixture of personality traits and motivations.

The dark allure of conspiracy theories, explained by a psychologistBelieving in them is a coping mechanism to deal with an uncertain world.

Belief in conspiracy theories and satisfaction in interpersonal relationshipsResearchers have theorized about how belief in conspiracy theories can negatively affect interpersonal relationships. However, despite growing anecdotal evidence of the effects that conspiracy theori...

The psychological and political correlates of conspiracy theory beliefs - Scientific Reports

A Psychologist Explains 6 Types Of Conspiracy TheoriesFrom the Illuminati and the New World Order to bio-engineered pandemics, conspiracy theories take on various forms. Do you believe any of them?

The Truth About Conspiracy Theories

Not seeing anything above? Reauthenticate

Conspiracies: why people change their mind - ABC listenWhat if your entire understanding of the world — your beliefs, how you parent, how you work, how you interact with friends at the pub — all came crashing down? For Stephanie, Jules and Joel — who are all former conspiracy theorists — that was their reality. And digging their way out of the conspiracy rabbit hole came with a whole lot of challenges. Today on All in the Mind: falling into and out of conspiracy ... and rebuilding your life after breaking free. And if you enjoyed listening, you should go back and check out our earlier episode on how to help conspiracy theorists.

Right out thereA xenophobe, an anti-vaxxer and a COVID sceptic walk into a bar ... Conspiracy theories and the Australian far right is no joke.

The WIRED Guide to Online Conspiracy TheoriesEverything you need to know about George Soros, Pizzagate, and the Berenstain Bears.

Right out thereA xenophobe, an anti-vaxxer and a COVID sceptic walk into a bar ... Conspiracy theories and the Australian far right is no joke.

How conspiracies took root in our cultureUFO hunters and anti-vaxxers might seem like modern phenomena, but they both take inspiration from a little-known anti-science movement.

Not seeing anything above? Reauthenticate

What makes a conspiracy theory?

WHY DO WE BELIEVE IN CONSPIRACY THEORIES?

A psychologist explains why people believe in conspiracy theories

What we can learn from conspiracy theoriesFrom political upheavals to anxieties about sex, technology and women, it turns out conspiracy theories can tell us a lot about what’s going on in our societies – and how to fix them.

Exploring the Psychology Behind ConspiracyHumans are self-interested, opportunist, and better feared than loved. These are common beliefs of Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527 C.E.), a philosopher most infamous for his works The Prince and The Discourses, which display a cynical view of humanity. Machievelli writes that true leaders should act against mercy, humanity, frankness, and religion — all to preserve the...

Psychological benefits of believing conspiracy theories.pdf

Psychological benefits of believing conspiracy theoriesMany people believe conspiracy theories, even though such beliefs are harmful to themselves and their social environment. What is the appeal of conspi…

9/11 Conspiracy Theory Evaluation

Seven Resources Debunking 9/11 Conspiracy TheoriesWith the twentieth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks approaching, we recommend sources for better understanding 9/11 and its aftermath. This week: seven resources that debunk 9…

Debunking 9_11 Myths - Why Conspiracy Theories Can't Stand Up - Edited by James B. Meigs, and Dunbar, David (2011).pdf

9/11 Facts: Explore the evidence, make up your own mind | 911Truth.OrgFact-based, sourced information about the September 11th attacks. Explore the evidence and make up your own mind about what happened on 9/11.

The biggest 9/11 conspiracy theories debunkedWhy do so many still believe the deadliest terrorist attack in America's history was an inside job?

11 September 2001: The conspiracy theories still spreading after 20 yearsConspiracy theories about 9/11 continue to gain traction online, two decades after the attacks.

Suspicious Minds_ Why We Believe Conspiracy Theories _ Rob Brotherton.mp4

Suspicious Minds: Why We Believe Conspiracy Theories | Rob Brotherton

Jan 6, 2018

Why do people believe conspiracy theories? What’s the harm if they do? And just what is a conspiracy theory, anyway? Conspiracy theories captured the attention of philosophers and historians decades ago, but it is only within the last few years that psychologists have begun gathering data on these kinds of questions. In this talk, Rob Brotherton provides a psychological perspective on conspiracism, drawing on his own research as well as other insights explored in his book Suspicious Minds: Why We Believe Conspiracy Theories. In particular, research into cognitive biases and heuristics – quirks in the way our brains are wired – suggests that we’re all intuitive conspiracy theorists; some of us just hide it better than others. Rob Brotherton is an academic psychologist. He completed a PhD on the psychology of conspiracy theories with the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit at Goldsmiths, University of London. He now lives in New York City and teaches classes on conspiracy theories, social psychology, and science communication at Barnard College. This talk was recorded live at CSICon Las Vegas on Saturday, October 28th 2017.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcL9YHJVV8M&t=1s)

Suspicious Minds_ Why We Believe Conspiracy Theories _ Rob Brotherton.mp4

Suspicious Minds: Why We Believe Conspiracy Theories | Rob Brotherton

Jan 6, 2018

Why do people believe conspiracy theories? What’s the harm if they do? And just what is a conspiracy theory, anyway? Conspiracy theories captured the attention of philosophers and historians decades ago, but it is only within the last few years that psychologists have begun gathering data on these kinds of questions. In this talk, Rob Brotherton provides a psychological perspective on conspiracism, drawing on his own research as well as other insights explored in his book Suspicious Minds: Why We Believe Conspiracy Theories. In particular, research into cognitive biases and heuristics – quirks in the way our brains are wired – suggests that we’re all intuitive conspiracy theorists; some of us just hide it better than others. Rob Brotherton is an academic psychologist. He completed a PhD on the psychology of conspiracy theories with the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit at Goldsmiths, University of London. He now lives in New York City and teaches classes on conspiracy theories, social psychology, and science communication at Barnard College. This talk was recorded live at CSICon Las Vegas on Saturday, October 28th 2017.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcL9YHJVV8M&t=1s)

The Cult, Standoff, & Conspiracy of Waco.mp4

The Cult, Standoff, & Conspiracy of Waco

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZwFxWb0y7w

Timestamps Intro - 00:00 Meet the Cult - 3:45 Trouble in Paradise - 22:40 A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy - 46:20 Tyranny and Other Tragedies - 1:13:55 (Insert pretentious outro title here) - 1:32:19

The Siege of Ruby Ridge - An American Standoff, Story, & Controversy.mp4

The Siege of Ruby Ridge - An American Standoff, Story, & Controversy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y0Gq2pf5oc

Top 10 Conspiracy Theories That Turned Out to Be True.mkv

Top 10 Conspiracy Theories That Turned Out to Be True

Aug 15, 2022 #MKUltra #Roswell #Theory

The truth is stranger than fiction. For this list, we’ll be going over the strangest and most famous conspiracy theories that were actually conspiracy facts. Our countdown includes Roswell Cover-Up, The FBI Spied on Political Activists, Watergate Scandal, and more! Is there a theory you once believed that you now realize was a load of baloney? Tell us in the comments!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bldBqtgAX2o

Top 20 Conspiracy Theories That Turned Out to Be True.mkv

Top 20 Conspiracy Theories That Turned Out to Be True

Dec 10, 2022 #Conspiracy #Crime #History

We're excited to announce that The WatchMojo Game (https://wmojo.com/game) is here and available now on Amazon! Canada and UK now in stock! https://wmojo.com/game_canada https://wmojo.com/game_uk

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY7ohtx4IBs)

Top 50 Conspiracy Theories That Turned Out to Be TRUE.mkv

Top 50 Conspiracy Theories That Turned Out to Be TRUE

Dec 9, 2023 #History #True #Facts

Most conspiracy theories are false ... but not all of them. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 50 Conspiracy theories from the realms of history, politics, science, and more, that turned out to be at least somewhat real. Our countdown of conspiracy theories that turned out to be true includes The Philadelphia Experiment, The Dalai Lama Works for the CIA, UFO Investigations, The Iran-Contra Affair, The Watergate Scandal, and more! Which of these conspiracies do you find most disturbing? Let us know in the comments

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4tuBwD34gw)

BIRDS AREN'T REAL

Birds Aren’t Real_ How a Conspiracy Takes Flight _ Peter McIndoe _ TED.mp4

The origin of countless conspiracy theories - PatrickJMT.mp4

Birds Aren’t Real conspiracy creators explain campaign: ‘Fighting lunacy with lunacy’‘It’s taking this concept of misinformation and almost building a little safe space to come together within it and laugh at it, rather than be scared by it’

The origins of "Birds Aren't Real"Peter McIndoe, the creator of the conspiracy parody, told 60 Minutes this week how the movement came to be.

Fact Check: 'Birds Aren't Real' Is NOT A Real Conspiracy -- It's A Parody Social Movement | Lead StoriesIs there a legitimate movement made up of people trying to raise awareness that birds are not real but are...

What Is the 'Birds Aren't Real' Movement?The movement's spokesman insists it's not satire.

AI chatbots can wean people off crazy conspiracy theoriesConversations with a generative AI model can produce a large and lasting decrease in conspiracy beliefs, even among people whose beliefs are deeply entrenched.

There’s only one real way to combat conspiracy theories, says major new review

Can AI talk us out of conspiracy theory rabbit holes?A new experiment shows AI chatbots aren’t only good for spreading disinformation – but it comes with plenty of caveats.

RABBIT HOLE

W5: Why do people fall down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories?

Feb 21, 2021

A pandemic has added fuel to the fire of conspiracy theories. And many people are falling down the rabbit hole of lies...but why? And, more importantly, how can they get back out? W5 investigates the world of online conspiracies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSO2aJvXi8s

Escaping the Rabbit Hole: How to Help Your Conspiracy Theorist Friend with Mick West

Apr 30, 2021

Communicating with a believer of conspiracy theories presents many challenges and may seem like an impossible task. How do you get through to someone who rejects conflicting evidence and thinks that you are part of the problem? Conspiracy Theory Expert Mick West presents a selection of time-tested tools and techniques for understanding and helping a friend lost down the rabbit hole. Mick West is a writer, investigator, and debunker who enjoys looking into the evidence behind conspiracy theories and strange phenomena and then explaining what is actually going on. He runs the Metabunk forum and is the author of the book “Escaping the Rabbit Hole”. This talk took place on April 29, 2021 as part of Skeptical Inquirer Presents. Learn more at skepticalinquirer.org/presents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqt5ai3qrWQ

How Conspiracies Work

Premiered Sep 3, 2020

Have you ever wondered how conspiracy theories begin? In this video, Sabrina and Taha unravel a conspiracy about this channel and discover the key characteristics of a conspiracy, the psychology of conspiracy theories, and ask an expert how to avoid falling down the rabbit hole and wearing a tinfoil hat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w28BLCybd_0