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How to Talk About Conspiracy Theories: Advice from Sense about Science

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Haafizah Hoosen, Ask for Evidence Ambassador, Sense about Science

July 02, 2020

Conspiracy theories are something that are constantly circulating, and this is no different during this pandemic. They are often more than misinformation and can offer people an alternate reality to the one we are living in. They can provide explanations for things that are without explanation or provide misinformation to fill in the gaps where information is not present. Often, people that subscribe to conspiracy theories will subscribe to them in many areas of life, so when approaching someone who has spread or presented this type of information to you, debunking it will likely not be easy. It can be viewed as a belief, and debunking one area may have knock-on effects on other areas of their life.

Sense about Science has produced a great infographic on ways to approach this topic:

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, conspiracy theories around the pandemic are a common occurrence. For example, sources claiming to have a “cure” are definitely something to approach with skepticism. While new novel treatments are being researched all the time, most (if not all) of these treatment options are still in early stages and are only suitable in a research-based environment. Any claims relating to a “cure” would not be from a trusted source. Vaccines are in the pipeline, though they are still in early testing phases and therefore not available for the public until deemed safe and effective for use.

The recent Plandemic documentary is a highlight of how a conspiracy theory can be viewed as a reliable source of information and can be spread across the globe, despite being widely debunked. Another modern example of a conspiracy theory that has taken hold within some communities is the concept of “Chemtrails.” These are just two of the examples where pseudoscience has been positioned as factual and taken root in society.

Misinformation will always be present. However, in times like these, humans are more vulnerable to accepting it as truth, as it can be a source of hope or light during an extremely uncertain time. What we must remember is that in a pandemic, where there is so much we don’t know, subscribing to or spreading misinformation can be dangerous to our health, both mental and physical. Nor will it help in containing or managing the virus, nor get us back to the sense of normality we crave.

By engaging in and initiating conversations about the truth of information being received, we are placing ourselves in a much better position to navigate the minefield of misinformation out in the world. 

For more resources to support difficult debates or your conversations about evidence, follow Sense about Science’s Ask for Evidence Campaign.

Read additional tips from Haafizah Hoosen and Sense about Science on fighting misinformation here.

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