Category: Uncategorized

Resources For Addressing Conspiracy Theories

Kia Ora All!

I am making this post open for all, so it can be accessed and shared.

Last night it was announced that we have community transmission in Aotearoa again.

This was always going to happen, we were never going to remain Covid-free forever given that:

– Covid can remain latent in your system and show up later on
– It is still largely out of control around the world
Our border controls are good AND important but were only ever going to reduce the risk, not eliminate it.

Naturally, the conspiracy theorists are now in full swing, saying that it was always predicted this would happen. It’s a huge shame that the very good job we did, through quality information sharing and working as a team, is being turned around to suggest that we over-reacted. 
It’s also very understandable, given our history, why Maori in particular (but also working class) whanau do not trust authorities, science, and the government, as I recently wrote about: https://e-tangata.co.nz/comment-and-analysis/the-rise-of-maori-maga/

That said – the rise of conspiracy theories, in no small part inflamed by the New Zealand Public Party and Destiny Church, mean that we now have to contend with people who will actively work against the very important and effective tools of quality information and collective efforts.

Misinformation is such an important issue, especially right now, lives are literally dependent upon it. So I think it’s worth us taking time to educate ourselves about it AS an issue.
I don’t have all the answers to combatting misinformation, but I am committed to sharing tools that can help us along the way. Sending aroha out to all of you who are trying to navigate relationships impacted by this phenomena. Here are some resources that can help us to understand how conspiracy theories work, how to talk about them with your whanau, and what people are trying around the world, that works.

I will add to this list as I come across good resources.

Kia kaha xxx

Peer reviewed publications:

COVID-19–Related Infodemic and Its Impact on Public Health: A Global Social Media Analysis
http://www.ajtmh.org/content/journals/10.4269/ajtmh.20-0812;jsessionid=u-hCdzaQbZmZF2v5psgSx9NH.ip-10-241-1-122#abstract_content

Articles:

Our Ancestors Were Not Conspiracy Theorists: https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/17-08-2020/our-ancestors-were-not-conspiracy-theorists/

Talking with Patient Zero (interview with someone who started a conspiracy theory) : https://webworm.substack.com/p/webworm-talks-to-the-man-who-started

How to Spot a Conspiracy Theory: https://theconversation.com/how-to-spot-a-conspiracy-theory-when-you-see-one-133574

How to talk to whānau about conspiracies: https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/13-08-2020/how-to-talk-to-whanau-about-conspiracies/?fbclid=IwAR3v3BCNN9UFAPGSS5yXw1H4gRB79b4O7RJBnwHpKeYW4ZhtEbPG4XvMgrM

I’ve been talking to conspiracy theorists for 20 years here are my 6 rules of engagement: https://theconversation.com/ive-been-talking-to-conspiracy-theorists-for-20-years-here-are-my-six-rules-of-engagement-143132?fbclid=IwAR3i09FzxXpRSEGT2cVffnPooMIrKDTuzuRK1KeZGALEjkAGy88_i8BAEVs

How to talk someone out of a damaging cult: https://theconversation.com/how-to-talk-someone-out-of-a-damaging-cult-68930
https://theconversation.com/the-ironclad-logic-of-conspiracy-theories-and-how-to-break-it-31684

Ebooks:

Jess Berentson-Shaw A Matter of Fact https://www.bwb.co.nz/books/matter-fact

Mick West: Escaping the Rabbit Hole: How to Debunk Conspiracy Theories Using Facts, Logic, and Respect.https://www.amazon.com/Escaping-Rabbit-Hole-Conspiracy-Theories-ebook/dp/B077YS5G2N

Websites and Podcast episodes: 

David Farrier’s Webworm site has numerous articles on conspiracy theories: https://webworm.substack.com/p/webworms-conspiracy-coverage-so-far

Podcast on how people build their arguments along the themes of: ‘trust’, ‘alternatives’, ‘safety’, and ‘conspiracy’. https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/the-detail/story/2018692973/the-detail-the-anti-vaccination-conversation

Behind the Bastards – exploring the worst peeps in history, Episode 1: Bill Cooper, the man who killed truth (the OG conspiracy theorist): https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-behind-the-bastards-29236323/episode/part-one-bill-cooper-the-man-68407468/

Professional conspiracy theory debunker Mike Rothschild: https://themikerothschild.com/

Podcast episode with Mick West, author of Down the Rabbithole: https://www.tftrh.com/2019/05/03/episode-2-mike-rothschild-discussing-qanon/

Podcast episode: Why are there so many coronavirus conspiracy theories?:
https://theconversation.com/why-are-there-so-many-coronavirus-conspiracy-theories-listen-to-part-six-of-our-expert-guide-136664

Podcast episode: How conspiracy theories spread: https://theconversation.com/how-conspiracy-theories-spread-listen-to-part-four-of-our-expert-guide-135596