Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg prepares to testify in Washington DC, in 2018 concerning revelations about the company’s sharing data with Cambridge Analytica, a consulting firm linked to Donald Trump.
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Mark Zuckerberg says he wants the world to be more “open and connected”, but his decision to block archiving the company’s social media content argues otherwise.
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It’s about designing cities that prioritise people not cars.
Protesters in New Zealand’s parliament grounds in early 2022.
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A new book examining New Zealand’s extreme and alt-right movements tackles an important issue. But it could have defined its terms better and provided more evidence for its claims.
A QAnon supporter stands outside the White House.
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The mysterious QAnon network is becoming an international movement, and an estimated 22% of Americans back one of its core beliefs.
These conversations may be difficult, but they’re important.
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Attacking the beliefs of conspiracy theorists is only likely to make them dig their heels in.
Many people in Turkey believe in a conspiracy theory about the 1923 Lausanne treaty.
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Around 43% of university graduates in Turkey believe a conspiracy theory that secret clauses are about to be revealed from a 100-year-old treaty.
Belief in conspiracy theories is often linked to lack of trust in institutions.
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Millions of British people believe in at least one conspiracy theory, but research shows how to tackle them.
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Those who feel disenfranchised from mainstream leaders are vulnerable to falling for the promises of online ‘leaders’ and ‘alt-moral entrepreneurs’.
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Why deep state conspiracies keep on spinning out of control.
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Conspiracy beliefs can be motivators for actual or attempted violence against specific people, places, and organisations. What should, and shouldn’t, police do to counter them?
A man holding a Q sign waits in line to enter a Donald Trump rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., in 2018.
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The key to understanding online conspiracy theorists is to understand how the line between fantasy and reality can become blurred.
One in seven believe that victims of the Manchester arena bombing were ‘crisis actors’.
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One in seven respondents believed the victims of the Manchester terrorist attack were ‘crisis actors’.
Jim Marchant, Republican candidate for Nevada secretary of state, arrives at a rally in Henderson on Nov. 6, 2022.
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Voters mostly did not cast their ballots for chief election administration officials who deny the 2020 election. But the hyperpartisan trend could further erode trust in elections.
Almay
No, Avril Lavigne isn’t dead – the science behind conspiracy theories.
A Ukrainian serviceman inspects a classroom with a sign ‘Z’ on the door used by Russian forces in the retaken area of Kapitolivka, Ukraine, Sept. 25, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin spread an outlandish conspiracy theory to justify military invasion of Ukraine.
(AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Many conspiracy theories and disinformation are rooted in antisemitic tropes which spread harm and undermine our democratic institutions.
When asked to recall the popular children’s book series ‘The Berenstain Bears,’ many people make the same error by spelling it ‘The Berenstein Bears.’
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People are puzzled when they learn they share the same false memories with others. That’s partly because they assume that what they remember and forget ought to be based only on personal experience.
A man holds a QAnon sign outside the White House. Even if most people don’t act on their conspiratorial beliefs, such theories can still pose very real dangers.
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Many of those who believe conspiracy theories do not necessarily act on those beliefs. Nevertheless, conspiracy theories can still spread dangerous misinformation that can cause harm.
Lies don’t have to spread far to cause problems.
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Worrying about how many people believe false ideas misses the real danger – that people are influenced by them whether they believe them or not.
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Belief in conspiracy theories can be incredibly damaging. So we must resist, and engage with those who deny the facts where possible.
A quarter of a century after the Paris car crash, conspiracy theories about Diana’s death persist.
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Conspiracy theories help people make sense of chaos and tragedy by finding a ‘reason’ behind the coincidences.