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.
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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.
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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.
Romana Didulo, the self-proclaimed ‘Queen of Canada,’ is expanding her reach.
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Romana Didulo and her followers are seeking to replace legitimate governments via their sovereign citizenship movement. Their claims are outrageous and baseless, but they must not be ignored.
Supporters of former President Donald Trump rally in Bedminster, N.J., on Aug. 14, 2022.
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Threats to law enforcement have risen in the aftermath of the FBI raid on former President Trump’s Florida estate. Does ‘message laundering’ by top GOP figures have something to do with it?
Pro-Trump protesters and police clash on Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol.
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With the exception of a few states, dereliction of a duty is mostly used in military law and does not apply to citizens, including US presidents.
A conspiracy theory is formed against Stranger Things character Eddie Munson.
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Season Four of ‘Stranger Things’ shows how easily people are influenced when they’re clamouring for answers during times of uncertainty.