- Summary
- "Conspiracy theories have existed for centuries to rationalize major events and crises, but while they were once relegated to the fringes of discourse, in recent decades, they have increasingly become part of public debate. While many conspiracy theories are innocuous, others-like Holocaust denial-are considered dangerous because of their intention to legitimize racist or otherwise hateful ideologies. This resource examines key debates and topics related to conspiracy theories, including balancing free speech and public safety, the development of conspiracy theorizing over the past century, the role the internet has played, and whether some conspiracy theories can actually benefit society"-- Provided by publisher.
- Series
- Current controversies
Current controversies.
- Format
- Book
- Published
- New York, NY : Greenhaven Publishing, LLC, 2021
©2021
- Edition
- First edition
- Contents
-
Are conspiracy theories dangerous? Overview: Conspiracy theories have long been part of American public discourse / Liberty Vittert
Law enforcement indicated that conspiracy theories can be directly linked to extremism / Jason Wilson
Reports indicate a connection between conspiracy theories and domestic terrorism / Luke Barnes
Conspiracy theories change how some people behave in dangerous ways / Timothy Callaghan and Matt Motta
Conspiracy theories spread quickly, sow doubt, and dehumanize the victims of tragedies / The Information Disorder Lab Team
People with certain psychological traits are likely to believe in conspiracy theories / Joshua Hart
Conspiracy theories are not harmful by nature and can even hold those in power accountable / Daniel Cohnitz
Conspiracy theorists can see reason / Mark Lorch
Does the Internet spread conspiracy theories? Overview: The Internet interacts with conspiracy theories in unique ways / Joe Uscinski
Internet is making it possible for falsehoods to spread quicker than ever before / David Dunning
Conspiracy theories have entered mainstream conversation because of the Internet / David Greene
In order to fight Holocaust denial, it is important to understand how it spreads / Joe Mulhall
Conspiracy theories have always spread via mass communication, including print publishing / Matt Novak
Internet doesn't spread conspiracy theories, it just provides a forum for those who believe them / Karen Douglas
Root paranoia of conspiracy theories has long been a part of American culture / Brandon Sanchez
Should Holocaust denial be legal? Overview: Holocaust denial is at odds with history, fact, and tolerance / Scott Miller
Laws are not an effective means of addressing Holocaust denial / Timothy Garton Ash
Laws banning Holocaust denial are at odds with the Constitution and free speech / Kenneth Lasson
Using laws to shape historical memory can have sinister consequences / Eric Heinze
Those who deny the Holocaust are denying history and in some countries face legal consequences / Volker Wagener
Holocaust denial is not just speech
it poses a threat to society / Jeremy Bilfield
Holocaust denial is hate speech that should not be defended / Elana Heideman
Limits of free speech in the classroom and beyond / Jennifer Rich
Can conspiracy theories be stopped? Overview: Many factors are at play in conspiracy theorizing / Kendra Cherry
It is difficult, but possible, to counter conspiracy theories in court / Enrique Armijo
Education could be a path to reducing widespread belief in conspiracy theories / Tania Lombrozo
Fighting the irrational can be difficult / Phil Whitby
Inequality plays a role in the spread of conspiracy theories / University of Cambridge
Trusting in intuition encourages belief in conspiracy theories / R. Kelly Garrett
Organizations to contact.
- Other Authors/Editors
- Heing, Bridey, editor.
- Notes
-
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Are conspiracy theories dangerous? Overview: Conspiracy theories have long been part of American public discourse / Liberty Vittert -- Law enforcement indicated that conspiracy theories can be directly linked to extremism / Jason Wilson -- Reports indicate a connection between conspiracy theories and domestic terrorism / Luke Barnes -- Conspiracy theories change how some people behave in dangerous ways / Timothy Callaghan and Matt Motta -- Conspiracy theories spread quickly, sow doubt, and dehumanize the victims of tragedies / The Information Disorder Lab Team -- People with certain psychological traits are likely to believe in conspiracy theories / Joshua Hart -- Conspiracy theories are not harmful by nature and can even hold those in power accountable / Daniel Cohnitz -- Conspiracy theorists can see reason / Mark Lorch -- Does the Internet spread conspiracy theories? Overview: The Internet interacts with conspiracy theories in unique ways / Joe Uscinski -- Internet is making it possible for falsehoods to spread quicker than ever before / David Dunning -- Conspiracy theories have entered mainstream conversation because of the Internet / David Greene -- In order to fight Holocaust denial, it is important to understand how it spreads / Joe Mulhall -- Conspiracy theories have always spread via mass communication, including print publishing / Matt Novak -- Internet doesn't spread conspiracy theories, it just provides a forum for those who believe them / Karen Douglas -- Root paranoia of conspiracy theories has long been a part of American culture / Brandon Sanchez -- Should Holocaust denial be legal? Overview: Holocaust denial is at odds with history, fact, and tolerance / Scott Miller -- Laws are not an effective means of addressing Holocaust denial / Timothy Garton Ash -- Laws banning Holocaust denial are at odds with the Constitution and free speech / Kenneth Lasson -- Using laws to shape historical memory can have sinister consequences / Eric Heinze -- Those who deny the Holocaust are denying history and in some countries face legal consequences / Volker Wagener -- Holocaust denial is not just speech--it poses a threat to society / Jeremy Bilfield -- Holocaust denial is hate speech that should not be defended / Elana Heideman -- Limits of free speech in the classroom and beyond / Jennifer Rich -- Can conspiracy theories be stopped? Overview: Many factors are at play in conspiracy theorizing / Kendra Cherry -- It is difficult, but possible, to counter conspiracy theories in court / Enrique Armijo -- Education could be a path to reducing widespread belief in conspiracy theories / Tania Lombrozo -- Fighting the irrational can be difficult / Phil Whitby -- Inequality plays a role in the spread of conspiracy theories / University of Cambridge -- Trusting in intuition encourages belief in conspiracy theories / R. Kelly Garrett -- Organizations to contact.