Beware, Not All Conspiracies Are Created Equal
Conspiracy theories don’t mean unquestioningly accepting all theories.
Conspiracy theories only worsen societal divides, whether they pertain to socioeconomic status, racial identity, religious beliefs, or nationality.
They fuel existing hatred and turn it towards perceived enemies. For instance, after the spread of the belief that vaccines cause autism, communities have seen heated debates, protests, and even physical altercations at local school board meetings.
Or consider the widespread fascination with theories about ancient astronauts influencing human civilization — these ideas sparked entire television series and books but also diverted attention from academic archaeological research.
While someone might incorrectly believe that spinach has more iron than it does due to a simple measurement mistake, believing that a secret society controls world governments is a more elaborate and dangerous fallacy.
Navigating a world where conspiracy theories are the dominant language does not mean unquestioningly accepting all theories. It requires a higher level of critical thinking than simply reading a newspaper, as publishers and editors can no longer guarantee the truth to their readers.
