Note: This article is based on a blog post by Chris Guillebeau, in which he tells us how to talk to people who believe in conspiracy theories.
I had planned to write a lengthy piece outlining the latest research as well as offering some suggestions for how to reassert reality for the people you care about, but the more I read, the more frustrated I became. Bottom line: This is extremely difficult, or at least it is difficult if your goal is to convince someone to change their mind.
Although it's possible that these people watched a YouTube video that confirmed their current beliefs, listing facts doesn't seem to be of any use to them. Even if the truth is revealed, at least for the majority of people, it won't matter because they will simply reuse the new information in a way that supports their beliefs.
The truth is that we are all perplexed, and while it may seem unbelievable that so many people experience this issue and it seems more challenging to find a solution to it, here is what I came up with:
It’s Not Wrong to Be Skeptical or Suspicious
The term "Conspiracy Theories" is problematic in itself, as Many things that we used to think were absurd are now widely accepted as true. Now, there is credible evidence that extraterrestrials exist somewhere, or at least they might exist, and the United States government (U.S.) has withheld information about this from people for many decades.
Also, technology companies like Google and Facebook monitor your private communications and share them with governments around the world.
There are numerous other examples, but there are also many "conspiracy theories" that are harmful and false, so just because some of them turn out to be true does not imply that everything else they "tell us" is incorrect.
Conspiracy Theories Are Interdependent and Hard to Break Out of
Here's what I discovered while doing research for this article: The most obvious sign that someone believes in a conspiracy is that they also believe in other conspiracy theories, as once someone gets involved in these things, they tend to become more and more immersed in them. (Due to the fact that their algorithms are designed to manipulate "engagement" above all other values, YouTube and Facebook both share some of the real responsibility for this.)
Susceptibility to believing in conspiracies is increased by beliefs. “The main lesson I learned about conspiracy theories is that they are believed because they are convenient for people who believe in them,” as the English author Alan Moore put it. “The world's reality is incredibly confusing. Both the Grays' theory and the Illuminati's beliefs do not correspond to reality. Nothing can be controlled, and the truth is much more terrifying, and the world is an unknown place.”
Therefore, it makes sense for people to be suspicious about some things, and it might even be comforting to believe that someone, somewhere, is messing with everything. However, the question still stands: How do you converse with someone who holds a conspiracy theory?
Here Are Five Suggestions
1. Understanding the Emotions Behind Their Beliefs
They believe in conspiracy theories as there is now a whole community that welcomes and loves them after they believed that they were unwelcome, as they were told earlier.
2. Asking Questions
One straightforward question to pose to them is, “Do you really believe that?” Unexpectedly, the response is frequently, “I'm not sure.” Therefore, let me restate the question: Is it conceivable that something I found online could be entirely incorrect? (Reminding people of Occam's razor, which states that the simplest solution is the most likely solution, might be helpful.)
3. Finding Common Denominators
Again, it's often simpler said than done. However, this is crucial. If you don't trust the government, that's understandable, and if you're concerned about your child's health, that's also understandable. But we frequently disagree on how to address these issues, and we might also start to assume that most people are not intentionally dishonest
4. Not Blaming Them If They Change Their Minds and Agree with You
It is far preferable to welcome people who change their minds than to hold it against them because people only do so when it is convenient for them. Moreover, saying "I told you so" is useless. It would be better to say, "I am really glad you are back on the right track."
5. Learning to Separate Values from Beliefs
Author Jonathan Fields has some of the most insightful things to say. Jonathan said he had discovered how to distinguish between values and beliefs. To put it another way, if you develop relationships based on shared values, you might occasionally come across beliefs that conflict with your own, and if your values remain aligned, you'll be ready to accept that the other person's beliefs might never change.
Values and Beliefs
The last suggestion is the one I've given the most thought to, because what else can you do if you can't persuade someone to agree with you? You can either ignore it completely or assimilate it.
I also realize that this is a mistake I've made in the past because I've always wanted to write for readers who feel excluded or misunderstood. By jumping to conclusions about certain topics, even when my judgment is sound, I could unnecessarily exclude some readers, and I don't want to do that.
To be clear, this does not imply that you, I, or anyone else should be ashamed of sharing their personal beliefs. You still need to be honest with yourself and avoid impartiality when discussing contemporary moral issues, among other things, but it is important to distinguish between values and beliefs.
In Conclusion
People who believe in conspiracy theories hold onto their ideas and beliefs and give them an emotional dimension. Understanding their perspective and how they came to it is necessary if you care about them and don't want to end your relationship with them.
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