4. What’s the motive?
Many climate change deniers allege that scientists are working to scam the public and politicians with fraudulent data in an effort of gaining more funding for research, or to get rich off green energy. Similar things are sometimes said of scientists working in research areas related to cancer and AIDS, being influenced by “Big Pharma.”
However, the same research and data has been reproduced and confirmed by a number of scientists living in different countries across the world, and, yet, in many countries regulation of carbon still remains a divisive issue. Scientists could easily make more money working for a policy think tank than as university professors. At the same time, should the alleged conspiracy be uncovered, the consequences could be more severe than what was purportedly to be gained in the first place — the loss of their tenure and professional reputation.
5. The less in control a person feels, the more likely they are to believe in a conspiracy, as are those who feel their power is being threatened — a reason why so many dictators believed their subjects to be plotting against them.
Those less educated are more likely to believe fluoride in drinking water is dangerous, or that human civilization was shaped by extraterrestrials. Education may not always be the cure for believing in a conspiracy theory, however, as the more zealous believers will accuse universities or government organizations of being biased in the numbers they present. Statistics aren’t always airtight, of course, but where’s the evidence that a conspiracy is responsible?
6. While there are a number of similar conspiracy theories floating around, not all conspiracy theorists are the same.
For example, two people may not agree on the scientific consensus of climate change, but one of them may think that global temperatures are dropping, while the other thinks that temperatures are rising due to natural cycles. However, they will come together to rail against the commonly accepted truth before trying to correct each other, thus placing more importance on their emotional connection to the conspiracy rather than relying on an approach based in logic or evidence.
You can see the world as it is, or as you want it to be, something to keep in mind when considering the tenets of any grand conspiracy.
This article was first published in Brain World Magazine’s Winter 2016 issue.
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