How To Rescue Someone From a Conspiracy Theory
How To! with Mike Pesca
Peach Fish Projects
4.3 • 2K Ratings
🗓️ 24 November 2020
⏱️ 27 minutes
🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS
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Summary
Matt's dad believes some crazy conspiracy theories—that the moon landing was faked, that JFK's assassination was an inside job, and that QAnon is real. Matt can't stand talking about politics—or really anything—with his dad these days, but he's desperate to preserve their relationship. In this episode of How To!, we bring on Colin Dickey, cultural historian and author of The Unidentified, to explain why conspiracy theories are more popular than ever. To get through to a loved one, Colin says, don't dismiss the conspiracy theory outright. If you want any hope of changing someone's mind you have to first understand the void that it may be filling in their life.
If you liked this episode, check out "How To Confront a Crazy Neighbor With Tig Notaro."
Do you have a struggling relationship with a family member? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show.
Transcript
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| 0:30.3 | This was probably the first time of my life when I got the sense that this was important |
| 0:34.9 | to somebody not because they were stupid or easily duped or paranoid. This was important to somebody, not because they were stupid or easily duped or paranoid, |
| 0:39.8 | this was important to somebody because he really cared about the well-being of children. |
| 0:44.5 | And that really, like, you know, affirms him. |
| 0:47.3 | And I hadn't really had that kind of empathy towards conspiracy theorists before that moment. |
| 0:52.8 | You're listening to How To. I'm Charles Duhigg. |
| 0:56.0 | Conspiracy theories are not a new thing. |
| 1:00.0 | But right now, it sort of feels like they're everywhere, way more than before. |
| 1:04.0 | It used to be that only crazy people told you that the moon landing had been faked or that 9-11 was an inside job. But these days everyone seems to have a favorite conspiracy theory. |
| 1:14.6 | If you have a windmill anywhere near your house, congratulations. |
| 1:18.6 | They say the noise causes cancer. You tell me that one, okay? |
| 1:22.6 | There are these conspiracy theories like Q&on that are sucking in sensible, well-meaning people, |
| 1:28.9 | even elected representatives. |
| 1:31.2 | But what do you do when it hits close to home? |
| 1:33.9 | Meet Matt from London. |
| 1:35.9 | You know, my family is one of, I'm sure, millions that are very much affected by this. |
| 1:40.3 | In the last few years, Matt's sister and his stepmom have started dabbling in conspiracy theories, |
| 1:45.5 | like believing that vaccines cause autism or that the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax. |
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