Conspiracy Theories Archives

Environment

Conspiracy Theories Hamper the Fight Against Climate Change

New research finds even a brief exposure to a film that portrays climate change as a hoax impacts people's attitudes and intentions.

Tom Jacobs

News in Brief

Has ‘Conspiracy Theory’ Lost Its Negative Connotations?

Research finds the label no longer implies an idea worthy of immediate dismissal.

Tom Jacobs

Environment

Gay Sex Caused the Earthquake in Nepal

And other conspiracy theories.

Nicholas Jackson

Environment

Tracking Down the Owner of Seattle’s Latest Foot Discovery

Fifteen feet have washed up on the shores of the Pacific Northwest in the past decade. Why have they been so vexingly hard to identify?

Spenser Davis

News in Brief

The Truth About Truthers

While it's turned into a disparaging term, being a "truther" once meant you were the opposite of a liar.

Casey N. Cep

Social Justice

Critical Thinker Explains Skepticism vs. Cynicism

Professional skeptic D.J. Grothe explores the difference between skepticism and cynicism and describes how fooling some of the people some of the time is a bad idea all of the time.

Peter M. Nardi

Social Justice

Why bin Laden Death Photos Won’t Change Minds

Whether it’s Osama’s death throes or Obama’s birthplace, a wealth of academic research shows that people believe today what they believed yesterday — even increasingly outlandish conspiracy theories.

Lee Drutman