Conspiracy theories - Rationale Magazine

15 Apr

How paranormal beliefs help people cope in uncertain times

15/04/2025
By Neil Dagnall
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Paranormal beliefs create a sense of control, predictability and comfort in uncertain times, according to academic studies. That...

13 Aug

Feature series, Science & Health

From my brush with breast cancer, I know the value of science – and the need to defend it – more than ever

This article is part of our ‘Celebrate Science’ feature series to mark National Science Week, 10-18 August 2024. Many people are no...

09 Apr

Philosophy & Psychology

The psychology behind irrational opinions

Most people, at one time or another, act foolishly. However, truly ignorant individuals exhibit a lack of introspection and stubbornly ...

26 Feb

Philosophy & Psychology

How to help people get out of misinformation rabbit holes

02/03/2024
By Emily Booth
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As misinformation and radicalisation rise, it’s tempting to look for something to blame: the internet, social media personalities, sens...

20 Feb

Science & Health

How to inoculate against climate misinformation

Last year, the world experienced the hottest day ever recorded, as we endured the first year where temperatures were 1.5°C warme...

03 Feb

Philosophy & Psychology

How thinking styles explain susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs

03/02/2024
By Darel Cookson
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Over the last two decades, and in particular over the last five years, there has been a growing scientific interest in conspirac...

13 Oct

Law & Politics

Voice conspiracies follow the ‘fake news’ playbook

13/10/2023
By Micah Goldwater
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Australians preparing to vote in the Indigenous Voice referendum are facing a barrage of conspiracy theories: baseless allega...

16 Mar

Philosophy & Psychology

The tyranny of story

16/03/2023
By Ian Robinson
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Story was once a tool for understanding the world and for improving it. The hero or heroine always defeated the monsters. Today, sto...

17 Feb

Law & Politics

The spread of QAnon beyond the United States

17/02/2023
By Robert Dover
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The name crops up all over the place, but many people have no real understanding of what QAnon is, or why an estimated 22 per cent o...

02 Nov

History

How Hitler conspiracies and other Holocaust disinformation undermine democratic institutions

03/11/2022
By Carson Phillips
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Godwin’s Law posits that any online argument, if it continues long enough, will inevitably invoke a comparison to Hitler. Per...

28 Aug

Science & Health

Misinformation: The common thread between pandemics

Since health officials confirmed the first COVID-19 cases, misinformation has spread just as quickly as the virus. Social med...

01 Aug

Letters to the Editor

The American scream

Editor’s note: If you would like to submit a letter for possible publication, please email it to editor@rationalist.com.au. See our ...

Tag Archives: Conspiracy theories