Why Conspiracy Theories Are More Dangerous Than Ever

Max Boot: “Every great disaster of the past century has brought forth conspiracy-mongers… What’s different about this particular moment in conspiracy history? Three things, I think.”

“First, conspiracy theories spread more efficiently by social media than by previous communications media. The online world is a post-truth space where there are no undisputed facts, only competing narratives, and even the most deranged claims (e.g., QAnon) can aggregate an audience.”

“Second, the stakes are higher now. It doesn’t much matter if someone thinks that UFOs landed at Roswell, N.M., or that Elvis is still alive — but it matters greatly if someone thinks that the coronavirus isn’t real or that a vaccine may be more dangerous than the disease. Such beliefs, if they become widespread, pose a danger to public health. Indeed, anti-vaccine activists are already a menace.”

“Third, we now have an unhinged conspiracy-monger in the White House.”