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Conspiracy Theories

Brian Cox and Robin Ince are joined by Shazia Mirza, Dr David Robert Grimes and Prof Karen Douglas to look at conspiracy theories. Is fiction easier to believe than fact?

Brian Cox and Robin Ince are joined on stage by comedian Shazia Mirza, science writer and cancer researcher Dr David Robert Grimes and psychologist Prof Karen Douglas to look at the weird world of conspiracy theories. From Flat Earth believers to people who refuse to accept that humans have ever been to the moon, why is fiction often so much easier to believe than fact - and does it matter? They discuss the psychology and profile of people who are more likely to believe in conspiracies and the devastating effect some, like the anti-vaccine movement, have had on public health. They ask whether being irrational is our default setting and how to convince the most hard-core believers with the power of evidence and critical thinking. Although they would say that wouldnt' they?

Producer: Alexandra Feachem

Available now

33 minutes

Last on

Tue 21 Jan 2020 23:00

Broadcasts

  • Mon 20 Jan 2020 16:30
  • Tue 21 Jan 2020 23:00

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