The Theory Of Conspiracy Theory

The Theory Of Conspiracy Theory
Webinar

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Background: In recent years conspiracy theories have become a hot subject of debate. No longer confined to its own fringe subculture, ‘conspiracism’ – the belief that secret agendas and cabals drive geopolitical and global economic events – is having a real impact politically and socially, as seen with the rise of QAnon and the various allegations about Covid-19 and vaccinations. As a result, conspiracy theories are now the focus of studies by sociologists, psychologists, cultural historians and political scientists, all attempting to answer the important questions they raise. Clive offers his particular take on the subject from his own unique perspective, addressing questions such as: Who is most likely to believe in conspiracy theories – and why? Are they always false or is there sometimes something to them? How can we tell a conspiracy theory from a genuine conspiracy? What characterises a successful theory? How can they be countered? And most fundamental of all, just what is a conspiracy theory?

Speaker:

Clive Prince is a writer, researcher, and occasional broadcaster, over the last 30 years co-author with Lynn Picknett of nonfiction books that, in the words of one reviewer, ‘challenge established and cultural history’. He and Lynn are best known for The Templar Revelation (1997, Transworld) which Dan Brown acknowledged gave him the ‘Big Idea’ for The Da Vinci Code. Documentaries on their work have been made by the BBC, ITV, National Geographic Channel and Channel 5, among others. As their books have often been given the ‘conspiracy theory’ label, Clive has shared conference platforms and airtime with some of the leading (and most notorious) theorists besides getting to know their audience. He’s also engaged with some of the ‘usual suspects’ of conspiracy theory, having worked with members of the security and intelligence community and organisations such as the Freemasons. Clive has researched the history of conspiracism, and closely followed the academic studies – in the hope of finding out if he really is a conspiracy theorist!

Date
Monday, 16 October 2023

Time
11:00 - 11:45 BST

Cost
Free