EPISODE 100 | Conspirasphere Rising - A Talk w/Derek Arnold (Because Reasons 9)

Guest: Derek Arnold, Senior Instructor at Villanova University, where he teaches a course on The Rhetoric of Conspiracy Theories

The modern conspirasphere sort of starts with the assassination of JFK, and events in the two decades that follow help shape a growing trend toward conspiracy thinking in the United States. Mr. Arnold teaches his students all about this, and also offers guidance in how to construct a toolkit for analyzing conspiracy theories that they can take with them out into the world.

This is our 100th episode! What a long, strange trip it's been. Thank you for your past support!

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SECTIONS

1. 03:14 - 2012: A Beginning - Apocalyptic thinking creates some good stories, an overview of some motivations for belief
2. 11:24 - JFK Kicks It Off - Liberals have deep distrust, conservatives hate Communism, both are fighting what they think is the "good fight", Flower Power on one side and Nixon on the other
3. 21:17 - Post-Watergate - Conservatives search for a new Wallace, Reagan invents the soundbite
4. 28:01 - Pop Culture Gets Weird - Woo rising, fantasy films succeed, things are getting better or worse (depending on your perspective)
5. 29:58 - The New Age Movement Comes of Age - Faith replaces proof for some, volume becomes authority
6. 33:05 - Four Tools for the Conspiracy Toolkit - Cui Bono, Occam's Razor, How Many People, Falsifiability

• Music by Fanette Ronjat

More Info: 

• Derek Arnold at Villanova University
• Villanova University Offers Course On Conspiracy Theories on CBS News Philadelphia
• From Bigfoot to JFK, Villanova Students Study Conspiracy Theories on Delco Today
• Villanova professor discusses conspiracies theories linked to the moon landing 
• Why Princess Diana conspiracies refuse to die by Derek Arnold in The Conversation
• How Donald Trump Changed the Way College Students Learn About Conspiracy Theories in Time Magazine
• Conspiracy theory mentality on WHYY PBS radio
• “We sometimes just want to believe” - the theory behind conspiracy theories on KYW Newsradio
• Five Hidden Benefits of Gossip in Fast Company

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