Conspiracies & Conspiracy Theories: What We Should and Shouldn't Believe - and Why

Listening Length: 6 hours and 30 minutes

The stuff of conspiracy theories makes for great, entertaining stories in movies, books, and television. And there is no shortage of subjects: from who really killed JFK to the truth behind 9/11. And then, there are subjects from alien invasions to the Moon landing was simulated - theories that are truly out of this world, which according to some, is flat. Many of these crazy concepts have jumped off the pages or screens to become so pervasive in our culture that thousands - even millions - subscribe to them as reality.

Does the idea that millions of Americans buy into conspiracy theories feel like a ... conspiracy? Consider that:

81 percent believes more than one person was responsible for the assassination of John F. Kennedy;
One-third of this country believes 9/11 was an "inside job" by the Bush administration;
21 percent believes aliens crash-landed in Roswell and are being hidden in Area 51; and
Seven percent believes the Moon landing was faked.
What causes people, frequently well-educated and highly regarded people, to advocate these unfounded - often disproven - ideas as reality? And more disturbing, why is the power of conspiracies so compelling - powerful enough to motivate people to act, to even participate in horrific undertakings?

In this eye-opening Audible Original, Professor Michael Shermer takes you through some of the most prevalent conspiracy theories of history, giving you a foundational understanding of how and why they came about, who was likely to believe and perpetuate them, and the reality behind the beliefs. Whether you are looking for the truth that is out there; fascinated by the psychology of why people buy into conspiracy theories; or interested in how conspiracy theories shaped and were shaped, by history, this course will provide you with all the tools you need to better understand the pervasiveness of conspiracy theories in our culture.