#1223 How and why conspiracy theories infiltrate our politics

Air Date: 10/30/2018

Today we take a look at the phenomenon of conspiracy theories from several different angles including psychology, political necessity and some of the conspiracies de jour.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Stephan Lewandowsky on the mind of a conspiracy theorist - Point of Inquiry - Air Date 6-3-13

Stephan Lewandowsky talks about his recent study: NASA Faked the Moon Landings, Therefore (Climate) Science is a Hoax: An Anatomy of the Motivated Rejection of Science.

Ch. 2: Steven Novella from The Skeptics Guide to the Universe explains conspiracy theories - You are not so smart - Air Date 3-26-15

Neurologist and host of The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe Steven Novella discusses the psychology and neuroscience behind conspiracy theories and conspiracy theorists.

Ch. 3: Eric Oliver on how intuition and reason divide our politics - Inquiring Minds - Air Date 8-27-18

We talk to political scientist Eric Oliver about the surprisingly high percentage of people who believe in conspiracy theories and the reasons behind those beliefs. His forthcoming book is Enchanted America: How Intuition and Reason Divide Our Politics.

Ch. 4: THE MIDTERMS MINUTE: 4 Things You Can Do Before Election Day & Toss Up Gubernatorial Races! - Best of the Left Activism

Take action! Click the title and/or scroll down for quick links and resources from this segment.

Ch. 5: Scott Crow on understanding conspiracy narratives required for fascist thinking - Revolutionary Left Radio - Air Date 2-19-18

Scott Crow explains why the rise of progressive-left movements are always countered by a rise in right-wing conspiracy theories and why fascism downright requires conspiracies to survive.

Ch. 6: Kevin Roose on the Strange Case of QAnon - The Daily - Air Date 8-2-18

How did an outlandish conspiracy theory born on the fringes of the internet end up in the spotlight at a rally for President Trump? Guest: Kevin Roose, who writes about technology for The New York Times.

 

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 7: Sticking with the litmus test - Elizabeth from Virginia

Ch. 8: Success story for political change - Jordan from Minneapolis, MN

 

Ch. 9: Final comments on strategy and theories of change

 

THE MIDTERMS MINUTE

4 THINGS YOU CAN DO BEFORE NOV. 6TH

1. Donate

House: DCCC Red to Blue Program

Senate: DSCC.org

Toss ups/Battlegrounds: The Midterms Minute H.Q.

2. Virtual Phone Banking

Indivisible Phone Banking(Sen/House/Gov)

Swing Left Phone Banking(House)

Resources for newbies / Hosting a Phone Bank Night

3. Volunteer 

National Indivisible Chapters Events List

DNC State Parties

Candidates websites: Visit The Midterms Minute H.Q.

4. Talk to Friends & Family (and text people)

Talk, invite them to volunteer with you, etc.

Use OutVoteto text friends and encourage them to vote

TOSS UP GUBERNATORIAL RACES!

Connecticut (Open Seat (D))

Ned Lamont (D)(vs. Bob Stefanowski (R))

Georgia (Open Seat (R))

State House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams (D)(vs. GA Sec of State Brian Kemp (R))

Iowa (R Incumbent)

Fred Hubbell (D)(vs. Incumbent Gov. Kim Reynolds (R))

Maine (Open Seat (R))

State Attorney General Janet Mills (D)(vs. Shawn Moody (R))

Nevada (Open Seat (R))

Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak (D)(vs. NV Attorney General Adam Laxalt (R))

Ohio (Open Seat (R))

Former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray (D)(vs. OH Attorney General Mike DeWine (R))

Oregon (D incumbent)

Incumbent Gov. Kate Brown (D)(vs. OR Rep. Knute Buehler (R))

South Dakota (Open Seat (R))

SD Sen. Billie Sutton (D)(vs. Rep. Kristi Noem (R))

Wisconsin (R incumbent)

WI Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers (D)(vs. Incumbent Gov. Scott Walker (R))

Kansas (Open Seat (R))

KS Sen. Laura Kelly (D)(vs. KS Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R))

Written & Researched by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 

 

MUSIC:

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
• Tranceless - Caruthersville (Blue Dot Sessions)
• Vernouillet - The Sweet Hots (Blue Dot Sessions)
• Our Fingers Cold - K2 (Blue Dot Sessions)
• UpUpUp and Over - The Balloonist (Blue Dot Sessions)
• Gullwing Sailor - Migration (Blue Dot Sessions)
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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