Conspirasphere Rising w/Derek Arnold (BR 9)

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!

Like what we do? Then buy us a beer or three via our page on Buy Me a Coffee. #ConspiracyClearinghouse #sharingiscaring #donations #support #buymeacoffee

You can also SUBSCRIBE to this podcast.

Review us here or on IMDb!

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

Follow us on social:

• Facebook
• Twitter

Other Podcasts by Derek DeWitt

• DIGITAL SIGNAGE DONE RIGHT - Winner of a 2022 Gold Quill Award, 2022 Gold MarCom Award, 2021 AVA Digital Award Gold, 2021 Silver Davey Award, 2020 Communicator Award of Excellence, and on numerous top 10 podcast lists. 
• PRAGUE TIMES - A city is more than just a location - it’s a kaleidoscope of history, places, people and trends. This podcast looks at Prague, in the center of Europe, from a number of perspectives, including what it is now, what is has been and where it’s going. It’s Prague THEN, Prague NOW, Prague LATER