Difference between revisions of "File:Cass sunstein conspiracies.pdf"

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==University of Chicago Law School==
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{{Document
===Public Law & Legal Theory Research Paper Series Paper No. 199===
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|publication_date=2008/01/15
15 January 2008
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|type=paper
 
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|title=Conspiracy Theories
Cass R Sunstein and Arian Vermeule
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|description=A classic ''Official Narrative''-type exposition of ''Conspiracy theory'' and ''Conspiracy Theorists'' with recommendations on how governments should deal with them. It is the principal source of the now widely-used expression ''"Cognitive Infiltration"''
 
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|collection=No
==Conspiracy Theories==
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|draft=No
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|leaked=No
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|declassified=No
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|constitutes=official narrative
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|comment=This a highly recommended for an in-depth understanding of how {{TE}} views and attempts to counter information that runs counter to {{ON}}s.
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|subjects=Conspiracy theory
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|authors=Cass Sunstein, Adrian Vermeule
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|source_name=University of Chicago Law School
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|source_details=Public Law & Legal Theory Research Paper Series Paper No. 199
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|original_language=English
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}}
 
===Abstract===
 
===Abstract===
 
Many millions of people hold conspiracy theories; they believe that powerful people have worked together in order to withhold the truth about some important practice or some terrible event. A recent example is the belief, widespread in some parts of the world, that the attacks of 9/11 were carried out not by Al Qaeda, but by Israel or the United States. Those who subscribe to conspiracy theories may create serious risks, including risks of violence, and the existence of such theories raises significant challenges for policy and law. The first challenge is to understand the mechanisms by which conspiracy theories prosper; the second challenge is to understand how such theories might be undermined. Such theories typically spread as a result of identifiable cognitive blunders, operating in conjunction with informational and reputational influences. A distinctive feature of conspiracy theories is their self-sealing quality. Conspiracy theorists are not likely to be persuaded by an attempt to dispel their theories; they may even characterize that very attempt as further proof of the conspiracy. Because those who hold conspiracy theories typically suffer from a “crippled epistemology,” in accordance with which it is rational to hold such theories, the best response consists in cognitive infiltration of extremist groups. Various policy dilemmas, such as the question whether it is better for government to rebut conspiracy theories or to ignore them, are explored in this light.
 
Many millions of people hold conspiracy theories; they believe that powerful people have worked together in order to withhold the truth about some important practice or some terrible event. A recent example is the belief, widespread in some parts of the world, that the attacks of 9/11 were carried out not by Al Qaeda, but by Israel or the United States. Those who subscribe to conspiracy theories may create serious risks, including risks of violence, and the existence of such theories raises significant challenges for policy and law. The first challenge is to understand the mechanisms by which conspiracy theories prosper; the second challenge is to understand how such theories might be undermined. Such theories typically spread as a result of identifiable cognitive blunders, operating in conjunction with informational and reputational influences. A distinctive feature of conspiracy theories is their self-sealing quality. Conspiracy theorists are not likely to be persuaded by an attempt to dispel their theories; they may even characterize that very attempt as further proof of the conspiracy. Because those who hold conspiracy theories typically suffer from a “crippled epistemology,” in accordance with which it is rational to hold such theories, the best response consists in cognitive infiltration of extremist groups. Various policy dilemmas, such as the question whether it is better for government to rebut conspiracy theories or to ignore them, are explored in this light.
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==See Also==
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*[[Document:Cognitive Infiltration]]
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*[[The Power of Unreason]]
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*[[File:Demos-Conspiracy theories.pdf]]
  
  
[[Category:Doc
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[[Category:Doc]]
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[[Category:Disinformation]]
 
[[Category:Propaganda]]
 
[[Category:Propaganda]]
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[[Category:Cognitive Infiltration]]

Latest revision as of 04:05, 11 September 2016

A classic Official Narrative-type exposition of Conspiracy theory and Conspiracy Theorists with recommendations on how governments should deal with them. It is the principal source of the now widely-used expression "Cognitive Infiltration"

Disclaimer (#3)Document.png paper  by Cass Sunstein, Adrian Vermeule dated 2008/01/15
Subjects: Conspiracy theory
Example of: official narrative
Source: University of Chicago Law School


Wikispooks Comment
This a highly recommended for an in-depth understanding of how The establishment views and attempts to counter information that runs counter to Official Narratives.

★ Start a Discussion about this document
Conspiracy Theories



Abstract

Many millions of people hold conspiracy theories; they believe that powerful people have worked together in order to withhold the truth about some important practice or some terrible event. A recent example is the belief, widespread in some parts of the world, that the attacks of 9/11 were carried out not by Al Qaeda, but by Israel or the United States. Those who subscribe to conspiracy theories may create serious risks, including risks of violence, and the existence of such theories raises significant challenges for policy and law. The first challenge is to understand the mechanisms by which conspiracy theories prosper; the second challenge is to understand how such theories might be undermined. Such theories typically spread as a result of identifiable cognitive blunders, operating in conjunction with informational and reputational influences. A distinctive feature of conspiracy theories is their self-sealing quality. Conspiracy theorists are not likely to be persuaded by an attempt to dispel their theories; they may even characterize that very attempt as further proof of the conspiracy. Because those who hold conspiracy theories typically suffer from a “crippled epistemology,” in accordance with which it is rational to hold such theories, the best response consists in cognitive infiltration of extremist groups. Various policy dilemmas, such as the question whether it is better for government to rebut conspiracy theories or to ignore them, are explored in this light.

See Also

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