January 2024, Dayenu. All rights reserved.

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The plot thickens. Conspiracy theories — an explainer

<aside> <img src="/icons/forward_gray.svg" alt="/icons/forward_gray.svg" width="40px" /> In a world where people rely on social media to get their news, and there is hardly any way of controlling what narratives are created, conspiracy theories thrive. Powered by hatred and the desire to find scapegoats, they are dangerous and powerful. We have prepared an explainer about conspiracy theories, especially antisemitic and anti-Israel ones.

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What exactly is a conspiracy theory?

A conspiracy theory is a set of beliefs that explain important events as secret plots by powerful and malevolent groups. According to the European Commission, conspiracy theories tend to have six things in common:

  1. They claim a secret plot exists.
  2. They believe a group of conspirators is behind the plot.
  3. They offer “evidence” that seems to support the conspiracy theory.
  4. They falsely suggest that nothing happens by accident and that there are no coincidences; nothing is as it appears and everything is connected.
  5. They divide the world into the good and the bad.
  6. They turn people and groups into scapegoats.

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Misinformation is not the same as a conspiracy theory.

Misinformation is misleading, inaccurate, or outright false information that is spread without the express intent to deceive or to cause harm. Those who spread misinformation believe that it is true, and that they are helping society by sharing it.

“Fake news” are often intentionally not checked for accuracy, because they fit the narrative that the sender believes, and wants others to believe. That said, “fake news” can, and often do, cause harm to individuals or society.

Disinformation is also not quite a conspiracy theory.

Unlike misinformation, disinformation is circulated deliberately, in order to deceive or influence people. Identifying disinformation is not always easy: sometimes the facts are made up completely, sometimes they are deliberately taken out of context, exaggerated or essential information is left out. In recent years, it has become easier to manipulate images and videos, but stories and numbers still remain the easiest methods of conveying disinformation.

Notably, at war, disinformation is often weaponized and used by both sides for strategic, as well as political purposes.

What is the connection between conspiracy theories, misinformation, and disinformation?