BBC: How to talk about conspiracy theories

Tell me, Sam, do you think Neil Armstrong really landed on the Moon in 1969? I mean, that must be fake news! And who shot JFK? Surely the CIA were involved? Unless it was the giant lizards controlling the government!

Oh dear! It looks like reading online conspiracies has sent Neil down the rabbit hole- an expression used to describe a situation which seems interesting and uncomplicanted at first but ends up becoming strange, confusing and hard to escape from. Luckily in this programme we'll be hearing some advice on how to talk to people who've become convinced by online conspiracies. 

It seems that during times of crisis, as people feel uncertain and fearful, they actively look for information to feel more secure. 

Nowadayss this information is often found online, and while there are reliable facts out there, there's also a lot of misinformation. 

Somebody who's the target of many conspiracy theories is Microsoft's Bill Gates and our BBC fact checkers have been busy debunking- or exposing- some of the more bizzare accusations made against him. But what strange behaviour has Bill Gates been accused of recently? That's my quiz question for today. Is it:

a) being a member of the Chinese Communist Party

b) being an alien lizard

c) being involved in the assassination of JFK?

They all sounds pretty silly to me but I'll guess b) being an alien lizard.

OK, Sam, if you say so! We'll find out the answer later. Now, I'm not the only one who's been doing some internet research. Ever since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic there's been an avalanche of online conspiracies linking Bill Gates to the coronavirus. Here's Marianna Spring, presenter of BBC World Service programme, Trending, to tell us more;

The Microsoft founder is a rich and powerful person and he's funded research into vaccines- that's why he's become a target. Some of the claims are bonkers- that he wants to use the virus as a pretext to microchip everyone in the world. Others say a vaccine would actually kill people rather than save their lives. These ideas are without any evidence. We should treat them with the disdain they deserve. 

Some conspiracies claim that Bill Gates wants to implant microchips in people and that he's using the coronavirus as a pretext- a pretend reason for doing something that is used to hide the real reason. 

Claims like these are described as bonkers- an informal way to say silly, stupid or crazy, and should therefore be treated with disdain- disliking something because you feel it does not deserve your attention or respect. 

But while you might not believe such bonkers theories yourself, it's not hard to see how people looking for answers can get sucked down online rabbit holes. 

So how would you deal some someone spreading baseless conspiracies about Covid vaccines or Bill Gates? The BBC's Trending programme spoke to Dr. Jovan Byford, senior psychology lecturer with the Open University about it.. 

He thinks it's important to separate the conspiracy from the theorist. The former, the belief, we have to dismiss, but the latter, the person, is more complex. 

Here's BBC Trending's presneter, Marianna Spring, again to sum up Dr. Byford's advice:

How do you talk to someone who's at risk of being sucked into the rabbit hole? First, establish a basis of understanding. Approach them on their own terms and avoid sweeping dismissals or saying. " you're wrong!'. Try not to judge. And try to get to the bottom of the often legitimate concern at the heart of the conspiracy. Present them with facts and research. Try to do this neutrally. You can't force anyone to change their mind, but you can make sure they have valid information. 

While some onspiracies may be harmless, others are more dangerous. People thinking that vaccines will kill them might worsen the coronaviurs situation worldwide, so we need to get to the bottom of these claims- discover the real but sometimes hidden reason why something happens. 

A good way to engage people in discussion is to avoid sweeping claims or statements- speaking or writing about things in a way that is too general and does not carefully consider all the relevant facts.

And by doing so calmly and neutrally you might persuade them to reconsider the funny business Bill Gates is supposedly involved with. 

Ah yes, you mean our quiz question. I asked you what Bill Gates has recently been accused of by conspiracy theorists. 

And I said b) being an alien lizard. But thinking about it now, that seems pretty unlikely!

In fact, the answr was a) being a member of the Chinese Communist Party.

bonkers; silly, stupid and crazy

pretext; a pretend reason used to hide someone's true motivation

down the rabbit hole; intrigued by a situation which seems interesting but ends up confusing and hard to escape from. 

intrigue; to interest someone a lot, especially by being strange, unsual.

avalanche; 눈사태, situation