In order for people to be protected against conspiracy theories, it is important to understand the emergence of these theories. Because, exposure to conspiracy theories can come to anyone, do not easily believe in the conspirative rhetoric of a politician or influencer without knowing the origin of the source.
Questioning Logic
Another way to neutralize conspiracy theories is through logic-based inoculation. This involves rhetorical techniques and traits that can be found in the wrong information, so people can mark it before they have the opportunity to mislead them.
"In the Handbook of Conspiracy Theories, we document the seven characteristics of conspiracy thought. Finding this can help people identify unfounded theories," wrote Stephan Lewandowsky and John Cook.
One trait that is very prominent in conspiracy theories is reinterpreting randomness.
With this mindset, random events are reinterpreted as causally connected and woven into broader and interconnected patterns. Millennial and Gen-Z used to call it, ideology.
For example, the introduction of 5G in 2019 coincides with the origin of Covid-19 and is therefore interpreted to be causally related. Correlation is not the same as cause and effect.
The Important Role of the Social Media Platform
Social media platforms contribute to the problem of misinformation by providing a means to spread quickly and freely to the general public.
Some researchers even call the spread of conspiracy theories about Covid-19 faster than the corona virus itself.
However, social media can also be a means to report fake news including the Covid-19 conspiracy. For example, Youtube has announced it will delete any video that supports the 5G conspiracy theory.
Some local media also checks the facts to confirm false news that circulated the public.