This is slightly OT as I'm not referring to the specific conspiracy theory mentioned in the linked article.  But I think it's relevant and worth discussing.

I've been stunned by the people I know (colleagues, relatives, friends) who have fallen for odd conspiracy theories lately.  I'm talking about intelligent people, who have fallen hook line and sinker for bizarre conspiracy theories. People with a range of political viewpoints, life circumstances, occupations and worldviews.

Perhaps we should be teaching critical thinking in schools.  I certainly wasn't taught critical thinking at school.  Comprehension in English was the closest it got (easy 25% in School Cert).  University was better - especially 3rd year and postgrad.  But most people don't attend uni.

People aren't aware of the Carl Sagan Baloney Detection Kit.

freitasm:

 

People aren't aware of the Carl Sagan Baloney Detection Kit.

 

Yep, that's the sort of thinking most people should be able to apply.

In the 1800s it was potions that cured everything sold in parks and squares. In 1900s it was is miracle cleaners sold door to door and insurance to keep little Johnny safe. In the 2000s its conspiracy theories peddled over YouTube and Facebook. Smart people start them and bank the proceeds and the stupid, the gullible the desperate and the stressed buy into it and perpetuate it. The smart ones need to be dealt with but the others I don't mock. For many pushing conspiracy theories it is a mental illness and an illness of our times.