[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.25,0:00:01.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes. We are on the bed.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.83,0:00:04.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You could call it an homage\Nto old YouTube.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:04.38,0:00:05.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I call it...
Dialogue: 0,0:00:05.23,0:00:06.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,comfortable for my butt.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:06.100,0:00:08.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Conspiracy theories.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:08.26,0:00:10.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So as somebody who's lost, like, \Nmany a night
Dialogue: 0,0:00:10.69,0:00:12.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,tumbling down Wikipedia\Nrabbit holes,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.73,0:00:14.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I- I love a good conspiracy theory.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:14.96,0:00:16.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's like, "Ooh, aliens!"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.81,0:00:19.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Ooh, how do people make\Nsuch big triangles?"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.65,0:00:21.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think that that it's just fun
Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.18,0:00:23.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,imagining the world\Nto be more interesting
Dialogue: 0,0:00:23.35,0:00:24.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than what I was taught.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.47,0:00:26.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then something weird happened?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.28,0:00:28.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A couple weeks ago,\NI found myself
Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.47,0:00:30.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the middle of\Na conspiracy theory.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:30.79,0:00:34.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then, all of the fun\Nwas replaced with just...
Dialogue: 0,0:00:34.36,0:00:35.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,pure confusion.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.50,0:00:38.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The conspiracy itself is, like,\Nweird and fun and innocuous.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.55,0:00:41.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, what I really\Ncared about is, like,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.41,0:00:42.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how do you get to that point?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.56,0:00:46.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How do you start seeing signs\Nthat were never there to begin with.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:46.13,0:00:47.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's what I want to know.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:47.44,0:00:50.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I also want to, like, disprove\Nthis whole conspiracy theory
Dialogue: 0,0:00:50.60,0:00:51.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,'cause it's whack.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.59,0:00:53.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, as the person\Nin, in the middle of all of this,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:53.64,0:00:56.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can imagine why I'd be\Nseen as unreliable.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.64,0:00:57.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So...
Dialogue: 0,0:00:57.75,0:00:59.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,...I'm calling on a friend!
Dialogue: 0,0:00:59.49,0:01:02.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Uhh, I don't know how to put this.\NHow do you put this?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.37,0:01:06.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,People think that I am\Npart of the Illuminati.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:06.28,0:01:07.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Uh-
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.86,0:01:09.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, are you?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:09.38,0:01:10.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[laughs]
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.54,0:01:12.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is just one of the comments,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.19,0:01:14.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I think it really\Nsummarizes the issue.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.36,0:01:16.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"I find this channel to\Nbe highly disingenuous-"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:16.42,0:01:18.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"-Corporate product masked\Nto have the appearance of
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.60,0:01:21.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,an independently run YouTube channel."\N"There's no way a single person is that skilled
Dialogue: 0,0:01:21.22,0:01:25.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at animation, editing, presenting, research-"\N"Everything is too professional for that-"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:25.67,0:01:27.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"There's no way this girl\Nis the one who did this"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.97,0:01:32.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"A production company put this video\Ntogether with you just as a host."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.12,0:01:35.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So now- Now...\NNow what?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.28,0:01:37.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why am I calling you? Right?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.14,0:01:39.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yeah. I'm, like, "How do you\Nwant me to prove this?"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.89,0:01:46.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I am wondering if you could explain\Nto me and the viewers of this video,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.80,0:01:49.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how could somebody see\Nsomething so mundane
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.85,0:01:52.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's just, like, a part\Nof my life, I guess.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.82,0:01:56.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How could someone see that\Nand think, like, "There must be more."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:56.24,0:01:58.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm interested. I'm fascinated.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.41,0:01:59.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,'Cause I'm, like...
Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.53,0:02:02.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm not only interested in your\Nconspiracy, as interesting as it is.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.74,0:02:05.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think conspiracies have a, have a\Nknack for, especially nowadays,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.90,0:02:07.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to just....
Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.16,0:02:09.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just ruin people's lives,\Nyou know?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.76,0:02:12.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm gonna solve this mystery.\N♪ Scooby-dooby-doo ♪
Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.86,0:02:14.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We don't have the copyright on that.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.80,0:02:17.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We're going to investigate\Nthis conundrum. I'm-I'm-
Dialogue: 0,0:02:17.87,0:02:19.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You're doubling down on it, I see.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.04,0:02:22.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hello, I'm Taha.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.01,0:02:24.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm apparently Sabrina's\Nonly British friend.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.44,0:02:26.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've been given free reign\Nover this part of the video,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.91,0:02:28.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so, welcome to my chaos.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.87,0:02:31.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sabrina's asked me to get into\Nthe mind of a Sabrina Cruz truther
Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.97,0:02:34.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and figure out what's going on.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.23,0:02:35.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Okay, hold on.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.51,0:02:37.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It needs pictures.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:37.66,0:02:39.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's read some conspiracy theories.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.30,0:02:40.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"This is a fake channel
Dialogue: 0,0:02:40.44,0:02:42.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A propaganda channel paid by others.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:42.42,0:02:44.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why the spotty uploads?"
Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.11,0:02:46.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Maybe because it's-\Nit's just one person?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.84,0:02:47.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I love this one.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:47.66,0:02:49.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Who do you work for?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.40,0:02:52.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We all know this isn't your channel.\NWhose script are you reading?"
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.36,0:02:53.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"I think she works for the government."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.57,0:02:56.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oh. This is the best one.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.14,0:03:00.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Her main channel is crash course\Nwith 10 million subs."
Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.07,0:03:02.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,John and Hank Green,\Neat your heart out.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.24,0:03:03.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Okay, so basically,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.35,0:03:06.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,people think that Sabrina\Ndoesn't make her own videos,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.47,0:03:09.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that she's a presenter,\Nthat maybe she works for the government.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.08,0:03:10.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How did people get here?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.51,0:03:11.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's figure it out.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.57,0:03:28.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Okay. So, here's what I found out.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:28.72,0:03:31.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are loads of ways to define\Nconspiracy theories,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:31.38,0:03:33.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they all kind of boil down\Nto the same thing.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.59,0:03:36.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's basically the belief that\Na group of people
Dialogue: 0,0:03:36.05,0:03:39.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are secretly working together\Nto do something bad.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.02,0:03:40.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But here's the thing:
Dialogue: 0,0:03:40.21,0:03:41.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When we talk about conspiracy theories,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.80,0:03:45.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we aren't talking about every time\Nanyone has ever got together
Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.29,0:03:46.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to secretly do bad things.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.94,0:03:50.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what are people talking about\Nwhen they say "conspiracy theory"?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.19,0:03:52.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or when they talk about conspiracy\Ntheories on the internet?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.71,0:03:55.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They talk about a specific type\Nof conspiracy theory.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.25,0:03:58.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's the type of conspiracy theory that\NSabrina is in the middle of right now.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.29,0:04:01.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These conspiracy theories\Nseem to be unlikely by design.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.54,0:04:03.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here's the really interesting thing that I found.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.67,0:04:06.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These theories have pretty distinctive\Nfeatures that you can spot
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.79,0:04:09.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and these features make them\Nnot only unlikely to be true
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.97,0:04:12.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but also difficult to argue against.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:12.20,0:04:14.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These features are that\Nthey are speculative,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.65,0:04:17.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,based on educated, or,\Nnot-so-educated guesswork
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.92,0:04:19.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,rather than solid evidence.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:19.78,0:04:22.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The rationale being that\Nif a conspiracy was successful
Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.46,0:04:24.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then it wouldn't have left a trace.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:24.17,0:04:25.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They can become contrarian.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.50,0:04:29.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They form in opposition to the\Nobvious or official explanation.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:29.09,0:04:32.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Conspiracy theories will dismiss\Nthis explanation, citing
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.10,0:04:33.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"That's what they want you to think."
Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.85,0:04:36.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because of this, theories\Ncan become esoteric.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:36.08,0:04:40.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If the obvious explanation isn't true,\Nthen the theory is based on speculation.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.27,0:04:42.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The conspiracy theory can run wild.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.38,0:04:45.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Explanations can become increasingly\Ndetached from reality.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:45.52,0:04:47.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Theories are also amateurish.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.30,0:04:50.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, that isn't a comment on\Na theorist's intelligence.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.74,0:04:54.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's a comment on how qualified\Nthese theorists are.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.22,0:04:56.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In most cases, they don't have\Nthe relevant expertise
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.76,0:04:59.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to be conclusively analyzing evidence.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.18,0:05:01.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even when they do,\Nthey're in the small minority
Dialogue: 0,0:05:01.42,0:05:04.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the professional consensus\Ndoesn't agree with them.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:04.07,0:05:06.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And is it more likely that\Nall experts are lying
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.87,0:05:11.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or that most informed and qualified people\Nare coming to the same conclusion.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.35,0:05:13.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Conspiracies can also become premodern.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:13.81,0:05:17.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These conspiracies believe that\Nincredibly complex events
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.05,0:05:20.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can be controlled by a small number\Nof people acting in secret.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:20.69,0:05:23.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Nothing is a coincidence\Nor a series of uncorrelated events,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.99,0:05:26.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but a coordinated conspiracy.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:26.13,0:05:29.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And lastly, these conspiracies\Nare self-sealing.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.33,0:05:30.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What this means is that
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.59,0:05:32.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the conspiracy is difficult\Nto argue against.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.75,0:05:35.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If a conspiracy is based on speculation,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.24,0:05:38.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it dismisses the obvious explanation\Nin favor of a more obscure one.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:38.90,0:05:40.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if it ignores expert consensus
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.66,0:05:44.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and believes that a small group of people\Ncan control complex events,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:44.68,0:05:48.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,any explanation against the conspiracy\Nis just "what they want you to think."
Dialogue: 0,0:05:48.66,0:05:51.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, that doesn't mean that every time\Nyou hear the words "conspiracy theory"
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.40,0:05:52.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you should just dismiss it.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:52.52,0:05:55.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because we know that throughout history,\Nthere are well-documented conspiracies.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:55.99,0:05:57.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I find this really interesting concept
Dialogue: 0,0:05:57.44,0:06:00.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that distinguish between\Nconspiracy theory and conspiracy fact.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.37,0:06:02.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Essentially, when you have\Na bunch of solid evidence
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.32,0:06:04.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that supports the fact\Nthat a conspiracy occurred,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.53,0:06:06.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can consider it fact.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:06.01,0:06:08.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it isn't sensible to believe\Nconspiracy theories,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.24,0:06:11.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the ones that tick all of the boxes\Nthat make them unbelievable.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:11.61,0:06:14.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And not unbelievable in a way like,\N"Oh, that's unbelievable!"
Dialogue: 0,0:06:14.26,0:06:16.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In a way that's like,\N"I don't believe you."
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.72,0:06:19.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And even if conspiracy theories\Naren't true,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:19.30,0:06:20.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they still have a function.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.79,0:06:23.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not a good function,\Nbut still a function.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.49,0:06:25.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, what is it?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:25.40,0:06:26.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,People believe conspiracies
Dialogue: 0,0:06:26.90,0:06:30.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that reinforce their\Npolitical or ideological bias.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.13,0:06:32.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Nobody's believing a conspiracy theory
Dialogue: 0,0:06:32.11,0:06:34.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that goes against what they think\Nthe world is like.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:34.41,0:06:37.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We see patterns and theories that\Nreinforce our ideology
Dialogue: 0,0:06:37.52,0:06:39.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we're happy to get onboard.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:39.15,0:06:43.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In this way, conspiracy theories\Nare a type of ideological propaganda.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:43.15,0:06:47.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,By spreading the theory, you also end up\Nspreading your own world view.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.15,0:06:48.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In order to believe a theory,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.58,0:06:50.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you have to believe that\Nthe world is a certain way.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:50.99,0:06:53.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, by convincing people\Nof your conspiracy theory,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.76,0:06:57.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you are also implicitly convincing them\Nthat the world is the way
Dialogue: 0,0:06:57.03,0:06:58.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that you believe it to be.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.30,0:07:01.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Okay. So, in the process of\Nresearching this video,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.09,0:07:04.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I ended up going down a lot\Nof conspiracy theory rabbit holes.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.64,0:07:08.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some of them I obviously know were untrue,\Nbut others I thought,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:08.18,0:07:09.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Maybe they could be true?"
Dialogue: 0,0:07:09.90,0:07:11.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That was kind of scary to me.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.28,0:07:13.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I wanted to find out what it was\Nabout conspiracy theories
Dialogue: 0,0:07:13.98,0:07:16.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that made them so... attractive.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:16.73,0:07:19.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that's when I got into the\Npsychology of conspiracy theories.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:19.81,0:07:24.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are 2 key psychological phenomenon\Nthat drive a natural inclination
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.10,0:07:25.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,towards conspiracy theories.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:25.89,0:07:27.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,First is "pattern perception".
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.41,0:07:29.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We're bad at recognizing randomness.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.22,0:07:32.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Instead, we are more likely to see\Na pattern when there is none.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.75,0:07:35.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And, secondly, is "agency detection".
Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.01,0:07:39.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We tend to think that events occur\Ndue to agents acting intentionally,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:39.25,0:07:43.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,rather than recognizing neutral\Nor coincidental occurrences.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.25,0:07:46.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These 2 phenomena are compounded\Nby cognitive biases
Dialogue: 0,0:07:46.48,0:07:48.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that make conspiracy theories believable.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:48.66,0:07:51.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These include "proportionality bias,"
Dialogue: 0,0:07:51.07,0:07:53.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which leads to thinking that\Nthe cause of an event
Dialogue: 0,0:07:53.42,0:07:55.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has to be as big as its consequences.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:55.53,0:07:58.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When the explanation is not as grand\Nas the event itself,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:58.50,0:08:00.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,people can find it difficult to believe.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:00.42,0:08:04.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This means we assume things happen\Non purpose rather than by accident.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.48,0:08:07.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When the conspiracy explains\Nhow something was intentional,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.94,0:08:10.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,believing that it was an accident\Nbecomes difficult.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.38,0:08:13.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Confirmation bias" means that\Nonce we believe a conspiracy,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:13.27,0:08:16.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we tend to only pay attention to\Nevidence that supports our conclusion.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.93,0:08:19.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, now I know why my brain\Nthinks the way it does.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:19.49,0:08:21.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But doesn't necessarily change the fact
Dialogue: 0,0:08:21.48,0:08:24.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I still felt like those\Nconspiracy theories were true.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.47,0:08:25.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, now what?
Dialogue: 0,0:08:25.57,0:08:26.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here is where it gets interesting.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:27.16,0:08:29.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One of the books I ended up\Nreading for this video...
Dialogue: 0,0:08:30.02,0:08:31.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was written by a professor
Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.55,0:08:33.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I had last year at university.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:33.29,0:08:35.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I just asked him.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.24,0:08:37.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is Quassim Cassam,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:37.40,0:08:40.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a professor of Philosophy\Nat the Universtiy of Warwick.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:40.43,0:08:42.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,His main research interests are knowledge,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:42.98,0:08:43.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,perception,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.76,0:08:45.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,intellectual vices, and
Dialogue: 0,0:08:45.50,0:08:47.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,conspiracy theories.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:47.02,0:08:48.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I also owe him an essay.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:48.50,0:08:50.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, yeah, my sort of, like,\Ninitial question
Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.85,0:08:53.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I didn't know how to\Ntackle myself was just...
Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.83,0:08:57.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how do you think about\Nbeing healthily skeptical
Dialogue: 0,0:08:57.36,0:08:59.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,versus, sort of, \Nunnecessarily conspiratorial?
Dialogue: 0,0:08:59.54,0:09:00.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Quassim:] Right
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.24,0:09:01.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think that lots of people
Dialogue: 0,0:09:01.76,0:09:03.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that believe conspiracy theories,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.06,0:09:05.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,think that it's a good way to \Nexpress their skepticism
Dialogue: 0,0:09:05.86,0:09:08.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and lack of trust in government \Nand authority.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:08.66,0:09:10.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My own view is that, is that, well,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.82,0:09:12.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of course it's a very good thing
Dialogue: 0,0:09:12.02,0:09:13.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to hold an establishment to account.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:13.49,0:09:14.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's very helpful
Dialogue: 0,0:09:14.56,0:09:17.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when journalists and whistle-blowers\Ncome up with evidence.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:17.60,0:09:18.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, I have to concede
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.85,0:09:21.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that- that- that the sources that \NI regard as trustworthy
Dialogue: 0,0:09:21.90,0:09:24.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are of course sources that, \Nto some extent,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:24.48,0:09:26.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,tell me the things I want to hear.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:26.33,0:09:28.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's very easy to get\Nsucked into the vortex,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:28.79,0:09:30.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you know, so questions\Nyou ask yourself,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:30.96,0:09:34.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you know, with respect to your\Nown favorite conspiracy theory,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:34.52,0:09:36.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that, well, what would\Nconvince you that your theory
Dialogue: 0,0:09:36.54,0:09:37.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is false?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:37.42,0:09:39.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It- would anything convince you?\NThat your theory is false?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.90,0:09:43.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If the answer is that, well, actually,\Nwhat anybody else comes up with,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.22,0:09:45.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you're going to state your guards, \Nyou're going to continue to say
Dialogue: 0,0:09:45.83,0:09:49.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there was a conspiracy,\Nwell then, then that's the point
Dialogue: 0,0:09:49.27,0:09:51.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at which you really need to kind of,\Nyou know, pull yourself out, you know.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:51.81,0:09:54.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But human beings are fallable, right.\NWe all make mistakes, you know,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:54.26,0:09:58.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We're all subject to biases\Nof all various kinds and wishful thinking.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.75,0:10:01.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The recommendation that I would make is:\Njust be aware of that.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:01.30,0:10:05.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Be aware of these failings of people,\Nof human beings in general,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:05.18,0:10:06.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,including ourselves.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.89,0:10:08.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hello! Different angle.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.77,0:10:13.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yeah, basically, I was so stressed trying\Nto interview my professor
Dialogue: 0,0:10:13.55,0:10:17.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and sound intellectual that I completely\Nforgot to record my thoughts,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:17.91,0:10:19.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,straight after my interview.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:19.96,0:10:22.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I, I just lay down and took a nap.\NSo, yeah.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:22.78,0:10:26.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I, I feel like I, I have a pretty\Ngood idea of how conspiracy theories
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.52,0:10:29.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are formed, how conspiracy theorists think\Nabout them, and,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:29.68,0:10:31.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and why we think about them
Dialogue: 0,0:10:31.99,0:10:34.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I feel like I understand\Nwhat's going on in Sabrina's
Dialogue: 0,0:10:34.95,0:10:36.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,comment section.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:36.10,0:10:40.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I guess the final thing to do\Nis to call Sabrina back and, and
Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.31,0:10:42.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,tell her everything we found out.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:42.21,0:10:43.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[phone line ringing]
Dialogue: 0,0:10:43.50,0:10:44.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hello! How's it going?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:44.97,0:10:46.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Sabrina] Hello! I-
Dialogue: 0,0:10:46.06,0:10:47.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Taha] What's it like being\Npart of the government?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:47.83,0:10:51.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Sabrina] oh, are we doubling down on that?\NIs that what ended up happening?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:51.41,0:10:53.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You're just now a conspiracy theorist?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:53.62,0:10:57.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Taha] The, the fact is, that, like,\Npeople do, throughout history,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:58.19,0:11:01.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,conspire to do bad things.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:01.46,0:11:03.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not like that's unheard of.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:03.64,0:11:06.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But some of those things are like,\Nverifiably true.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:06.76,0:11:10.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like they're-there's documented evidence,\Nthere's whistle-blowers,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:10.02,0:11:13.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Those can't be, like, put in the same\Nbucket as a conspiracy theory
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.86,0:11:15.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the traditional sense.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:15.38,0:11:17.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know, it's important to\Nmake that distinction.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:17.04,0:11:19.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then once you get into sort of \Nthe world of conspiracy theories,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:19.74,0:11:22.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's just a never-ending bucket of chaos.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.45,0:11:26.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The thing that I discovered, which,\Nyou're going to find very comforting,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:26.20,0:11:29.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so, if you're a hardcore\Nconspiracy theorist,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:29.06,0:11:32.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there's basically nothing you can\Nsay to them that they will, will take
Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.98,0:11:36.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on board because if you say anything\Nagainst any of the conspiracies
Dialogue: 0,0:11:36.29,0:11:38.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they believe, they'll just say\N"that's what they want you to think."
Dialogue: 0,0:11:38.99,0:11:39.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Sabrina] that's great. [laughs]
Dialogue: 0,0:11:39.63,0:11:44.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Taha:] essentially, for whatever reason,\Nit's more comfortable for them
Dialogue: 0,0:11:44.02,0:11:46.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and their- the way they think\Nabout the world
Dialogue: 0,0:11:46.74,0:11:50.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to believe that you are, sort of,\Nlike, part of the Illuminati.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:50.78,0:11:53.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know, a government mole,\Nthan it is to just believe
Dialogue: 0,0:11:53.38,0:11:55.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that you are a talented person.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:55.85,0:11:57.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And, like, what are you\Nsupposed to do with that?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:57.57,0:12:01.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My, my lecturer, he did talk about\Nsort of, like, being conspiracy curious.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:01.67,0:12:06.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He really emphasized the idea that,\Num, a wise man porportions his
Dialogue: 0,0:12:07.51,0:12:09.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,beliefs to the evidence.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:09.52,0:12:13.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And, what he meant by that was \Nessentially, you know, is there evidence
Dialogue: 0,0:12:13.06,0:12:16.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I can, you know, rely on,\Nto
Dialogue: 0,0:12:16.08,0:12:18.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,conclude the things that I wanna conclude?
Dialogue: 0,0:12:18.85,0:12:21.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Most people, like myself, are just\Nconspiracy curious.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:21.50,0:12:26.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And now that I understand how conspiracies\Ncome about, I can really quickly spot
Dialogue: 0,0:12:26.33,0:12:28.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when I'm falling into these biases.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.16,0:12:33.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, just by learning about them, \Nit's, like, really opened my eye into all
Dialogue: 0,0:12:33.80,0:12:37.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of these ways that I can be biased,\Nand all of these ways that I am vulnerable
Dialogue: 0,0:12:37.18,0:12:38.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the conspiracy thinking.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:38.74,0:12:40.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Sabrina:] Well that's a good lesson.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:40.33,0:12:41.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Taha:] Thumbs up!
Dialogue: 0,0:12:41.53,0:12:43.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[Sabrina:] Thanks, friend.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:43.28,0:12:46.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oh, my phone landed on my ankle\Nand it hurts so bad.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:46.14,0:12:49.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That call was exactly what I expected,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:49.15,0:12:51.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and exactly what I didn't wanna hear.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:51.28,0:12:56.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think what freaked me out the most is\Njust, like, how easy it seems to be to
Dialogue: 0,0:12:56.04,0:12:58.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,fall for conspiracy theories.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:58.01,0:13:00.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And to think that our brain, like,\Ndevelops these tricks,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:00.76,0:13:03.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,presumably to help us survive, is now
Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.34,0:13:05.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,something we need to \Nactively fight against.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:05.87,0:13:09.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But you can't fight against it too hard,\Nor else you might become extremely skeptical.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:09.56,0:13:11.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And believe in nothing.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:11.74,0:13:13.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's just so hard.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:13.10,0:13:15.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And maybe the easiest thing to do,\Nat least in my case,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:16.18,0:13:19.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in my very innocuous little\Nconspiracy theory case,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:20.60,0:13:21.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is...
Dialogue: 0,0:13:21.30,0:13:23.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to make them...
Dialogue: 0,0:13:23.53,0:13:24.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,true!
Dialogue: 0,0:13:24.77,0:13:26.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Duh duh duh!\NWhat could she possibly mean?
Dialogue: 0,0:13:26.100,0:13:28.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'll explain next week.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:28.27,0:13:30.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But either way, have a lovely day!
Dialogue: 0,0:13:30.73,0:13:34.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Please don't become a conspiracy theorist.\NTake care of yourself
Dialogue: 0,0:13:34.35,0:13:35.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and your little brain.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:35.50,0:13:39.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Bye!