Especially for religious identity and other identity politics.
The way to flip such positions is to provide role models, people who are still clearly identified in the group, but who embrace – to the degree possible – tolerant liberal democratic evidence-based social structures.
Those are unreachable regardless. Making it socially unacceptable will keep many from falling into the trap at least. They should of course always be given a chance to change their minds and grow. But they have to have a reason to want to change. Which is why ridicule and social stigma are an important aspect.
What about all the people who know others wont be receptive to their newly found beliefs and quietly fall into the trap? The reason why this shit is spreading is because any idiot with an internet connection can find this stuff out there. Prior to the internet you either never came across it or it took some work to seek out.
Education can be helpful but you need people willing to volunteer for “re-education” and there a fat chance in hell some conspiracy theorists are going to volunteer for that. This leaves you with forcing them into it which doesn’t sound any better than shutting down the trash sites they use to spread this disease.
… only entrenches people in their positions
Especially for religious identity and other identity politics.
The way to flip such positions is to provide role models, people who are still clearly identified in the group, but who embrace – to the degree possible – tolerant liberal democratic evidence-based social structures.
Those are unreachable regardless. Making it socially unacceptable will keep many from falling into the trap at least. They should of course always be given a chance to change their minds and grow. But they have to have a reason to want to change. Which is why ridicule and social stigma are an important aspect.
What about all the people who know others wont be receptive to their newly found beliefs and quietly fall into the trap? The reason why this shit is spreading is because any idiot with an internet connection can find this stuff out there. Prior to the internet you either never came across it or it took some work to seek out.
Education can be helpful but you need people willing to volunteer for “re-education” and there a fat chance in hell some conspiracy theorists are going to volunteer for that. This leaves you with forcing them into it which doesn’t sound any better than shutting down the trash sites they use to spread this disease.