Parallel realities and conspiracy theories
What you should know:
Parallel realities and conspiracy theories
- You should know and be able to explain the classification of the terms conspiracy myth, conspiracy narrative and conspiracy ideology.
- They should be able to describe to the participants why conspiracy narratives are so successful.
- They should be able to answer and elaborate on the following questions:
- How can I protect myself and others from conspiracy narratives?
- How can I help a concerned friend or family member?
| Definition | Example | |
|---|---|---|
| Conspiracy myth | Superordinate myth, abstract narrative | Jewish World Conspiracy |
| Conspiracy narrative | Concrete narrative or assumption that often feeds on the more abstract conspiracy myth. | Conspiracy narratives about Illuminati, Bilderbergers or George Soros |
| Conspiracy ideology / mentality | Generalised prejudice structure towards persons and groups perceived as powerful. | "They do what they want up there". |
Source: Lamberty, P. (2020): Verschwörungserzählungen, Infoaktuell - Federal Agency for Civic Education.
Information on this:
- Chapter 3.2 Parallel realities and conspiracy theories in the module Information search & opinion formation.
Further sources of information can be:
- Chapter 1.3 Verification of information from the internet in the module Information Search & Opinion Formation.
- Chapter 2.2.6 Social Credit Systems in the module Security, Privacy and Data Protection
- Chapter 2.2.9 Example "Cambridge Analytica": Creation of personality images in the module Security, Privacy and Data Protection
- Chapter 3.5 Algorithms in the module Technology
Read the relevant chapters in the module and, if necessary, work on the exercises mentioned yourself or prepare them for your lessons.