Publish at March 19 2017 Updated February 01 2023
Don't panic good people, but it must be said : the world you think you know is not what it is. At least, that's what many individuals say for whom they believe we are being manipulated by forces above us. However, there is no consensus on what these forces are.
.Some speak of reptilian creatures, Atlanteans, the CIA, a secret world government, financial elites, religious groups, etc. However, we did not need to inform you of this. Anyone who has spent any time on the Internet has come across at least one such story, an image shared on social networks, or a supposedly " documentary " video on a subject of this kind.
In fact, in the past year, we've seen conspiracy overtake information. Particularly in the United States, where conspiracy theories galvanized a swath of Donald Trump's electorate that preferred to believe these misconceptions over journalists. Many even wore shirts inviting, without embarrassment, to lynch the information workers, the "real liars" according to them. A movement that has prompted many media articles about this rise in gullibility, including on our site.
Yet, the history of conspiracy theorizing is not new. As this article from Sciences Humaines reminds us, during the time of the Black Death during the Middle Ages, people were already accusing lepers and Jews of poisoning the water in order to kill Christians. Since then, this kind of story has been perpetuated in the following centuries until today. It must be said that there have been real machinations in the past like the Rainbow Warrior.
Or, conspiracists only see the world from the perspective of the conspiracy, without attempting to appeal to coincidences, errors or even misperception. For example, images were circulated in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attack claiming that the whole thing was organized because the vehicle was different in two photos that had been published in the media. On one of them, the mirrors were white and on another, they were black. A trained eye would only need a few seconds to understand that the first one was taken from a rooftop and that there was a reflection of light on the headlights. But the conspiracy theorists do not give up. These attacks are a vast hoax, among other things, because of this element or the identity card found in the car. And unfortunately, there are young people who believe in these ideas as much as adults.
In this context, is it possible to deconstruct conspiracy theories? The site Spicee, which we featured, is trying to do just that. Can it work? The Humanities article is not reassuring in this sense. In fact, the more a person is immersed in conspiracy and has publicly affirmed his or her positions, the more difficult it is, even with solid arguments, to change his or her mind. It is therefore important to work with children beforehand in order to develop their critical sense. Moreover, the Educsol platform has a page of links and resources for all levels expressly designed to deconstruct these ideas. It must be said that National Education Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem is herself regularly on the receiving end of theories of all kinds.
The work of deconstructing is not easy, however. A history-geography teacher teaching 4th and 3rd graders explains his method. As Thomas Vescovi himself says, it is not a miracle recipe. Having himself succumbed to conspiracy theories at age 15, he understands well how young people seeking to grasp their complicated world prefer the easy solutions that are the Internet without checking sources.
His approach is first to historicize beliefs, that is, to put different elements in context, such as the birth of Daesh or the Fatimid empire that was in place in what would become modern-day Tunisia. Thus, it teaches students to be wary of those who use their personal beliefs in politics. The second part is to understand politics. He explains how the different factions use it. Classroom debate on sensitive topics becomes more peaceful and rational once students understand these elements. Finally, he looks for ways out with them. A way to talk about the media, their political orientation, independent media and others. The kids eventually grasp that the claim that a group of people control the planet is rather irrational.
.In fact, Thomas Vescosi reminds his students that the idea of an axis of good and evil is absurd. The world is made up of states, groups, and individuals all seeking to defend their personal and collective interests. In short, the basic task is to explain politics in the broadest sense to students. An important task especially since as soon as they leave the classroom, they will be confronted again with truncated or contradictory information.
Illustration : The girl with cold hands don't expect me to tell you via photopin (license)
References
Battaglia, Mattea. "Complotist Theories: When Najat Vallaud-Belkacem Trots Out Her Trolls." Le Monde.fr. Last updated : 2 February 2017. http://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2017/02/02/theories-complotistes-quand-najat-vallaud-belkacem-trolle-ses-trolls_5073288_4355770.html.
Bert, Claudie. "Conspiracy Theories: Has Our Society Become Paranoid?" Humanities. Last updated : January 9, 2017. https://www.scienceshumaines.com/theories-du-complot-notre-societe-est-elle-devenue-parano_fr_33953.html.
Devillers, Sonia. "US Campaign: How Complotism Took Over The News." France Inter. Last updated : November 10, 2016. https://www.franceinter.fr/emissions/l-instant-m/l-instant-m-10-novembre-2016.
Le Luherne, Nicolas. "The Benefits Of Skepticism: Antidote To Rampant Credulity." Thot Cursus. Last updated : 30 January 2017. http://cursus.edu/dossiers-articles/articles/28378/les-bienfaits-scepticisme-antidote-credulite-rampante/#.WMl1yvnhCM8.
Le Luherne, Nicolas. "Educating In The Face Of Complotism: An Interview With Thomas Huchon." Thot Cursus. Last updated : June 6, 2016. http://cursus.edu/dossiers-articles/articles/27390/eduquer-face-complotisme-interview-thomas-huchon/#.WMl1v_nhCM9.
"Resources - Deconstructing Disinformation And Conspiracy Theories." Eduscol. Last updated : August 23, 2016. http://eduscol.education.fr/cid95488/deconstruire-desinformation-les-theories-conspirationnistes.html.
Vescovi, Thomas. "Complotism Deconstructed Through Pedagogy, By Thomas Vescovi." MeltingBook. Last updated : March 3, 2017. http://www.meltingbook.com/theorie-complot-politique-thomas-vescovi/.
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