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Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a rally at the Sarasota Fairgrounds on July 3, 2021 in Sarasota, Florida, United States. (Photo: Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
A new paper by two political scientist and an anthropologist aims to explain how humans have evolved to spread conspiracy theories, misinformation, and other falsehoods through communities as a way of gaining an advantage over opposing factions--maintaining the upper hand in a society by mobilizing large groups of people and securing their loyalty, as former President Donald Trump and other demagogues throughout history.
\u201cWith @Osmundsen_M & John Tooby, I have argued that our minds have evolved to prioritize - and spread - falsehood over truth in intergroup conflicts: https://t.co/gs0XteooLA\n\nIn this new @Salon piece, @PaulHRosenberg & I discuss the theory & implications: https://t.co/kBOwOxNakf\u201d— Michael Bang Petersen (@Michael Bang Petersen) 1628446595
"Belief in information and content that other people would say is blatantly false is becoming more widespread. It can have some pretty dire consequences, as we could see for example with the storming of the Capitol on January 6."
--Michael Bang Petersen
Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next. It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk. Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support. |
A new paper by two political scientist and an anthropologist aims to explain how humans have evolved to spread conspiracy theories, misinformation, and other falsehoods through communities as a way of gaining an advantage over opposing factions--maintaining the upper hand in a society by mobilizing large groups of people and securing their loyalty, as former President Donald Trump and other demagogues throughout history.
\u201cWith @Osmundsen_M & John Tooby, I have argued that our minds have evolved to prioritize - and spread - falsehood over truth in intergroup conflicts: https://t.co/gs0XteooLA\n\nIn this new @Salon piece, @PaulHRosenberg & I discuss the theory & implications: https://t.co/kBOwOxNakf\u201d— Michael Bang Petersen (@Michael Bang Petersen) 1628446595
"Belief in information and content that other people would say is blatantly false is becoming more widespread. It can have some pretty dire consequences, as we could see for example with the storming of the Capitol on January 6."
--Michael Bang Petersen
A new paper by two political scientist and an anthropologist aims to explain how humans have evolved to spread conspiracy theories, misinformation, and other falsehoods through communities as a way of gaining an advantage over opposing factions--maintaining the upper hand in a society by mobilizing large groups of people and securing their loyalty, as former President Donald Trump and other demagogues throughout history.
\u201cWith @Osmundsen_M & John Tooby, I have argued that our minds have evolved to prioritize - and spread - falsehood over truth in intergroup conflicts: https://t.co/gs0XteooLA\n\nIn this new @Salon piece, @PaulHRosenberg & I discuss the theory & implications: https://t.co/kBOwOxNakf\u201d— Michael Bang Petersen (@Michael Bang Petersen) 1628446595
"Belief in information and content that other people would say is blatantly false is becoming more widespread. It can have some pretty dire consequences, as we could see for example with the storming of the Capitol on January 6."
--Michael Bang Petersen