Description
Book SynopsisWe're all conspiracy theorists. Some of us just hide it better than others.
In Suspicious Minds, Rob Brotherton decodes the psychology, history, and consequences of conspiracism, and delves into the research that offers insights into why so many of us are drawn to implausible, unproven and un-provable conspiracy theories. They resonate with some of our brain''s built-in quirks and foibles, and tap into some of our deepest desires, fears, and assumptions about the world.
Conspiracy theorists do not wear tin-foil hats (for the most part). They are not just a few kooks lurking on the paranoid fringes of society with bizarre ideas about shape-shifting reptilian aliens running society in secret. They walk among us. They are us. Everyone loves a good conspiracy. Yet conspiracy theories are not a recent invention. And they are not always a harmless curiosity.
The fascinating and often surprising psychology of conspiracy theories tells us a lot--n
Trade Review
Sophisticated and absorbing...This is a first-class book. It melds science, history and popular culture cleverly and with purpose. * Sunday Times *
A thought-provoking analysis and an appealing guide to thinking about conspiracies, real and imagined. * Wall Street Journal *
...presents a textured and often surprising look into the fascinating world of conspiracy theories. A world so often described as dark and shady is shown to be much closer to home than we could have first imagined. * The Psychologist *
Suspicious Minds details the various psychological 'quirks and shortcuts' that make us susceptible to conspiracy theories [...] offering a convincing argument against the common practice of tarring political opponents as conspiracy theorists. -- Adrian Chen * New York Times Book Review *
Clearly written and with liberal use of humor and numerous examples from scholarly research, this title provides a valuable look at why conspiracy theories abound and why we should continually assess our thinking. -- Richard Maxwell * 9/1 *
An enlightening and educational read. * How It Works *
In this fascinating, and often startling book, Rob Brotherton reveals that the crazy people may well be completely wrong in their beliefs, but they are no more crazy than you and me. * Fortean Times *
Table of Contents
Introduction. Down the Rabbit Hole Chapter 1. The Age of Conspiracy Chapter 2. What’s the Harm? Chapter 3. What is a Conspiracy Theory? Chapter 4. Conspiracy Minded Chapter 5. The Paranoid Fringe Chapter 6. I Want to Believe Chapter 7. (Official) Stories Chapter 8. Connect the Dots Chapter 9. Intention Seekers Chapter 10. Proportion Distortion Chapter 11. I Knew It Epilogue: Only Human
