Calum Matheson, a professor in the Department of Communication and the Film and Media Studies Program, joined host Mark Lynas on his podcast 'Saving the World From Bad Ideas' to discuss conspiracy theories:
"Conspiracy theories are psychologically reassuring closed systems that are corroding democracy. In this conversation, Mark Lynas speaks with Calum Matheson—associate professor and chair of Communication at the University of Pittsburgh—about why conspiracy thinking is more dangerous than ever. The appeal is simple: know the conspiracy, and everything makes sense. You're exceptional because you see the truth while others are "sheep." Every event fits the pattern. And there's always a kernel of truth—the Epstein files validate QAnon, Purdue Pharma's opioid conspiracy fuels anti-vax narratives. Real conspiracies exist, making fake ones nearly impossible to debunk.
The problem? Conspiracy theorists use the same language we do—claiming we ignore evidence and suffer cognitive bias. Worse, conspiracy thinking now runs governments: RFK Jr. heads Health and Human Services, transvestigators claim all celebrities are secretly transgender, and deplatforming backfires. Matheson's prescription: stop trying to demolish conspiracies with facts. Instead, teach probabilistic thinking. Science isn't absolute certainty; it's extremely high probability. We must learn to live with uncertainty and accept that expertise means "more likely to be correct," not "infallible." The goal isn't eradicating conspiracy thinking—it's mitigating its democratic corrosion."
You can listen to the podcast on Spotify, Youtube, or Substack.