Conspiracists falsely portray themselves as skeptical critical thinkers

Evidence

A romantic characterization has it that conspiracism is a skeptical disposition. Conspiracism, the argument goes, “disrupt[s] complacent, consensual, transparent theories of politics” and involves us “in a reiterative back-and-forth that mobilizes doubt and reassurance.… The narrative pivot … involves the step away from belief and into skepticism.” Conspiracy entrepreneurs encourage this description. They adopt the label of critical thinkers for themselves. — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying, 265

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Conspiracism is not bullshit because it cares about being affirmed as reality. — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying: The New…, 166; Wholesome skepticism differs fundamentally from conspiracism; New conspiracism offers cheap knowingness as an elite status — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying: The New…, 95 (+10 more)

Broader Connections

• Countering conspiracism requires reaching open minds only #qualifies (0.75) — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying, 348