Conspiracy Theories

Words: 2228
Pages: 9

The media has the attention of billions of people worldwide, which means it affects the opinion of those people, information is sometimes not credible and leads them to believe in unreliable sources. Authors structure their writing on how they view the situation, the author can have a bias viewpoint and will argue about their side is the best. Those who believe in conspiracy theories are believed to be close minded by many authors, who are sometimes close minded as well. The term conspiracy theory could be determined as, “a theory seeking to explain a disputed case or matter as a plot by a secret group or alliance.”, as stated in the article “How Conspiracy Theories Work”. The article, “Why So Many People Believe Conspiracy Theories”, written …show more content…
Explains how studies are used to make sense of the people who believe in conspiracy theories, it is believed because they feel powerless and they are anxious. Readers around the world are the intended audience because the article states the issues that happened in different countries. As stated, ”In certain pockets of America, measles diagnoses have been spreading at previously unprecented rates...Meanwhile in Australia, a 2016 report concluded that 23 deaths from a host of diseases could have been prevented by vaccination between 2005 and 2014.”(Hogenboom). It is said in the article that many did not vaccinate for diseases such as the measles, not vaccinating caused any of those people to die due to measles. They are being called “anti-vaxxers”, those who do not believe in vaccinating because of conspiracy theories they see on the media. These people believe that the companies are covering up damaged effects in the vaccines, although, there is evidence that says otherwise. This source is credible because of their use of studies and actual events with statistics to back up their information. As stated in the article, “ For one, they seem to have an intrinsic and almost narcissistic need for uniqueness, one study showed...People are literally ‘addicted to answers,’ according to one study.”(Hogenboom). The believers of …show more content…
Explains conspiracy theories in a neutral way. The residents of the United States are the intended audience because it is informing the reader about conspiracy theories that happen there but also the terrorists that attacked on September 11, 2001. As stated in the article, “It seems inevitable that people would cry "conspiracy" about any event with this much impact. However, the conspiracy theories around 9/11 have been strong and consistent.” (Brain). Writing about a topic that affected the whole world gets the attention of many people, especially those who live in the country that was attacked or that did attack. The terrorist attack frightened many people and ruined thousands of lives, news reports were about the attack and word spread. This source is credible because it explains the definition in a neutral way, the article gives the reader a viewpoint of what the people that believe in them and those who do not. Also with the use of examples of conspiracy theories and both sides to the situation. Brain states, “One example is the assassination of John F. Kennedy. After the assassination, the government offered its explanation of the events.” (Brain). Reading further into the article will explain how the government offered and released information about the