Workshop: Anatomy of a Conspiracy Theory
Sunday 13 December, 11:00 - 14:00 - online (sign-up needed)
Cost: €10 / reduced €5 · Language: English
This workshop is part of the project Hate News vs. Free Speech: Polarization and Pluralism in Georgian Media, and takes place in connection to the live-streamed conference of 12 December 2020.
Workshop: Anatomy of a conspiracy theory
With: Alistair Alexander (Researcher, trainer and consultant, IE/DE)
Conspiracy theories have been part of our discourse for millennia. But on digital media they seem to have found their perfect habitat; like a virus, effortlessly adapting and evolving as they spread around the world, conspiracy theories appear to be more contagious and pervasive than ever before,
In this workshop we’ll take a (carefully guided) trip down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole:
What are the elements of a successful conspiracy theory?
Where do they come from? How do they grow?
Why do so many people get drawn to them?
How have social media and digital networks helped conspiracy theories develop?
And, as active citizens, how do we counter their effects and halt their spread?
In this workshop we’ll draw on work from leading researchers in the field. Two groups – one in Berlin and one in Tbilisi - will research and dissect numerous examples of well known and lesser known conspiracy theories from all around the world to understand what makes them work, and why they spread so fast.
We’ll also consider strategies for diminishing the power of conspiracy theories and encouraging fact-based narratives to challenge them.
Registration
Registration: The number of participants is limited to 10. Booking is essential.
You can get your ticket here: https://pretix.eu/disruptionlab/conspiracyPlease note: this workshop is taking place online
Speaker
Alistair Alexander is a researcher, trainer and consultant on technology, art, society and ecology. He has worked as a tech journalist, organised direct actions for climate or global justice, as well as tech projects and campaigns with NGOs worldwide. At Tactical Tech, he led the award-winning Glass Room project, displaying immersive art in pop-up spaces to explore data, privacy and misinformation. https://twitter.com/alicma
During the workshop we’ll also hear more from sound artist Jamie Perera, who uses relevant sound in meaningful ways, expressing objects - from social issues to maths equations - to create provoking experiences for listeners. His current work seeks to discuss and project the notion of fundamental and transient commonalities within structures of human division, part of which has led to interviews with individuals who may fall under the spectrum of conspiracy theory, and a deconstructionist approach to language and present day communication technologies. https://www.jamieperera.com
Funded by the German Federal Foreign Office as part of the programme ‘Expanding Cooperation with Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership Countries and Russia’.