“We are all looking for a sense of purpose and community” #TEDTalks

What if by talking to conspiracy theorists like they're ignorant and stupid, we're actually pushing them farther away from the truth that we want them to see? Because what happens when someone tells you that you're stupid, you're all wrong, you're the problem, you'll feel judged and dismissed and most importantly, you'll feel otherred which may lead you to look for safety in those who are like-minded to do what they have been doing for you. affirm your selfhood, give you a sense of identity, belonging. We have to consider that conspiracy theorists are not just joining these groups for no reason. They're getting rewards out of these things that we are all looking for. A sense of purpose, community. Everyone's unique experience influences their own narrative about the world. There's no blueprint. Things are changing quickly. And I think it'll be very important that we develop new solutions for these new problems. We need to think about people's circumstances and reference points to see them as fellow human beings who want to believe in something and want to belong. Because if we continue with our current approach of arguing on the level of belief, it's not going to get us anywhere. Going to end up with more echo chambers, more disinformation, and more polarization. Instead, we can do the harder work of looking into what is fueling the need for an alternate truth. Let's direct our energy toward the crisis of belonging and then maybe we will understand the crisis of belief.