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Why Smart People Fall for Conspiracy Theories

How to Avoid the Trap

2021-11-09 17:00:00 2021-11-09 18:30:00 America/New_York Why Smart People Fall for Conspiracy Theories We all know smart people who believe crazy things they read on the internet. But why do they believe conspiracy theories, and how can we prevent falling for them? Main Library - Zoom 3 Virtual

Tuesday, November 09
5:00pm - 6:30pm

Add to Calendar 2021-11-09 17:00:00 2021-11-09 18:30:00 America/New_York Why Smart People Fall for Conspiracy Theories We all know smart people who believe crazy things they read on the internet. But why do they believe conspiracy theories, and how can we prevent falling for them? Main Library - Zoom 3 Virtual

Main Library

Zoom 3 Virtual

We all know smart people who believe crazy things they read on the internet. But why do they believe conspiracy theories, and how can we prevent falling for them?

We all know smart people who believe crazy things they read on the internet. But why do they believe conspiracy theories, and how can we prevent falling for them?  

Join us from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 9, to examine factors that allow conspiratorial thinking to take hold and flourish. In this free, 1.5-hour online workshop sponsored by The Montclair Public Library, we will examine:  

·         How conspiracy theories work, and why so they are so common.

·         Why smart people can believe them, and how they meet our psychological needs– especially during COVID-19.

·         How our cognitive biases support beliefs in conspiracy theories.

·         How online and social media algorithms help conspiracy theories flourish.  

·         Conspiracy theory characteristics and red flags.

·         Skills to identify, verify and avoid the traps of this type of misinformation.

This will be a hands-on class so have a computer close by so you can practice skills as we learn. Also, digital handouts will be provided before class via email.

The workshop will be taught by Theresa Walsh Giarrusso, a journalist and former journalism professor at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. A Montclair resident, Giarrusso worked with the Montclair School District on a year-long MFEE-sponsored News and Social Media pilot project. She has worked with teachers around New Jersey on these skills. Giarrusso also taught digital literacy classes through the Montclair Institute for Lifelong Learning. Giarrusso’s news and digital literacy strategies have been featured on CNN.com.

This is a free event, but you must register to attend. All are welcome to attend. Sign up here

AGE GROUP: | Families | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Lectures/History/Culture | Computers & Technology |

TAGS: | |

Main Library

Phone: 973-744-0500

Hours
Mon, Jun 02 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jun 03 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jun 04 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jun 05 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jun 06 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Jun 07 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Jun 08 1:00PM to 6:00PM

Upcoming events

Mon, Jun 09, 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Main Library - Teen Room
Come hang out with your friends in the Teen Room and make bracelets!
No registration required.

Wed, Jun 11, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Main Library
A virtual, lively, and informative discussion on today’s financial markets and how they might fit into your portfolio.

Wed, Jun 11, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library - Storytime Room
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Join us for Pokémon Club -- you can battle your friends on Switch or using your cards! Don't have a deck? Don't worry, we have premade sets ready to go! You will have to bring your own Switch.
This event is full

Wed, Jun 11, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Online
This is a paid Adult School Class. When registering, you will be taken to the Adult School Website.
Register

Thu, Jun 12, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Main Library - Tower Room
Join us for our monthly Teen Book Club. Each month, we'll read books from a different theme or genre and discuss! We meet on the second... more
Join us for our monthly Teen Book Club. Each month, we'll read books from a different theme or genre and discuss! We meet on the second Thursday of every month.
Registration is required.

Mon, Jun 16, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Main Library - Auditorium
set up for board meeting

Mon, Jun 16, 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Main Library - Teen Room
Come hang out with your friends in the Teen Room and make bracelets!
No registration required.

Tue, Jun 17, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Main Library - Tower Room
Free drop-in wellness screenings courtesy of Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center.

Wed, Jun 18, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Online
This is a paid Adult School Class. When registering, you will be taken to the Adult School Website.
Register

Mon, Jun 23, 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Main Library - Teen Room
Come hang out with your friends in the Teen Room and make bracelets!
No registration required.

Mon, Jun 30, 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Main Library - Teen Room
Come hang out with your friends in the Teen Room and make bracelets!
No registration required.

Mon, Jul 21, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Main Library - Auditorium
set up for board meeting

Tue, Aug 19, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Main Library - Tower Room
Free drop-in wellness screenings courtesy of Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center.