Conspiracy theories have not only been widespread since the corona crisis. The following tips prepare you for a conversation - also with regard to other radical views.
- Do you also know someone whose extreme views or conspiracy theories you cannot understand?
- Conversations can be very stressful if the setting is extremely contrary.
- So that it doesn't escalate, you should know a few rules of conduct.
The coronavirus outbreak is not a zoonosis *, but is based on a secret bio-weapon development project by the Chinese government: Some people are concerned with such or similar theories. And it's not just the novel lung disease Covid-19 that calls conspiracy theorists onto the scene. There are innumerable types and areas in which people acquire extreme views for which there is no evidence. Anyone who has an extroverted "conspiracy theorist" in their circle of acquaintances will have been involved in a conversation before. But what to do if the other opinion just sounds crazy ? Journalist Dana Buchzik wrote an entire book about it.
Four tips to help you deal with conspiracy theorists
Book author Buchzik explains how you can best deal with radical opinions, be it in the area of xenophobia, esotericism, religion or in conversation with opponents of vaccination * . People can radicalize themselves so far that this can even destroy friendships and relationships - especially if the friend or partner keeps trying to convince them of their radical opinion.
There is not one conspiracy theorist: with some, constructive discussions are possible, others close completely and do not accept other opinions . These tips can help in extreme cases:
- Set limits : Before the conversation, make yourself clear where your limit lies - and end the conversation or change the subject politely but definitely at this point.
- First-person messages : Attack is not always the best defense - if you do not accept the other person's opinion in conversation, you risk arguing. With ego messages like "I feel overwhelmed", "Your view makes me sad" or "I ask you to take my feelings into account", you can maneuver yourself skilfully through sensitive subject areas.
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- Show appreciation, strengthen attachment : Even if the other's views seem strange - if it is a good friend who drifts in a radical direction, you should make it clear to him that he is important to you. So that he or she doesn't get caught up in conspiracy theories, friends who take a different view of the world are extremely important.
- Looking behind the scenes : It is often a new circle of friends, a new partner or a new professional situation that have an impact on the radicalization of the other person. Try to find out what the need is for radicalization. One possible reason would be that your counterpart feels that they belong to a sect or a similar association. Those who know the background of the change of heart can counteract this better.
It is by no means rare for people to join a radical group like a sect or a right-wing party in the course of their lives. According to the editionf portal, 46 percent of the population believes in secret organizations that influence political decisions. This would come from the current "Mitte study" of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. Problematic: People who believe in conspiracies rate violence more as a "legitimate" political expression . "This is precisely why it is important to remain vigilant in the conversation: If your counterpart glorifies violence, contact advice centers such as EXIT, MBR (Berlin), the Golden Aluhut or the police," says the portal editionf.
Read more : Especially bad for men: When women do this, the stress level increases enormously.
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* merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network .
