Conspiracy theories: Characteristics - Functions - Consequences
VHS@home on Tuesday, 1 December, 7.30 to 9 p.m.
The adult education centre invites you to an online lecture on conspiracy theories, their characteristics, their function and their consequences on Tuesday, 1 December, from 7.30 to 9 pm. Participation is free of charge. Anyone interested can register by midnight on 30 November at www.vhs-chemnitz.de and will then receive an access link by email on the day of the event.
Conspiracy theories are currently on everyone's lips and seem to be everywhere. But what actually constitutes a conspiracy theory and why do people believe in them? Have conspiracy theories increased or have they just become more visible thanks to the internet? And why are they so widespread among supporters of the new populist movements? Is this dangerous for our democracy and what can be done about it? Using current and historical examples, Prof Michael Butter's lecture will provide an introduction to the nature and impact of conspiracy thinking.
Michael Butter is Professor of American Literary and Cultural History at the University of Tübingen. He coordinates a European network for research into conspiracy theories, in which over 150 academics from 36 countries are involved. In March 2018, Edition Suhrkamp published "Nichts ist, wie es scheint: Über Verschwörungstheorien".
This event is part of the series "vhs.wissen live - the digital science programme" as a cooperation between the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre and the Erding and SüdOst Adult Education Centres in the district of Munich.