DiscoverThe Social Chemist
The Social Chemist
Claim Ownership

The Social Chemist

Author: Nelson Perez

Subscribed: 5Played: 54
Share

Description

A podcast that looks into the psychosocial elements that contribute to conspiracy theories and political extremism. Hosted by social worker and conspiracy theory researcher Nelson Perez.

56 Episodes
Reverse
Send us a Text Message.On today's episode, lecturer and researcher on conspiratorial beliefs Ilya Yablokov joins me to discuss Russia Today's usage of conspiratorial ideologies and how that has helped the Kremlin villainize the U.S. He shares his thoughts on how U.S. and Russian conspiracy theory culture is similar and different. As well as address the effectiveness is news media literacy. InstagramThe Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videosThreadThe Social Chemist (@s...
Send us a Text Message.In today's episode, Royce Hutson, Ph.D., joins me to discuss the role of social workers in addressing political extremism and the effectiveness of violent extremism prevention programs. We also discuss the state of political extremism with the upcoming 2024 elections. InstagramThe Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videosThreadThe Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) on ThreadsRoyce A. Hutson Literature Review Preventing Violent Extremism and Soc...
Send us a Text Message.On today's episode, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Joseph Pierre joins me to discuss the psychosocial elements that contributed to the susceptibility of the QAnon movement, and the varying degrees of convictions held by Q followers. We explore what the future might hold for QAnon as a potential Trump presidency slowly creeps back into power. InstagramThe Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videosThreadThe Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) on ThreadsDr. J...
Send us a Text Message.On today's episode, Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware counterterrorism experts from the Council on Foreign Relations stop by to discuss their new book "God, Guns, and Sedition: Far Right Terrorism in America." which tracks the history of white supremacy from the Reconstruction era all the way to the modern-day America. They offer policy suggestions on how to combat the rise of political extremism and their thoughts into the state of democracy with the upcoming 2024 ele...
Send us a Text Message.On today's episode, Matson and Tawni Browning join to discuss their 2023 book "The Hate Next Door: Undercover within the New Face of White Supremacy," which documents their experience going undercover as white political extremists infiltrating hate groups such as the National Alliance and Unit 88. They offer some reasons why people joined white supremacy groups and advice to help anyone falling down the rabbit hole of hate. InstagramThe Social Chemist (@socialchemistig)...
Send us a Text Message.On today's episode, DeMario Phipps-Smith, a Senior Manager of Community Learning at the News Literacy Project, joins me to discuss news media literacy. As AI technology evolves at a fast pace, scholars on misinformation wonder how this will change our understanding of false narratives. What role do educators have in this social problem, and what tools can be used? The discussion will help us better understand this complex issue and offer resources to help combat disinfo...
Send us a Text Message.On today's episode, Matthew Facciani a sociologist at the University of Notre Dame in the Computer Science and Engineering department joins me to discuss how negative vaccine attitudes don't necessarily tell us about public health behaviors. We touch upon whether government regulations of social media to mitigate misinformation are effective and other strategies in reducing conspiracy theory consumption. Lastly, we talk about his first book "Misguided: Where Misinformat...
Send us a Text Message.On today's episode, Todd C. Helmus, a senior behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation, joins me to talk about how AI-generated imagery will change how mis and disinformation is created and disseminated. We discussed how effective regulating this technology will be in mitigating propaganda and political extremism and whether it will alter how researchers in fake news understand this issue. Facebook The Social Chemist | Facebook Instagram The Social C...
Send us a Text Message.On today's episode, I am joined by conspiracy theory researcher and QAnon expert, Mike Rothschild. We explore the origins of QAnon, whether mental health practitioners have a role in addressing far-right conspiracy theories and assess the conspiratorial framework of the Q movement based on his 2021 book "The Storm Is Upon Us: How QAnon Became A Movement, Cult, and Conspiracy Theory of Everything." We conclude our discussion by speaking about his third book, which will b...
Send us a Text Message.On today's episode, I am joined by Dr. Stephanie Alice Baker, a Senior Lecturer in Sociology from the University of London. We explore the origins of the Wellness Movement in the U.S. and the people who helped develop its foundations. Then explore whether inaccessibility to healthcare puts more people at risk of medical misinformation or whether other factors are at play. Lastly, we look into the types of influencers that have profited off the spread of misinformation a...
Send us a Text Message.On today's episode, I am joined by board-certified forensic psychiatrist Dr. Brian Holoyda, whose work involves paraphilic disorders and cult-like behaviors. In our conversation we discuss the concepts of Delusion Like Beliefs (DLBs) and whether QAnon fits the criteria of being a cult movement. We also cover the diagnostic and ethical dilemmas in pathologizing conspiracy theories as an addiction disorder. FacebookThe Social Chemist | FacebookInstagramThe Social Chemist ...
Send us a Text Message.On today's episode, renowned behavioral scientist Dr. Rakoen Maertens from Cambridge University joins me to discuss the development of the Misinformation Susceptibility Test (MIST) and the importance of creating metric tools that have high validity in measuring false narratives. We cover what the mainstream media needs to do to regain the trust of a society that has expressed skepticism about their reporting. I also attempt to pitch a game show about misinformation with...
Send us a Text Message.On today's episode, Cian O'Mahony, a Ph.D. candidate at the University College Cork, joins me to talk about the most effective interventions in reducing conspiratorial inclinations and how video games can help us develop the cognitive tools to prevent becoming victims of false narratives. We end our discussion by talking about Jeffrey Epstein and whether or not he truly did kill himself. FacebookThe Social Chemist | FacebookInstagramThe Social Chemist (@socialchemi...
Send us a Text Message.On today's episode, Daniel Berman, a postdoctoral student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Historian of Education & Curriculum, joins me to discuss his research on 9/11 conspiracy theories and how they have influenced classroom discussions. We tell our memories of September 11 and briefly talk about conspiracy theories about Pearl Harbor. Throughout the podcast, we attempt to find solutions to the complex issue of conspiratorial ideations and assess ...
Send us a Text Message.As the negative impact of COVID-19 dies down, many influencers in the conspiracy theory community are searching for the next existential threat to boost their popularity and financial gains. Recently, the trans community has become the new outgroup to attack with conspiracy theories. The trend was further exacerbated when on March 27, 2023, 28-year-old Audrey Hale, who identified as trans, entered Covenant Presbyterian Church, a private Christian school, and murdered th...
Send us a Text Message.Today's episode covers the breaking news about Tucker Carlson's departure from FOX News. What events triggered Tucker's termination from FOX, and where does the most popular political pundit head next? Will Tucker Carlson join Newsmaxx, become the next Rush Limbaugh or become exclusive to the Daily Wire?FacebookThe Social Chemist | FacebookInstagramThe Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videosReferencesTucker Carlson ousted at Fox News amid lawsuit...
Send us a Text Message.On today's episode, Bruce Thyer, a Distinguished Research Professor from Florida State University, joins the podcast to discuss the negative implications of pseudoscientific theories within MSW programs and practices. In this episode Bruce Thyer explains pseudoscience and the history behind such concepts. We discussed the obstacles in addressing pseudoscientific beliefs regarding biopsychosocial assessments and their emphasis on cultural sensitivity. Lastly, Bruce Thyer...
Send us a Text Message.In this episode, Stephan McCabe, a postdoctoral associate from George Washington University, joins me to discuss his research on misinformation campaigns regarding U.S. elections and their implication to voting behaviors. We also dive into what factors contribute to succumbing to disinformation and whether left-wing conspiracy theories from the early 2000s can still be considered left-wing. Facebook The Social Chemist | Facebook Instagram The Social Chemist (@socia...
Send us a Text Message.On today's episode, Nelson talks about his experience attending a TurningPointUSA event at Rutgers University. In this event, Nelson attempts to understand the conspiratorial mindset of Candace Owens (a right wing commentator and conspiracy theorist) by asking her opinion about the 1.6 billion dollar defamation lawsuit against FOX News by Dominion Voting System. For this episode, we try to determine whether FOX News intentionally provided false information for a politic...
Send us a Text Message.In recent weeks FOX News has been exposed for spreading disinformation and conspiracy theories about the 2020 Election. After text messages and emails revealed that FOX hosts like Sean Hannity, Lauren Ingraham, and Tucker Carlson disavowed these ideas yet still promoted them to their audience members, Tucker Carlson has gone on the offense to rewrite history and reignite the dangerous conspiracy theories about the Big Lie and QAnon. In today's episode, we look at the co...
loading
Comments 
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store