Reality Team, Author at Reality Team Unite people with simple, reliable, memorable ideas and info. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 03:22:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://realityteam.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/cropped-PDF_-_Google_Drive-1-32x32.png Reality Team, Author at Reality Team 32 32 What is Scapegoating (True) https://realityteam.org/cards/scapegoating-answer-true/ Wed, 05 Aug 2026 03:18:03 +0000 https://realityteam.org/?p=37713 Scapegoating What is scapegoating? Scapegoating occurs when we unfairly blame an entire group of people for societal ills. For example, Jews were falsely blamed for the black death (the plague) in the Middle Ages, which led to mass violence and pogroms. Today, scapegoating and conspiracy theories often go hand-in-hand. What are conspiracy theories? Conspiracy theories […]

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You're right - this is a form of scapegoating.

Scapegoating

What is scapegoating?

Scapegoating occurs when we unfairly blame an entire group of people for societal ills. For example, Jews were falsely blamed for the black death (the plague) in the Middle Ages, which led to mass violence and pogroms.

Today, scapegoating and conspiracy theories often go hand-in-hand.

What are conspiracy theories?

Conspiracy theories can be defined in a variety of ways.

In general, they reject established and accepted narratives, implying that sinister and powerful forces are manipulating various events and situations behind the scenes, usually for political gain. For example, a conspiracy theorist might claim that the U.S. and Israeli governments orchestrated the 9/11 attacks in order to stoke public outrage against Israel’s antagonists in the Middle East, or that the British royal family conspired to murder Princess Diana because they disapproved of her then-boyfriend.

Conspiracy theories have been around for centuries, and often emerge from a need to make sense of the world around us. Some conspiracy theories, like the great replacement theory, are associated with various right- or left-wing ideologies, while others transcend political lines, like those surrounding the assassination of John F. Kennedy or Area 51.

While some conspiracy theories–such as claims that Paul McCartney died decades ago and was replaced by a “body double” – are relatively harmless, other theories sow division, undermine trust in institutions and justify violence.

They can also be used to demonize groups of people, such as false claims that LGBTQ+ people are “grooming” children or claims that a Jewish cabal controls world governments. Under the right circumstances, conspiracy theories can motivate people to violence, as seen during the January 6 insurrection and mass shootings in Buffalo, El Paso and Christchurch, New Zealand.

How do conspiracy theories work and how can you spot them?

There are real reasons for people to distrust governments, corporations and other powerful figures and groups. Actual conspiracies and cover-ups occur quite regularly; Watergate, the Tuskegee experiments and COINTELPRO were all real events.

However, while real conspiracies do exist, this doesn’t mean that every event or situation is the result of a nefarious plot or that powerful figures are always trying to hide the truth.

This conundrum poses an important question: How do we differentiate between real conspiracies and conspiracy theories?

How can we spot a conspiracy theory?

One of the best ways to spot conspiracy theories is by learning about the different tactics that conspiracy theorists often use to draw people into believing disinformation.

A common tactic that conspiracy theorist sources often use is called scapegoating.

Scapegoating

Scapegoating occurs when a person or group is singled out or takes unwarranted blame for a serious and complex problem. The complexity of that problem is reduced to the role played by this individual or group, who cannot reasonably be responsible for the entire problem.

Scapegoating is commonly seen throughout history, but it remains common even today.

Often, scapegoating intensifies in times of anxiety or uncertainty—for example, during economic downturns, wars, or pandemics. You likely still hear the phrase ‘poisoning the well,’ which originated during the Black Plague when people started blaming the rapid spread of disease on Jews poisoning public drinking wells. Absent the scientific knowledge that would have explained the spread of illness, this conspiracy theory spread rapidly, even leading to mass violence against Jews who were wrongly blamed.

Tips to spot conspiracy theories

Today, conspiracy theories seem to be spreading even more rapidly.

While the internet has made it easier for us to connect with each other and share information, it’s also made it easier for conspiracy theories and misleading information to spread. We can all fall for conspiracy theories and unintentionally aid their spread. That’s why it’s crucial for all of us to learn how to spot them.

Here are some suggestions:

Check the source of the information.

If you haven’t heard of the author or publication, do some research to assess how trustworthy they are.

Is the social media user who shared this information reliable? Are they attached to a reputable organization or are they a self-proclaimed expert? Where did they get this information from?

Additional red flags are raised when articles contain lots of grammatical errors, lack sources or are all written by the same author, or if a website contains an unusual URL or lacks an “About Us” section.

Check multiple sources.

Are other, credible news outlets and experts sharing the same information? If a story is real, many publications will cover it.

Have fact-checking sites like Snopes and PolitiFact refuted the claims?

Evaluate photos and videos that accompany stories and social media posts.

Conspiracy theorists will often use old and/or manipulated images to support their stance.

Conduct a reverse image search on Google or TinEye to see if the image has shown up elsewhere and if it has been manipulated. If it has, there’s a good chance you’re being played.

Think before you share.

Does the story sound too good (or bad) to be true? Is the tone objective and factual, or is it sensationalist? Does the headline accurately reflect the story?

Conspiracy theories and misleading information thrive by invoking a strong reaction from believers. If the information upsets you or makes you angry, it could be a sign that you’re being manipulated.

What can you do to help those who have fallen for conspiracy theories?

Rather than debunking conspiracy theories after they’ve spread, a more effective strategy is to “pre-bunk” conspiracy theories, which means inoculating people before they are exposed.

This involves “warning people that a specific piece of information is false and explaining why a source might lie or be misinformed about it before they encounter the information organically,” according to researchers. For example, talking to people about scapegoating and how to spot it can better equip them to recognize a conspiratorial claim that uses this common tactic when they see it.

Luckily, there is a wealth of information about these tactics and resources to help you spot them. Inoculation science, a project of social scientists at Cambridge University, is one such resource, where you can learn more about scapegoating as well as other common disinformation tactics.

Related Cards

The post What is Scapegoating (True) appeared first on Reality Team.

]]> What is Scapegoating (False) https://realityteam.org/cards/scapegoating-answer-false/ Wed, 05 Aug 2026 03:17:04 +0000 https://realityteam.org/?p=37712 Scapegoating What is scapegoating? Scapegoating occurs when we unfairly blame an entire group of people for societal ills. For example, Jews were falsely blamed for

The post What is Scapegoating (False) appeared first on Reality Team.

]]>
Actually, scapegoating is when we blame whole groups of people for society's problems.

Scapegoating

What is scapegoating?

Scapegoating occurs when we unfairly blame an entire group of people for societal ills. For example, Jews were falsely blamed for the black death (the plague) in the Middle Ages, which led to mass violence and pogroms.

Today, scapegoating and conspiracy theories often go hand-in-hand.

What are conspiracy theories?

Conspiracy theories can be defined in a variety of ways.

In general, they reject established and accepted narratives, implying that sinister and powerful forces are manipulating various events and situations behind the scenes, usually for political gain. For example, a conspiracy theorist might claim that the U.S. and Israeli governments orchestrated the 9/11 attacks in order to stoke public outrage against Israel’s antagonists in the Middle East, or that the British royal family conspired to murder Princess Diana because they disapproved of her then-boyfriend.

Conspiracy theories have been around for centuries, and often emerge from a need to make sense of the world around us. Some conspiracy theories, like the great replacement theory, are associated with various right- or left-wing ideologies, while others transcend political lines, like those surrounding the assassination of John F. Kennedy or Area 51.

While some conspiracy theories–such as claims that Paul McCartney died decades ago and was replaced by a “body double” – are relatively harmless, other theories sow division, undermine trust in institutions and justify violence.

They can also be used to demonize groups of people, such as false claims that LGBTQ+ people are “grooming” children or claims that a Jewish cabal controls world governments. Under the right circumstances, conspiracy theories can motivate people to violence, as seen during the January 6 insurrection and mass shootings in Buffalo, El Paso and Christchurch, New Zealand.

How do conspiracy theories work and how can you spot them?

There are real reasons for people to distrust governments, corporations and other powerful figures and groups. Actual conspiracies and cover-ups occur quite regularly; Watergate, the Tuskegee experiments and COINTELPRO were all real events.

However, while real conspiracies do exist, this doesn’t mean that every event or situation is the result of a nefarious plot or that powerful figures are always trying to hide the truth.

This conundrum poses an important question: How do we differentiate between real conspiracies and conspiracy theories?

How can we spot a conspiracy theory?

One of the best ways to spot conspiracy theories is by learning about the different tactics that conspiracy theorists often use to draw people into believing disinformation.

A common tactic that conspiracy theorist sources often use is called scapegoating.

Scapegoating

Scapegoating occurs when a person or group is singled out or takes unwarranted blame for a serious and complex problem. The complexity of that problem is reduced to the role played by this individual or group, who cannot reasonably be responsible for the entire problem.

Scapegoating is commonly seen throughout history, but it remains common even today.

Often, scapegoating intensifies in times of anxiety or uncertainty—for example, during economic downturns, wars, or pandemics. You likely still hear the phrase ‘poisoning the well,’ which originated during the Black Plague when people started blaming the rapid spread of disease on Jews poisoning public drinking wells. Absent the scientific knowledge that would have explained the spread of illness, this conspiracy theory spread rapidly, even leading to mass violence against Jews who were wrongly blamed.

Tips to spot conspiracy theories

Today, conspiracy theories seem to be spreading even more rapidly.

While the internet has made it easier for us to connect with each other and share information, it’s also made it easier for conspiracy theories and misleading information to spread. We can all fall for conspiracy theories and unintentionally aid their spread. That’s why it’s crucial for all of us to learn how to spot them.

Here are some suggestions:

Check the source of the information.

If you haven’t heard of the author or publication, do some research to assess how trustworthy they are.

Is the social media user who shared this information reliable? Are they attached to a reputable organization or are they a self-proclaimed expert? Where did they get this information from?

Additional red flags are raised when articles contain lots of grammatical errors, lack sources or are all written by the same author, or if a website contains an unusual URL or lacks an “About Us” section.

Check multiple sources.

Are other, credible news outlets and experts sharing the same information? If a story is real, many publications will cover it.

Have fact-checking sites like Snopes and PolitiFact refuted the claims?

Evaluate photos and videos that accompany stories and social media posts.

Conspiracy theorists will often use old and/or manipulated images to support their stance.

Conduct a reverse image search on Google or TinEye to see if the image has shown up elsewhere and if it has been manipulated. If it has, there’s a good chance you’re being played.

Think before you share.

Does the story sound too good (or bad) to be true? Is the tone objective and factual, or is it sensationalist? Does the headline accurately reflect the story?

Conspiracy theories and misleading information thrive by invoking a strong reaction from believers. If the information upsets you or makes you angry, it could be a sign that you’re being manipulated.

What can you do to help those who have fallen for conspiracy theories?

Rather than debunking conspiracy theories after they’ve spread, a more effective strategy is to “pre-bunk” conspiracy theories, which means inoculating people before they are exposed.

This involves “warning people that a specific piece of information is false and explaining why a source might lie or be misinformed about it before they encounter the information organically,” according to researchers. For example, talking to people about scapegoating and how to spot it can better equip them to recognize a conspiratorial claim that uses this common tactic when they see it.

Luckily, there is a wealth of information about these tactics and resources to help you spot them. Inoculation science, a project of social scientists at Cambridge University, is one such resource, where you can learn more about scapegoating as well as other common disinformation tactics.

Related Cards

The post What is Scapegoating (False) appeared first on Reality Team.

]]> What is Scapegoating https://realityteam.org/cards/what-is-scapegoating/ Wed, 05 Aug 2026 02:08:14 +0000 https://realityteam.org/?p=37698 Scapegoating What is scapegoating? Scapegoating occurs when we unfairly blame an entire group of people for societal ills. For example, Jews were falsely blamed for

The post What is Scapegoating appeared first on Reality Team.

]]>

Scapegoating

What is scapegoating?

Scapegoating occurs when we unfairly blame an entire group of people for societal ills. For example, Jews were falsely blamed for the black death (the plague) in the Middle Ages, which led to mass violence and pogroms.

Today, scapegoating and conspiracy theories often go hand-in-hand.

What are conspiracy theories?

Conspiracy theories can be defined in a variety of ways.

In general, they reject established and accepted narratives, implying that sinister and powerful forces are manipulating various events and situations behind the scenes, usually for political gain. For example, a conspiracy theorist might claim that the U.S. and Israeli governments orchestrated the 9/11 attacks in order to stoke public outrage against Israel’s antagonists in the Middle East, or that the British royal family conspired to murder Princess Diana because they disapproved of her then-boyfriend.

Conspiracy theories have been around for centuries, and often emerge from a need to make sense of the world around us. Some conspiracy theories, like the great replacement theory, are associated with various right- or left-wing ideologies, while others transcend political lines, like those surrounding the assassination of John F. Kennedy or Area 51.

While some conspiracy theories–such as claims that Paul McCartney died decades ago and was replaced by a “body double” – are relatively harmless, other theories sow division, undermine trust in institutions and justify violence.

They can also be used to demonize groups of people, such as false claims that LGBTQ+ people are “grooming” children or claims that a Jewish cabal controls world governments. Under the right circumstances, conspiracy theories can motivate people to violence, as seen during the January 6 insurrection and mass shootings in Buffalo, El Paso and Christchurch, New Zealand.

How do conspiracy theories work and how can you spot them?

There are real reasons for people to distrust governments, corporations and other powerful figures and groups. Actual conspiracies and cover-ups occur quite regularly; Watergate, the Tuskegee experiments and COINTELPRO were all real events.

However, while real conspiracies do exist, this doesn’t mean that every event or situation is the result of a nefarious plot or that powerful figures are always trying to hide the truth.

This conundrum poses an important question: How do we differentiate between real conspiracies and conspiracy theories?

How can we spot a conspiracy theory?

One of the best ways to spot conspiracy theories is by learning about the different tactics that conspiracy theorists often use to draw people into believing disinformation.

A common tactic that conspiracy theorist sources often use is called scapegoating.

Scapegoating

Scapegoating occurs when a person or group is singled out or takes unwarranted blame for a serious and complex problem. The complexity of that problem is reduced to the role played by this individual or group, who cannot reasonably be responsible for the entire problem.

Scapegoating is commonly seen throughout history, but it remains common even today.

Often, scapegoating intensifies in times of anxiety or uncertainty—for example, during economic downturns, wars, or pandemics. You likely still hear the phrase ‘poisoning the well,’ which originated during the Black Plague when people started blaming the rapid spread of disease on Jews poisoning public drinking wells. Absent the scientific knowledge that would have explained the spread of illness, this conspiracy theory spread rapidly, even leading to mass violence against Jews who were wrongly blamed.

Tips to spot conspiracy theories

Today, conspiracy theories seem to be spreading even more rapidly.

While the internet has made it easier for us to connect with each other and share information, it’s also made it easier for conspiracy theories and misleading information to spread. We can all fall for conspiracy theories and unintentionally aid their spread. That’s why it’s crucial for all of us to learn how to spot them.

Here are some suggestions:

Check the source of the information.

If you haven’t heard of the author or publication, do some research to assess how trustworthy they are.

Is the social media user who shared this information reliable? Are they attached to a reputable organization or are they a self-proclaimed expert? Where did they get this information from?

Additional red flags are raised when articles contain lots of grammatical errors, lack sources or are all written by the same author, or if a website contains an unusual URL or lacks an “About Us” section.

Check multiple sources.

Are other, credible news outlets and experts sharing the same information? If a story is real, many publications will cover it.

Have fact-checking sites like Snopes and PolitiFact refuted the claims?

Evaluate photos and videos that accompany stories and social media posts.

Conspiracy theorists will often use old and/or manipulated images to support their stance.

Conduct a reverse image search on Google or TinEye to see if the image has shown up elsewhere and if it has been manipulated. If it has, there’s a good chance you’re being played.

Think before you share.

Does the story sound too good (or bad) to be true? Is the tone objective and factual, or is it sensationalist? Does the headline accurately reflect the story?

Conspiracy theories and misleading information thrive by invoking a strong reaction from believers. If the information upsets you or makes you angry, it could be a sign that you’re being manipulated.

What can you do to help those who have fallen for conspiracy theories?

Rather than debunking conspiracy theories after they’ve spread, a more effective strategy is to “pre-bunk” conspiracy theories, which means inoculating people before they are exposed.

This involves “warning people that a specific piece of information is false and explaining why a source might lie or be misinformed about it before they encounter the information organically,” according to researchers. For example, talking to people about scapegoating and how to spot it can better equip them to recognize a conspiratorial claim that uses this common tactic when they see it.

Luckily, there is a wealth of information about these tactics and resources to help you spot them. Inoculation science, a project of social scientists at Cambridge University, is one such resource, where you can learn more about scapegoating as well as other common disinformation tactics.

Related Cards

The post What is Scapegoating appeared first on Reality Team.

]]> Is offshore wind worth it? https://realityteam.org/cards/is-offshore-wind-worth-it/ Wed, 16 Apr 2025 19:09:02 +0000 https://realityteam.org/?p=37670 Is offshore wind worth it? Related Cards

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Is offshore wind worth it?

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]]> Key facts about climate change https://realityteam.org/cards/key-facts-about-climate-change/ Wed, 16 Apr 2025 19:08:28 +0000 https://realityteam.org/?p=37671 Key facts about climate change Related Cards

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Key facts about climate change

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]]> Is clean energy reliable? https://realityteam.org/cards/is-clean-energy-reliable/ Wed, 16 Apr 2025 18:59:58 +0000 https://realityteam.org/?p=37665 Is clean energy reliable? Related Cards

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Is clean energy reliable?

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]]> Can clean energy make us rich? https://realityteam.org/cards/can-clean-energy-make-us-rich/ Wed, 16 Apr 2025 18:59:41 +0000 https://realityteam.org/?p=37657 Can clean energy make us rich? Related Cards

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Can clean energy make us rich?

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]]> Why do experts trust US elections? https://realityteam.org/cards/why-do-experts-trust-us-elections/ Wed, 14 Aug 2024 21:07:55 +0000 https://realityteam.org/?p=37184 Why do experts trust US elections? Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on email Many people are involved at each step Local election officials

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Why do experts trust US elections?

Why do experts trust US elections?
There are many people involved at each step from both parties in every state.
There are multiple checks and balances.
If a candidate challenges the results, audits and recounts might be conducted, but our system requires proof and following the law.

Many people are involved at each step

  • Local election officials
  • County-level administrators
  • Neighborhood volunteers
  • Independent observers
  • In every state, thousands of people from both parties are involved.

There are multiple checks and balances

Election offices follow detailed steps to:

  • check voter eligibility
  • confirm results from each voting location
  • securely transport ballots

Both parties are involved

  • People from both political parties work together at every step of the voting, counting, and reporting process.

What if a candidate questions the outcome?

  • There are legal processes and methods for challenging results.
  • Audits are thorough.
  • Evidence is carefully examined.
  • The state certifies the results.

Related Cards

The post Why do experts trust US elections? appeared first on Reality Team.

]]> Why do election results take so long to get? https://realityteam.org/cards/why-do-election-results-take-so-long-to-get/ Wed, 14 Aug 2024 17:32:11 +0000 https://realityteam.org/?p=37044 Why do election results take so long to get? Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on email Accuracy is more important than speed Officials

The post Why do election results take so long to get? appeared first on Reality Team.

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Why do election results take so long to get?

Why do election results take so long to get?
Accuracy takes time
They confirm the results
Mailed ballots take longer

Accuracy is more important than speed

  • Officials need to make sure to count every ballot.
  • They double check for duplicates and voter status.
  • Many audit results before they certify.

Some state laws require early votes and mail-in votes to be counted at a certain time

  • Some states (like Pennsylvania) can’t count early and mail ballots till election day.
  • It takes time to process and verify millions of ballots.

Some states require mail-in and absentee votes to be postmarked by election day

  • Some states, like North Carolina, accept mailed ballots POSTMARKED by election day.
  • It can take a few days for them to arrive.
  • That helps overseas military vote.

Related Cards

The post Why do election results take so long to get? appeared first on Reality Team.

]]> What are AI deepfakes? https://realityteam.org/cards/what-are-ai-deepfakes/ Wed, 31 Jul 2024 17:46:52 +0000 https://realityteam.org/?p=36619 A deepfake is an AI generated image or video.

The post What are AI deepfakes? appeared first on Reality Team.

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What are AI deepfakes?

AI deepfakes and elections
What are deepfakes?
Can we tell if something is a deepfake?
Red flags for detecting deepfakes
What to do about deepfakes
Is it legal to use a deepfake in political ads?

A deepfake is an AI generated image or video.

In other words, it’s a lie.

Why do we care?

Bad guys and foreign governments are cranking them out to convince us that politicians did things they didn’t do. Some make them look bad. Some make them look good. Some could panic the country.

Fake images aren’t new. But AI is making them better, easier, and cheaper for bad actors to use.

Show me some examples:

Here is a whole page of recent political deepfakes of Biden and Trump.

Can we spot deepfakes?

Not reliably. The technology is good enough now that it takes an expert – and even they can be fooled.

How do we outsmart the trick?

  1. Recognize red flags.
  2. Build better reflexes (think before we react).
  3. Find out where an image came from.
  4. Learn some basic fact checking.

Recognize red flags

…and learn to think before we react. (That last part takes some practice).

RED FLAG 1: No Source

An image, video or audio that doesn’t link to or explain where it came from is often fake or manipulated.

Don’t share till you check.

RED FLAG 2: Something shocks or angers you.

Bad guys want us to react before we think.

Unfortunately, we’re kind of wired to do that – but we can build a better reflex.

Bad guys make stuff that shocks us or makes us furious, or even think “how cute”.

When we gasp at a post or a video – that’s a big red flag. It might be real – or it might be someone trying to manipulate us.
Sometimes it’s a joke – we keep getting got by the parodies.

2. Build better reflexes

Bad actors use propaganda tricks to get us to stop thinking. The more they can get a Before we react – ask:

  • Is it real?
  • Where did it come from?
  • Can I trust them?

3. Find out where an image came from: reverse image search

Reverse image search
  1. You can find out where it came from with a reverse image search: Use the Google App to do a reverse image search.
  2. Do what they call “Lateral Reading” In other words, check snopes.com, a mainstream news site, or politifact.org. You may not like their take on the issue, but serious news outlets won’t spread things they haven’t checked out.

3. Fact check like a pro: S.I.F.T.

The SIFT method

Want to be smarter about what you’re seeing and hearing online?

Experts recommend using the SIFT method:

  • Stop.
  • Investigate the source.
  • Find other coverage.
  • Track the original.

Related Cards

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