COVID-19 conspiracy groups could pivot to pushing climate change misinformation in 2022, experts warn
Business InsiderAPR 2022
It's no surprise that a spread in conspiracist ideation has followed the pandemic, as many people trying to make sense of their woes tumbled down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories concerning COVID. These total fabrications risk promoting violence, discrimination, and distrust in institutions.
It's inappropriate to smear people whose beliefs conflict with officially sanctioned or orthodox thought as "conspiracy theorists," thereby treating them as heretics were treated in the Middle Ages. Often there is at minimum a nugget of truth in these theories and complex situations, and silencing diverging opinions will only ultimately undermine democracy and freedom of speech.