NON-FICTION
40
you believe that the government is poisoning you with medicines, then you might not get the treatment you need. If you believe inaccurate information about climate change, why would you make an effort to reduce or recycle waste? If you believe that elections are rigged, why bother with voting, or even respecting democracy? U.S poll in 2019: 4% believe that reptilians control the world. 6% believe that the moon landing was faked. 15% believe that the government adds secret mind controlling technology to television broadcast signals. 16% believe that the Earth is flat.
Reading comprehension 1. What can you do to avoid confirmation bias? 2. What can you do to avoid the backfire effect? 3. Have you ever reposted something online without being sure if it was true? Why? 4. What would you say to prove to a conspiracy theorist that the earth is not flat? Discuss in class. 5. Are you surprised by the results of the 2019 poll? Do you think a Swedish poll would show similar results? Why/why not? 6. Search online using the phrases “Is the earth a sphere?” and “Is the earth flat?”. Compare the search results. make an effort anstränga sig rigged riggade, manipulerade
TARGET WORDS
29
2
