** Time codes to be updated shortly

The term “conspiracy theory” is often used to discredit accusations of elite political criminality and to silence opposition to the machinations of the powers that be. In this episode we discuss the definition of the term “conspiracy theory” and how it was weaponized by the CIA to deflect criticisms of the of the dubious conclusions drawn by the Warren Commission regarding the assassination of former US President Kennedy. Introduced also in this episode is the concept of the ‘epistemic establishment’, which includes knowledge giving institutions and authorities that are trusted by the general public to provide them with truthful information about the world. It is often assumed that since we live in a so-called ‘open society’, corruption of epistemic authorities is unlikely. However, as we illustrate in considerable detail, there are good reasons to distrust our current secular epistemic authorities, and to treat their pronouncements with a healthy degree of skepticism. We provide concrete suggestions about how to find truth in a society characterized by a failing, compromised and corrupt epistemic establishment. Finally, we discuss how framing elite political crimes in terms of “State Crimes Against Democracy” (SCADs)--as suggested by Professor Lance deHaven-Smith--removes the negative stigma associated with the term ‘conspiracy theory’ while facilitating a fresh look at patterns of elite criminality that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Episode Timeline & Notes

0:00:00 - Opening Segment

0:00:00 - The Not Conformed Salute!

• GraceLife supporters call on more churches to reopen as Pastor James remains in custody - Rebel News
• Religious freedom office replaced with new 'office of human rights' | CBC News
• (35) Edmonton pastor arrested for overcrowded sermons - YouTube
• Legal Advocacy in Canada | Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms
• Risking COVID to live a normal life: JCCF Lawyer James Kitchen - Rebel News
• Poland fights Big Tech with push to block social media censorship | Fox News
• Poland Proposes $13.5 Million Fines for Tech Giants Engaging in Ideological Censorship
• BOOM! Poland Will Fine Big Tech $13.5 Million Per Case For Removing Ideological Content: “Poland spent 45 years under Communism…It taught us the value of free speech”

0:00:00 - New Hypocrat Award

• WATCH: Conservative MP calls out 'feminist' Trudeau for not recognizing China's Uyghur genocide | The Post Millennial
• MPs pass motion declaring genocide against Uighurs in China, despite cabinet abstentions | CTV News
• Status / Gab Social
• Top Pension Fund Head Beat Canada’s Covid-19 Vaccine Queue by Getting a Shot in Middle East - WSJ
• CPP Investments CEO Mark Machin resigns after travelling to UAE for COVID-19 vaccine | The Star

0:00:00 - Definition of Conspiracy Theory

0:00:00 - A basic definition

• Coady, David. Conspiracy Theories: The Philosophical Debate.. Routledge, 2018.
• Sunstein, C. R., & Vermeule, A. (2009). Conspiracy Theories: Causes and Cures. Journal of Political Philosophy , 17 (2), 202–227. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9760.2008.00325.x

0:00:00 - Conspiracy theory as a derogatory concept

• deHaven-Smith, Lance. Conspiracy Theory in America. University of Texas Press, 2013, p. 6.

0:00:00 - Conspiracy theories defined by epistemic authorities

• Uscinski, J. E. (2020). Conspiracy Theories: a Primer. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 23-25.
• Epistemology - Wikipedia

0:00:00 - Conspiracies and Open and Closed Societies

• Sunstein, C. R., & Vermeule, A. (2009). Conspiracy Theories: Causes and Cures. Journal of Political Philosophy , 17 (2), 202–227. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9760.2008.00325.x
• State Crimes Against Democracy - Lance deHaven-Smith - YouTube

0:00:00 - How did it come into present day usage?

• State Crimes Against Democracy - Lance deHaven-Smith - YouTube
• deHaven-Smith, Lance. Conspiracy Theory in America. University of Texas Press, 2013, pp. 25, 199, 128, 129, 131.

0:00:00 - Conspiracies do occur and are common

0:00:00 - Examples of Verified Conspiracies

• President Truman is briefed on Manhattan Project - HISTORY
• Jacobson, A. (2014) Operation Paper Clip; reading guide p. 4
• Why the U.S. Government Brought Nazi Scientists to America After World War II | Smart News | Smithsonian Magazine
• Chilcot report: key points from the Iraq inquiry | UK news | The Guardian
• Snowden link here
• Joseph Uscinski: "Conspiracy Theories are for Losers" - YouTube
• deHaven-Smith, Lance. Conspiracy Theory in America. University of Texas Press, 2013, p.15-16.
• The Secret Bipartisan Campaign That Saved the 2020 Election | Time

0:00:00 - Main Point

• Pigden, C. (1995). Popper revisited, or what is wrong with conspiracy theories? Philosophy of Social Sciences , 25 (1)m p. 3-34.

0:00:00 - Lance deHaven-Smith and the SCADs Construct

• deHaven-Smith, Lance. Conspiracy Theory in America. University of Texas Press, 2013, pp. 11-12, 132ff.
• State Crimes Against Democracy - Lance deHaven-Smith - YouTube
• Lance deHaven-Smith: Salaliittoteoriakäsite Amerikassa - YouTube

0:00:00 - Need to follow the evidence

0:00:00 - A Note for Christians

0:00:00 - Summary and Closing

Extras

• Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Strategic Plan 2016 - 2021 - OBSSR-SP-2017-2021.pdf
• Covid-19: How Much Herd Immunity is Enough? - The New York Times
• Opinion | What Coronavirus Herd Immunity Really Means - The New York Times
• New report says coronavirus pandemic could last up to two years | TheHill
• CNBC Transcript: Dr. Anthony Fauci Speaks with CNBC's Meg Tirrell Live During the CNBC Healthy Returns Livestream Today

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MP3 Download Link:
Episode 27: Epistemic Establishment (.mp3)