Books

BetterPod: Jonn Elledge on how to avoid falling for conspiracy theories

Jonn Elledge tells BetterPod about conspiracy theories

Between the anti-vaxxers, QAnon believers, and Donald Trump, we do seem to be living through a conspiracy theory peak. Jonn Elledge joins Laura Kelly and Katerina Sivitanides on BetterPod to unpick why people fall for seemingly ridiculous ideas – and how you can avoid being one of them.

Jonn Elledge is a journalist – and a Big Issue contributor – and along with his fellow author Tom Phillips, he has written Conspiracy: A History of Boll*cks Theories, and How Not to Fall for Them. It’s a funny and useful guide that uncovers the real life damage these ideas can do.

BetterPod is brought to you by The Big Issue’s Future Generations team. Through the Future Generations team, we offer a platform for exciting young journalists from underrepresented backgrounds to address the biggest issues facing us today.

This is episode 10 of BetterPod. Catch up with any episodes you’ve missed here.

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Weighted Down: The Complicated Life of Skip Spence review – sensitive portrait of a free spirit
Books

Weighted Down: The Complicated Life of Skip Spence review – sensitive portrait of a free spirit

Prospect Cottage: See inside artist Derek Jarman's seaside home for the first time
Photography

Prospect Cottage: See inside artist Derek Jarman's seaside home for the first time

Cocktails with George and Martha by Philip Gefter review – art imitating life in a war of egos  
Books

Cocktails with George and Martha by Philip Gefter review – art imitating life in a war of egos  

Top 5 books about the Troubles, chosen by bestselling author Henry Hemming 
Books

Top 5 books about the Troubles, chosen by bestselling author Henry Hemming 

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know