«The public receptive to conspiracy theories has widened»

Le Regard Libre N° 76 - Max Moeschler

Over the past year, the coronavirus crisis, with all the questions, insecurities and frustrations it has brought, has given rise to a number of conspiracy theories, the scale of which has continued to grow. These simplistic and, in some cases, dangerous theories, as distinct from opinions critical of the management of the crisis or the doubt inherent in science itself, are well and truly present. How can we explain the success of conspiracism in the age of Covid-19? Back to basics with Laurent Cordonier, sociologist and specialist in this phenomenon.

Le Regard Libre: Although conspiracy theories have always been around, they seem to have taken on disproportionate proportions over the past year. Is this the case?

Laurent Cordonier: Above all, they are more visible because they are