The birds aren't real! At least, that's what a Gen Z-fueled conspiracy theory says. But this movement is different - everyone is in on the joke. Can parody & humor be effective ways to combat misinfo? I'll talk with @PoliPsyProf & @JoeUscinski at 9:25am on #DetroitToday @wdet
"It's a, in a sense, brilliant parody... so I find it interesting in the sense of the community that it creates," says Miller. #DetroitToday
"They are an online generation, the first fully online generation. They are very adept at social media and social media campaigns," says Miller, explaining why Gen Z is more likely to parody a conspiracy theory. #DetroitToday
"It goes back to why people believe conspiracy theories in the first place. When big, negative, scary events happen, they freak us out," says Miller, because "if we can explain them, we can better understand how to operate in the world." #DetroitToday
@SHDetroit @PoliPsyProf @JoeUscinski @wdet i feel like this conversation needs a quote from @EffinBirds. note the strong NSFW warning for some listeners. sarcasm on point.