Escaping Conspiracy Theories is a toolkit designed to provide a set of resources, scripts, educational materials, and other items to help individuals navigate the shadowy and complicated world of online conspiracy theories. This project began as an attempt to understand the challenges with such relationships and provide some resources and tips from experts on ways to have difficult conversations about conspiracism. We curate a set of proven tactics and strategies for talking with conspiracy theorists while hopefully maintaining relationships.

The English word for “conspire” descends from the Latin conspīrāre which literally means “to breathe together” according to the Oxford English Dictionary. How did such a beautiful idea, of humans breathing together in harmony, transform into the current definition of nefarious plotting? And how did conspiracy theory become one of the preeminent challenges of our time?

This toolkit is an attempt to provide resources to help friends and family, who have fallen down the rabbit-hole of conspiracy theories, to conspīrāre, to return to some harmony. In the internet age, conspiracy theories have become increasingly dominant in our online–and offline– communities. It is not uncommon now to see entire families torn apart by one member’s insistence on conspiracy theorizing.

But we also recognize that many individuals who have been victimized by conspiracy theories may be seeking a way out. Much like an abusive or toxic relationship, conspiracy movements can alienate you from your family and friends, and we hope to provide a space to find yourself again, to recognize the dangers of excessive conspiracism.