Ted Talks Daily – Birds aren’t real? How a conspiracy takes flight | Peter McIndoe

Intro

In this episode of “Ted Talks Daily,” Peter McIndoe, the public information officer of the “Birds Aren’t Real” movement, discusses the conspiracy theory that birds are actually surveillance drones created by the US government. He shares his experience in leading a fake movement and explores the reasons why people are drawn to conspiracy theories.

Main Takeaways

The Birds Aren’t Real Movement

• The US government allegedly murdered over 12 billion birds using poisonous toxins from 1969-2001.
• They replaced the birds with surveillance drone replicas to spy on the American people.
• The movement aims to deprogram the public from the “pro-bird” propaganda in society.

The Rise and Exposure of the Fake Movement

• Peter played the leader of a fake movement with fake evidence and a fake history to see if the media would believe it.
• The movement held rallies and protests to demand fairer coverage for birds and to shut down pigeons in New York City.
• It became nationally syndicated news that the fake movement was real after just one summer holding rallies.
• In 2021, Peter revealed the movement was a farce on the front page of the New York Times.

The Psychology Behind Conspiracy Theories

• Peter grew up in a hyper-conservative and religious community where he felt like he was on the fringes of normal society.
• He played the character of a conspiracy theorist convincingly for years, leading to hundreds of interactions with strangers who thought he was real.
• Conspiracy theorists are not just joining these groups for no reason; they’re getting rewards out of them, like a sense of purpose and community.
• Our approach to conspiracy theorists might not be bringing us any closer to living in a shared reality with our neighbors.
• By talking to conspiracy theorists like they are ignorant and stupid, we might be pushing them farther away from the truth we want them to see.
• Instead of arguing on the level of belief, we should look into what is fueling the need for an alternate truth and direct our energy toward the crisis of belonging, which might be the only productive means of moving toward the shared reality we all want to live in.

Summary

The Birds Aren’t Real Movement

Peter McIndoe discusses the “Birds Aren’t Real” movement, which claims that the US government killed billions of birds and replaced them with surveillance drones. The movement aims to challenge the “pro-bird” propaganda in society and deprogram the public from believing in the existence of real birds.

The Rise and Exposure of the Fake Movement

Peter shares his experience in leading a fake movement, providing fake evidence and a fake history to see if the media would believe it. The movement held rallies and protests demanding fairer coverage for birds and the shutdown of pigeons in New York City. Surprisingly, the fake movement gained national attention and was reported as real news. In 2021, Peter revealed the truth behind the movement on the front page of the New York Times.

The Psychology Behind Conspiracy Theories

Peter reflects on his upbringing in a hyper-conservative and religious community, which made him feel like an outsider. He convincingly played the character of a conspiracy theorist, leading to numerous interactions with strangers who believed he was genuine. He emphasizes that conspiracy theorists are not simply ignorant or stupid, but are driven by rewards such as a sense of purpose and community. Instead of dismissing them, we should address the underlying need for an alternate truth and focus on fostering a sense of belonging to bridge the gap between different realities.

Conclusion

Peter McIndoe’s exploration of the “Birds Aren’t Real” movement sheds light on the power of conspiracy theories and the importance of understanding the psychological factors that contribute to their appeal. By approaching conspiracy theorists with empathy and addressing their underlying needs, we can hope to create a more inclusive and shared reality.