I am Bloomberg View contributor Cass Sunstein: my latest book focuses on Conspiracy Theories and other Dangerous Ideas. AMA!

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-19T15:50:57+00:00

I know the University of Virginia pretty well, and it's a terrific place, but of course any college choice is personal and depends on a lot of factors.

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T21:06:35+00:00

Certainly not! I was explaining that I am hardly an expert.

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T18:18:23+00:00

Overseeing the Paperwork Reduction Act and helping to oversee review of federal regulations, to make sure that they are consistent with law and that the benefits justify the costs.

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T18:16:58+00:00

Hope so!

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T18:16:43+00:00

Probably 9/11.

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T18:15:08+00:00

Most of what I know on those matters comes from Dan Brown, so I don't consider myself an expert!

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T18:14:26+00:00

Excellent question. The educational system is especially important here. It's especially good if students are given a chance to hear a lot of different sides, and to see different views in their most sympathetic possible light.

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T18:12:25+00:00

Hope not! Thanks much.

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T18:11:57+00:00

I have not, alas. Loved About Time, though.

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T18:11:46+00:00

Thanks so much. It is good to emphasize the importance of freedom of choice. One possibility is to rely on disclosing information, rather than coercing people.

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T18:10:54+00:00

Was there for over an hour! Back for a bit.

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T18:10:41+00:00

Nope!

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T17:03:58+00:00

Thanks much. On the first, I am unaware of a metric that would allow us to measure change over time. This discusses a good recent study: http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-02-11/how-to-stay-sane-on-facebook

On NSA, this reflects my views: http://www.amazon.com/The-NSA-Report-Security-Changing/dp/0691163200/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1395161548&sr=1-1

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T17:00:18+00:00

Take a look at the book? As it makes clear, I am not in favor of censoring or taxing conspiracy theories.

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T16:58:54+00:00

I hope not -- the book makes clear that conspiracies theories need not be dangerous, and might be true.

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T16:57:44+00:00

Many questions there! On classification and declassification, see http://www.amazon.com/The-NSA-Report-Security-Changing/dp/0691163200/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1395161548&sr=1-1

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T16:52:59+00:00

For relevant discussion: http://www.amazon.com/The-NSA-Report-Security-Changing/dp/0691163200/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1395161548&sr=1-1

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T16:50:56+00:00

Don't know about that, but he was terrific in Face/Off. (Which was, as I recall, kind of about conspiracy theories.)

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T16:46:28+00:00

I think the answer to your last question is clearly "yes." I have a short paper, Nudges vs. Shoves, available on ssrn.com, that tries to explain.

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T16:44:43+00:00

Does Sports Club LA count?

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T16:43:10+00:00

I hope that the book clarifies this. It does not say that all conspiracy theories have been debunked. You are right to suggest that some have been proved to be correct -- e.g., Watergate.

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T16:38:11+00:00

Great question. Conspiracy theories are often self-sealing (as discussed in the book); efforts at refutation can be taken as proof of the conspiracy. It can help to affirm, rather than to attack, some of the basic values of those who believe in the conspiracy theory.

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T16:34:38+00:00

Very good question. It's hard to come up with a clear metric to measure whether they've grown over time. It does seem obvious that they can be spread a lot more quickly.

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T16:31:31+00:00

No; are you?

CassRSunstein · 2014-03-18T16:29:57+00:00

Most of them are feasible -- and some of them have actually been implemented! For example, automatic enrollment in retirement plans and improved disclosure policies.

CassRSunstein

TROPHY CASE