Against modernist illusions: why we need more democratic and constructivist alternatives to debunking conspiracy theories

Various societal and academic actors argue that conspiracy theories should be debunked by insisting on the truthfulness of real “facts” provided established epistemic institutions. But are scholars appropriate to correct people’s beliefs is right most productive thing do? Drawing years ethnographic research experiences in Dutch milieu, I explain this paper why debunking not possible (can actually know truth?), professional (is taking sides truth wars what we do?), (providing more “correct” information won’t work as knowledge acceptance just a cognitive/epistemic issue). Instead reinstalling modernist legitimation narrative science, for an alternative both epistemologically stronger sociologically effective. Building from experiments with democracy field science technology studies, propose have “deliberative citizen platforms”, instead elite experts groups alone, asses quality public information. Such societally representative bodies enjoy legitimacy diversity better deal broader conflicts over they represent.