Both an examination of the social cost of distrust and a celebration of critical thinking, a deep dive into the origins and development of four contemporary conspiracy theories.

Conspiracy theories have long shaped public debate, but how do they originate and why do they persist? Rejecting Reality traces the origins and evolution of four of the most influential conspiracy theories of recent decades: antivaccination movements, QAnon, UFOs, and claims surrounding COVID-19. Through concise historical case studies, the book shows how these ideas emerged, adapted, and spread, often drawing from questionable assumptions that governments and institutions are engaged in deception. Ronald H. Fritze examines the appeal of such narratives while assessing their credibility and consequences and how they promote skepticism, distrust, and division in general society. Clear-eyed and engaging, Rejecting Reality encourages readers to apply the same critical scrutiny to conspiracy theories that they apply to official claims, highlighting the importance of evidence in public life.