The conspiracy mentality: its relationship with absurdity and ostracism
Conspiracy theories are generally perceived as irrational, absurd and as having a negative effect on our reputation. Yet some people do not see them as such. This may lead us to wonder why and how an individual would come to believe or support such statements. In this work, the primary goal is to obtain the level of absurdity of various conspiracy theories so that they can be used in experiments designed to test Williams' “Strategic Absurdity Hypothesis”. In addition, this study attempts to demonstrate the link between conspiracy mentality and feelings of ostracism. In this research, I analyzed a group of 47 participants recruited via social networks in May 2023. The survey collected their demographic information, their conspiracy mentality, their feeling of ostracism, their knowledge of conspiracy theories and their perception of absurdity toward them. The results were analyzed using correlations and linear regressions. The results show a negative correlation between conspiracy mentality and the perception of absurdity for most theories. In other words, the higher a participant's conspiracy mentality, the less absurd the theory is perceived to be. Therefore, hypothesis (I) is partially supported. On the other hand, hypothesis (II), which says that ostracism predicts conspiracy mentality, is not supported by the results. These results are in line with Williams' “Strategic Absurdity Hypothesis” and Sterelny's signaling theory, explaining that an individual, by expressing agreement with a conspiracy theory typically perceived as absurd, damages their reputation in the eyes of others to show that they belong to the group. However, for the theories relating to COVID-19 and climate change, the conspiracy mentality does not predict the vision of absurdity, suggesting that their currentness and media coverage influence whether they are used as signals. The literature does not fully agree with our results and still presents very divergent opinions regarding the links between feelings of ostracism and conspiracy mentality. Indeed, it remains difficult to determine whether conspiracy mentality influences ostracism or vice versa. In conclusion, this study provides new ideas for future research on the origins and impact of the conspiracy theories.
DIVE&CLEAN - Intervention Possible
The DIVE&CLEAN project is an educational and innovative initiative aimed at addressing a significant environmental challenge: marine pollution. With oceans covering over 70% of the Earth’s surface and providing a home to 50–80% of life on the planet, their health is critical. However, marine ecosystems are under threat due to plastic pollution, which impacts wildlife, coastal communities, and global biodiversity. This project centers around the idea of introducing underwater trash bins, especially in areas frequented by recreational divers. While most divers explore the seas without specific tools to collect trash, they could contribute significantly with the right infrastructure. The vision of DIVE&CLEAN is to inspire behavioral change, encourage collaboration, and promote actionable solutions to reduce ocean pollution. Using interactive robotics and storytelling, the project tells the story of divers rescuing animals entangled in plastic and collecting trash from the ocean floor using underwater bins. Through creative performances, it seeks to educate and motivate individuals, resorts, and authorities to adopt sustainable practices.
DIVE&CLEAN - Intervention Possible
The DIVE&CLEAN project is an educational and innovative initiative aimed at addressing a significant environmental challenge: marine pollution. With oceans covering over 70% of the Earth’s surface and providing a home to 50–80% of life on the planet, their health is critical. However, marine ecosystems are under threat due to plastic pollution, which impacts wildlife, coastal communities, and global biodiversity. This project centers around the idea of introducing underwater trash bins, especially in areas frequented by recreational divers. While most divers explore the seas without specific tools to collect trash, they could contribute significantly with the right infrastructure. The vision of DIVE&CLEAN is to inspire behavioral change, encourage collaboration, and promote actionable solutions to reduce ocean pollution. Using interactive robotics and storytelling, the project tells the story of divers rescuing animals entangled in plastic and collecting trash from the ocean floor using underwater bins. Through creative performances, it seeks to educate and motivate individuals, resorts, and authorities to adopt sustainable practices.
From Human Intelligence to Artificial Intelligence Chatbots: Modern Day Writing
The purpose of the project was to find out whether humans can tell the difference between human-generated text and artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots-generated text and to identify how Al-generated text differs from human-generated text. The dependent variable was the results given by the participants (whether the paragraphs were Al-generated texts or human-generated text). The Independent variable was the participants in the experiment and the controlled variable was the type of paragraphs (both the Al-generated texts and human-generated texts) and time used to test each participant. The hypothesis for this experiment was that the participants were not going to be able to differentiate between AI-generated text and human-generated text. In this descriptive and mixed-method study, participants were presented with questionnaires. Each participant needed to state whether they thought each paragraph was human-generated or AI-generated. At the end of the questionnaire, the participants were asked to briefly explain what assisted them in differentiating between the two. They were given 60 seconds to decide. A stopwatch was used to time them. A sample of 456 participants took part in this project. They were not told how many AI-generated passages and human-generated passages there were in the selection. They only knew the total number of passages. Over 99% of the participants could not correctly differentiate between AI-generated text and human-generated text in all passages. Only four participants were able to get 100% of the questions correct. All four learners attend schools located in urban areas. After I did my analysis, I discovered that my hypothesis was incorrect. Four of the participants were able to get 100% of the questions correct this indicates that not all the participants were not able to tell the difference between Al-generated text and human-generated text. This rejects my hypothesis. However, the chances of humans differentiating between the two are very low. All four learners attend schools located in urban areas; this indicates that it is easier for learners attending urban area schools to recognise AI-generated texts than learners attending schools located in rural areas.
SVMR: Smart Versatile Medication Robot
In 2565 B.E., 泰國's elderly, comprising 18.3% of the population at 12,116,199, faced health challenges, with diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, arthritis, and lung cancer prevalent. Caregiving hurdles arose as many family members worked outside, impacting the care of elderly individuals with these conditions. To address this, the "SVMR Medication Reminder and Care Robot for the Elderly" was developed. Known as the Smart Versatile Medication Robot (SVMR) or "New Robot," it serves as a user-friendly solution for home-based elderly care. Recognizing the adverse effects of missed medication on health, the SVMR system, combining hardware (New Robot) and software (Application), aimed to alleviate caregiving burdens. The New Robot's hardware includes a customizable medication reminder system, a video call system, closed-circuit camera system, doctor's recommendation display system, and an SOS system for emergency assistance. The Application complements this with features like medication schedule setting, video call communication, activity tracking, daily schedule management, and live camera monitoring. During the SVMR prototype trial, one unit was tested, with developers' relatives trying the medication dispensing system. Positive results emerged, showcasing improved medication adherence among the elderly and affording caregivers more time for other responsibilities. Satisfaction levels, as assessed through interviews, were notably high. Elderly feedback suggested the need for additional compartments for different medications and enhanced notification methods, particularly when they were not in proximity to the medication cabinet. In essence, the SVMR system provides a comprehensive solution to the challenges faced by households with elderly members, ensuring better disease management, increased medication adherence, and support for caregivers, all within a concise and user-friendly framework.