PHD's & Pints: Conspiracy Theories - How paranoid politics shaped history

This is not a dry academic talk. Expect storytelling, humor, surprising insights, and plenty of “wait… that’s actually true” moments. What happens when fear becomes more powerful than fact? Conspiracy theories may feel like a uniquely modern problem — fueled by social media, algorithms, and a 24-hour news cycle — but Americans have been suspicious of secret plots, hidden enemies, and powerful groups working behind the scenes for centuries. For the next PHDs & Pints, join U.S. history educator, writer, and storyteller Sari Beth Rosenberg for a fascinating look at the history of American paranoia — and what the past can teach us about the conspiracy theories shaping our world today. We'll explore questions like: • Why are conspiracy theories so compelling — even when the evidence doesn't support them? • Why do they become especially powerful during moments of fear and uncertainty? • How have politicians and movements used suspicion to gain influence? • What can history teach us about the conspiracy theories circulating today? • And how do we tell the difference between healthy skepticism and paranoia? Sari has spent more than two decades teaching U.S. and AP U.S. History in New York City and has built a career around connecting the history we learn in textbooks to what's happening around us right now. Her work as an educator, writer, and media commentator has appeared across PBS NewsHour, The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, TIME, Newsweek, Chalkbeat, and other national outlets. Expect surprising history, recognizable patterns, plenty to debate, and probably a few moments that make you think, wait... we've done this before? This isn't a history lecture. It's a conversation about why people believe what they believe — and what happens when those beliefs begin shaping politics, culture, and history. No academic background required. Just bring your curiosity and grab a drink. 📅 November 5 | 6:30 PM 📍 Sugar Mouse NYC — 47 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10003 🎟️ FREE RSVP 🍻 Drinks • Games • Live Discussion PHDs & Pints — Where academia meets nightlife. About PhDs & Pints Founded by professors, for professors and curious minds, PhDs & Pints is on a mission to bring academic expertise beyond the classroom and into everyday conversations. We believe that years of research, scholarship, and discovery deserve a bigger stage. In a world overflowing with opinions, we’re creating a space where genuine expertise takes center stage—where professors can share what they know, challenge conventional thinking, and connect directly with the public. No lectures halls. No academic jargon. Just brilliant minds, fascinating ideas, and great conversations over drinks. Real research. Real experts. Real conversations.