A single mom in Mississippi embraced multiple conspiracy theories until one day she questioned the validity of an acquaintance’s claim that the Earth is flat. Karen Robertson, 30, shared her journey out of belief in conspiracy theories with a student reporter from PBS Student Reporting Labs. She said a previous abusive relationship led her to these beliefs. “I was trying to make the world make sense, and it was easier to believe that it was a bad place and something was out to get you, and that’s why my life was where it was at and as bad as it was, than it was to realize I had made bad choices.” Robertson encouraged others to question conspiracy theories. “When I challenged my beliefs, it changed my world and it made my life better.” News Lit Quiz: Avoid the trap of conspiratorial thinking.