This term has been bandied about here a lot. It's divisive and disparaging. So called conspiracy theorists are just people who have been exposed to the same information as the rest of the world and from that information have drawn different opinions and life paths from many others. Since we are all adults here let's be respectful of everyone even if our opinion differs and the choices we make because of it. A difference of opinion is just that. It's nothing to hate someone for. Thank you. Peace.
Conspiracy theorists?
- Thread starter chic
- Start date
Bella
ᕙ ᕗ ᕙ ᕗ ᕙ ᕗ ᕙ ᕗ
That's how it should be, chic, but in reality, that's not how it is. Even when presented with the same information, people will interpret it differently, however it best suits themselves. Every time someone opens their mouth, no matter what they say, they become a target. I'm sick of the infighting, the passive-aggressive attacks, and the outright attacks. I don't hate anyone, but more and more, I find it's best to just walk away and keep my opinions to myself.
Bella
Bella
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
I completely agree with you but unfortunately that old saying that the majority rules is true and since most people are followers, they follow that majority. Unfortunately it doesn’t leave much room for independent thinkers. Just keep in mind when it feels like the world is on your case, that years ago the world was considered flat.
SeniorBen
Senior Member
Conspiracy theorists generally rely on a different set of facts, which originate from unreliable sources. They'll find one professional who twists accurate information to fit their narrative (usually for financial gain) and posts it as fact for people unwilling or unable (due to cognitive shortcomings or laziness) to evaluate the information for themselves. Or they might just be unwilling to be exposed to information that doesn't fit their worldview, such as is the case with many viewers of a certain cable "news" show.
The professionals who spread misinformation are usually located outside of the U.S. for some reason. Perhaps they see the potential for raking in a lot of money by spreading conspiracy theories in the U.S. The careers of scientists in the U.S. who spread misinformation don't last very long.
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
I don’t know. I’m probably considered a conspiracy theorist when it comes to conventional medicine. I look at what’s behind the motivation of why things are done a certain way and the money trail that’s left behind.
There’s plenty of crooked people in high places that rule our world; the government, religion, teachers, big corporations who run monopolies like pharma plus. There are a lot of false facts that stay that way for the benefit of others and not necessarily for the general public. Lastly I think there’s BS everywhere in the world including the US.
There’s plenty of crooked people in high places that rule our world; the government, religion, teachers, big corporations who run monopolies like pharma plus. There are a lot of false facts that stay that way for the benefit of others and not necessarily for the general public. Lastly I think there’s BS everywhere in the world including the US.
I feel the same dear. And in the past three years I've watched so called conspiracy theorists proven right about so many things, vaccine passports, digital ids, cashless societies, climate crises, etc.
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
It doesn’t matter that you don’t follow the crowd. Sometimes it’s lonely but at least you get to be your authentic self. Don’t worry about backlash. Some of the biggest contributors to society were independent thinkers.
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
Which is only 1/ 2 the population.
An opinion is just a personal belief. If we don’t agree with someone’s else’s opinion that doesn’t necessarily make the opinion false.
When I hear "conspiracy theorists" I think of people who say the astronauts didn't walk on the moon, what we saw was just a movie. The holocaust never happened, the pictures we saw were staged. I don't call that taking the same information as the rest of us and interpreting it differently, but people who hope to refute reality in order to push their own agenda, often one of hatred.
Well said, Chic.
l
How do you define the difference between differing opinions and false opinions. The very nature of an opinion is that it is uniquely the individual's thoughts about a matter.
How do you define the difference between differing opinions and false opinions. The very nature of an opinion is that it is uniquely the individual's thoughts about a matter.
Alligatorob
SF VIP
I agree with much of what you say, particularly the "A difference of opinion is just that. It's nothing to hate someone for." part. I think it's our differences of opinions that make us interesting. I find you, @chic interesting for that reason. I hope you and others I don't agree with don't mind my probing questions, not meant as disrespect, just questions.
I looked the term up in Wikipedia and found this definition:
A conspiracy theory is an explanation for an event or situation that asserts the existence of a conspiracy by powerful and sinister groups, often political in motivation, when other explanations are more probable. The term generally has a negative connotation, implying that the appeal of a conspiracy theory is based in prejudice, emotional conviction, or insufficient evidence. A conspiracy theory is distinct from a conspiracy; it refers to a hypothesized conspiracy with specific characteristics, including but not limited to opposition to the mainstream consensus among those who are qualified to evaluate its accuracy, such as scientists or historians.
Conspiracy theories are generally designed to resist falsification and are reinforced by circular reasoning: both evidence against the conspiracy and absence of evidence for it are misinterpreted as evidence of its truth, whereby the conspiracy becomes a matter of faith rather than something that can be proven or disproven. Studies have linked belief in conspiracy theories to distrust of authority and political cynicism. Some researchers suggest that conspiracist ideation—belief in conspiracy theories—may be psychologically harmful or pathological, and that it is correlated with lower analytical thinking, low intelligence, psychological projection, paranoia, and Machiavellianism. Psychologists usually attribute belief in conspiracy theories to a number of psychopathological conditions such as paranoia, schizotypy, narcissism, and insecure attachment, or to a form of cognitive bias called "illusory pattern perception". However, a 2020 review article found that most cognitive scientists view conspiracy theorizing as typically nonpathological, given that unfounded belief in conspiracy is common across cultures both historical and contemporary, and may arise from innate human tendencies towards gossip, group cohesion, and religion.
I think that's a bit less positive than your definition.
Nosy Bee-54
Senior Member
Conspiracy theorists like this doctor said that hydroxychloroquine cures COVID-19. There was never a cure. Ridiculous!
"Nobody needs to get sick. This virus has a cure - it is called hydroxychloroquine, I have treated over 350 patients and not had one death," said Dr Immanuel.
Despite some early studies raising hopes that the drug could be used to cure coronavirus, one subsequent larger scale trial has shown it is not effective as a treatment."
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53579773
"Nobody needs to get sick. This virus has a cure - it is called hydroxychloroquine, I have treated over 350 patients and not had one death," said Dr Immanuel.
Despite some early studies raising hopes that the drug could be used to cure coronavirus, one subsequent larger scale trial has shown it is not effective as a treatment."
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53579773
SeniorBen
Senior Member
Everybody needs a hobby.
Covid conspiracy theories and gun rights are two topics that bring out certain SF members. They're pretty quiet otherwise, but when a thread gets going about one of those topics, watch out.
Alligatorob
SF VIP
Absolutely, you never have to read a thread or anyone's post.
Maybe, but we (the world) have invested a lot of time, money, and resources into the Covid thing, I think we should probably keep the lessons learned discussions going.
Alligatorob
SF VIP
That's the fun of it!
Actually all the arguments and positions I've seen here are pretty commonly held opinions. Being able to discuss them here has helped me better understand where people are coming from. No matter how right or wrong I think they are understanding helps.
Its often easier for me to ask questions of folks here than face to face with friends and relatives. And doing it in writing usually requires more thought on the part of all than verbal discussion. I think my recent exchange with @Murrmurr is a good example.
Last edited:
Alligatorob
SF VIP
I would hope that no one here believes in such a conspiracy theory. I've never seen @chic express that opinion.
I have to say my father said things along those lines about Jews controlling the banks and the like. He married a Jew (long after divorcing my mother) and even did it in a Jewish ceremony so his antisemitism was complex to say the best. First and only time I wore a yamaka, He also believed the Catholic Church conspired against the Jews, not just in WWII but still. I always though it crazy, but found him hard to argue with. My stepmother just seemed to ignore it.
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
Why is it that some members can be antagonistic with certain topics but others can’t? Isn’t that called favouritism or just plain unfair?
Is it really ok to punish some members for their unwanted opinion and not others?
Who gets to decide what topics are stupid?
Aren’t topics deemed as stupid just topics that we don’t necessarily agree with?
For those who aren’t religious, does that make all religion stupid and the people believing in religion stupid also?
Some antagonistic members are almost worshipped here while others seem to get nailed to the cross for every controversial thing they express.
Maybe it all depends how many followers you have or how popular you are , similar to high school.
Is it really ok to punish some members for their unwanted opinion and not others?
Who gets to decide what topics are stupid?
Aren’t topics deemed as stupid just topics that we don’t necessarily agree with?
For those who aren’t religious, does that make all religion stupid and the people believing in religion stupid also?
Some antagonistic members are almost worshipped here while others seem to get nailed to the cross for every controversial thing they express.
Maybe it all depends how many followers you have or how popular you are , similar to high school.
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
Are you aware that this is outrageously offensive?
Judycat
Well-known Member
- Location
- Pennsylvania
How about the old saw, "when you point your finger at someone, there are three more pointing back at you."
perChance
Member
The Onion is far better at satire IMHO.
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
There are many respectable, intelligent people who didn’t get vaccinated for reasons of their own. We might not agree with it but they are entitled to their decision. Vaccines weren’t mandatory , meaning we had the choice to opt out and many did.
To date, there are many people I know personally who didn’t get vaccinated and doing very well. Some of my extended family are in that group.
Covid was horrible for all concerned. Not only were people dying , it caused a huge rift between family members, friends and associates. The world was truly divided and still is.
For whatever reasons people believe what they do, we will never know. According to statistics, mental health issues have risen to an all time high. Even the statistics for gun ownership has skyrocketed since the pandemic. Clearly ‘fear’ has devastating effects on our psyche and fear of this virus affected people of ALL ages.
Shouldn’t we keep this in mind when on a site discussing controversial topics? Shouldn’t we expect opinions that are way off track from the general population? We don’t know their personal background and why they think like they do but labelling them in derogatory terms isn’t helpful.
We can’t just shut down people whose opinions we disagree with. If they already feel ostracized, shaming them isn’t going to change their mind. It just divides and segregates us as members here sharing a forum to discuss topics and opinions.
To date, there are many people I know personally who didn’t get vaccinated and doing very well. Some of my extended family are in that group.
Covid was horrible for all concerned. Not only were people dying , it caused a huge rift between family members, friends and associates. The world was truly divided and still is.
For whatever reasons people believe what they do, we will never know. According to statistics, mental health issues have risen to an all time high. Even the statistics for gun ownership has skyrocketed since the pandemic. Clearly ‘fear’ has devastating effects on our psyche and fear of this virus affected people of ALL ages.
Shouldn’t we keep this in mind when on a site discussing controversial topics? Shouldn’t we expect opinions that are way off track from the general population? We don’t know their personal background and why they think like they do but labelling them in derogatory terms isn’t helpful.
We can’t just shut down people whose opinions we disagree with. If they already feel ostracized, shaming them isn’t going to change their mind. It just divides and segregates us as members here sharing a forum to discuss topics and opinions.