Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

Danarchist wrote

Conspiracy theory culture is at its core rooted in being skeptical but not critical. Skepticism is an important part of leftist thinking since you need it to question the existing paradigm, so that part is useful, but without critical thinking folks like this will believe anything.

I suppose what I'm getting at is we shouldn't remove it (unless they're posting reactionary views), but we shouldn't encourage it either. Encourage them to critically analyze where they're getting their info from instead.

8

sudo wrote

This will only work if you can catch them early. Once they've gone into the "deep end" of conspiracy theories, they'll call anyone who argues against them a government shill, or something to that effect, which will only be further proof (in their mind) of the conspiracy. It's a vicious cycle. If you think they have not gone past the point of no return, then go ahead and engage with them. Otherwise, save your breath.

And I don't think we should leave it up, either. Not everyone has the critical thinking skills necessary to check sources, spot logical fallacies, etc. So, if one of these people is exposed to a conspiracy theory, they might fall for it, and become a conspiracy theorist themselves. I think it would be irresponsible of us to allow that to happen.

4

Danarchist wrote

Fair point. I'm not sure in an online forum it's worth leaving that stuff up. It seems the kind of thing that would be hard to get some one out of if you aren't close with the person.

3

ThisGuyIsAProblem wrote

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Einstein
Conspiracy theories are no different than scientific theories. They both are used to explain observed phenomena, and are created to attract attention to the phenomena so that the phenomena will be studied.
Hate towards conspiracy theories is no different than hate towards heretics. Early religions often slaughtered, killed, and maimed to contrary theories of how the world functioned. Human nature doesn't change, so while conspiracy theory culture is meant to raise awareness of problems, be careful who's awareness you bring it to.

2

asg101 wrote

Kinda surprised to see this CIA invented derogatory and dismissive terminology used in a forum that should be encouraging resistance against such crap.

"Conspiracy Theorist" was created to discredit those that don't buy the "official narrative", and you are playing right along by perpetuating the slur.

−1

ziq OP wrote

While I agree the word is derogatory when used by the state to scoff at anyone questioning their narrative, you can say the same thing about the word 'anarchy' which is also used by the state as an insult. And since there is no better umbrella term to describe false flag attacks, gov assassinations, corporations giving peoole cancer, etc, conspiracy will do.

1