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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask for your comebacks to a conspiracy theorist?

115 replies

BeigeisthenewOrange · 13/05/2018 21:31

I know someone who believes in lots of conspiracy theories. I see this person almost every day, and it's not easy to just ignore them. I'm crap at arguing/debating, so I tend to get panicky when they tell me all their beliefs and don't have any counter arguments. Or I try to but they come back with more 'proof'.

I don't believe everything is as it seems in the world, for example I think the government and the media are colluding possibly to gradually make the NHS look worse and worse so that we end up scrapping it and having only private healthcare. Plus things like the way the disabled are treated in this country. So am not totally 'the other way'. I stress though that these are only 'possibles' in my mind and I don't blindly believe that!

I'd like to be able to hold my own in our conversations, if anyone has any ideas I'd be grateful.

Some of her current beliefs:

  • There are only chem trails in the sky, put there by the government to poison us.
  • All vaccinations cause autism.
  • Autism never used to exist, the government want children to have it so they are easily controlled.
  • ISIS don't exist and every single terrorist attack is performed by actors.
  • Any medication we take is because the 'Big Pharma' want us all hooked on everything, the GPs get back handers and want us on as much meds as possible. Every single medication is making us more ill which they want.
  • The entire Royal Family are corrupt in the most awful ways. I won't go into details.
  • Everything David Icke says is gospel.

These are just a few. If you're wondering why I care or can't just walk away it's because I do like this woman and we do have a real laugh a lot of the time, sometimes though I get frustrated by her extreme beliefs, especially when she brings my health into it and says my GP wants to poison me. I'd like to be able to discredit some of this in a clever way.

OP posts:
CFTrollsSmell · 13/05/2018 22:23

Ok, if you work with her then you can’t avoud her completely but you can still refuse to discuss this type of rubbish with her and stop watching their YouTube videos that she is showing you. You are encouraging her.

NotAnotherNoughtiesTune · 13/05/2018 22:25

If you say so.

Or if that's what you think.

Leave it at that.

Original poster
BeigeisthenewOrange · 13/05/2018 22:25

Yes the autism argument upsets me a bit too, I've given up with that one now though.

counterpane I didn't know that about the Flat Earth society, wow that's interesting! I'll have a look.

icedtea that has made me laugh, the thought of her doing a youtube channel about all this Grin I'm going to suggest it!

OP posts:
Mousefunky · 13/05/2018 22:27

I love my best friend, we have known each other our whole lives and he is great in many ways but he is also a conspiracy theory nut and I also never know what to say. Well, I used to aimlessly argue against his ‘theories’ by stating that they are insane theories backed up by absolutely no evidence whatsoever but he seriously believes absolutely everything is a conspiracy and I’m a sheep for believing it so I gave up. Now I just do a sigh, eye roll and sympathetic head tilt when he goes off on one.

He’s a flat earther.
He thinks Michelle Obama is a man called Michael and Joan Rivers was about to expose them so they had her killed.
The Royals only live so long because they suck blood from young children
And yes, he also believes in lizard people.
The worst thing is, he believes in the anti-Semitic BS out there too such as the world being run by a set of Zionist’s who control every government.
Oh and in case you didn’t know, South America, Africa and Asia are only at the bottom of the map because those pesky zionists want us all to degrade them further Hmm.

I just think he’s insane.

Ohyesiam · 13/05/2018 22:27

Sorry, just st read that you do work with her.
Most CT s that I’ve ever met are really thick skinned( to the truth amongst other things), so you could try bulldozing over her, but I bet there is nothing you need to say as much as she needs to say her stuff. They have so much energy for it.

Could you wear headphones? Listen to podcasts?

GummyGoddess · 13/05/2018 22:28

Has she met anybody with autism? I think you'll find that a lot of us are incredibly stubborn and therefore more difficult to control Grin

Seriously you are wasting your time. Conspiracy theorists think that they are super smart/special for being able to see the 'truth'. Whatever you say will just push her further into believing them. The best way to shut them up is to smile and nod with a lot of 'hm, if you say so' noises and change the subject. Or in the case of family, tell them you won't discuss it.

Perhaps look up the psychology behind conspiracy theorists, it's really interesting.

raffle · 13/05/2018 22:30

The government wants children to have Autism to make them easier to control?

DS has Autism - even I find him impossible to ‘control’ at times.

Would love to see Theresa May try!

Wolfiefan · 13/05/2018 22:33

You work with her?
"I would prefer to keep our conversation relevant to work"
"This topic isn't relevant to work"
"That's offensive."
Report intrusive comments about medication you are on.
Draw some boundaries.

Guacamoledip · 13/05/2018 22:35

She can borrow DS if she wants, see how easy he is to control. I’m sure that will put an end to her sprouting nonsense.

biscuitraider · 13/05/2018 22:39

I know someone who thinks only transgendered people can get success in Hollywood, well anyone famous basically. The weirdest one is Abba, the two girls are really men and the two men are girls. Apparently if you look beyond the hair and makeup you see the male skull, lack of hips, large hands etc.

Original poster
BeigeisthenewOrange · 13/05/2018 22:41

Oh thanks for all these replies, it's actually really helping! Sorry I'm not replying to everyone, have taken them all in though.

4yoniD but mermaids are real aren't they?! ;) I do love mermaids.

Mousefunky your best friend sounds similar to my colleague, some of those theories you mentioned have jogged my memory and sound familiar, I'd forgotten about the reptiles and the Joan Rivers theory.

Also just remembered she said there is most definitely a cure for cancer and only the elite get access to it. I pointed out there's no blanket drug for cancer because it's too complex for that. She just laughs and shakes her head and says one day I'll understand and that I need to come off my meds to help my intelligence so I can understand all this Confused

True about autism, what's crazy is her son is autistic and she 100% blames his vaccines for this. You're right, if anything that would make people harder to control not easier!

OP posts:
IThinkIMadeYouUpInsideMyHead · 13/05/2018 22:42

I have one of those friends. She told me DS's autism wouldn't be so bad if I hadn't had him vaccinated Hmm Big pharma are keeping us sick to make a profit, all that nonsense.

Mostly, her beliefs are as harmless as someone else's belief in God. So while I don't subscribe to someone's religious faith, I respect it as long as it does me no harm. Her belief that a vaccine causes autism doesn't actually do any harm, because I know it's bollocks.

The thing is, she is an otherwise funny, loving, supportive friend, and we just agree to differ. I think she's slightly mad but I suspect she thinks the same about me. We tend to avoid the controversial subjects now anyway. I mean, how often can they come up? I have muted her on social media, and that helps...

Original poster
BeigeisthenewOrange · 13/05/2018 22:43

The weirdest one is Abba, the two girls are really men and the two men are girls. Apparently if you look beyond the hair and makeup you see the male skull, lack of hips, large hands etc.

Whaaat?! This is a crazy one!!! Lol. It's so batshit that I actually love it.

OP posts:
Guacamoledip · 13/05/2018 22:44

Even if you enter into the conspiracy world of vaccinations causing autism, on purpose to make people easier to control. What benefit would the government get from it? I’m sure it would cost a lot more for them with extra resources for children and in benefits if they can never work etc. Not even mentioning how hard it is to get a diagnosis. But I’m aware you want a way to get out of these conversations not enter yourself into a bigger debate so I’m useless, I’ll debate about anything with anyone

Melliegrantfirstlady · 13/05/2018 22:44

Conspiracy theorist?

Whaaat?

Your friend imo is delusional and paranoid. Nothing to do with conspiracy theories and more to do with her/his MH

ISIS are actors? WTH

Original poster
BeigeisthenewOrange · 13/05/2018 22:47

IthinkImadeyouup You sound very kind to your friend, I have to say I think she's a bit out of order saying that to you about your DS. It's one thing to think these things but I do think the person crosses a line when they say them out loud to others in a personal way.

I know what you mean though, it's hard when they have other lovely qualities and are likeable.

OP posts:
Original poster
BeigeisthenewOrange · 13/05/2018 22:49

Guacamole no no that's helpful, I will present that to her. I do want to be able to come back to her with something valid and they are all good points.

Melliegrant - Yes the ISIS thing is nuts, I really don't like when that's brought up.

OP posts:
BigPinkBall · 13/05/2018 22:55

The thing is with all of those conspiracy theories is that they all rely on hundreds, possibly thousands of people being in on the secrets and never letting on or whistle blowing which doesn’t seem very likely and journalists will do anything for a big story and to make a name for themselves so they’d have no interest in helping cover up any of those theories if they were true.

OvergroundWomblingFree · 13/05/2018 22:57

She's too far gone OP sorry Thanks

Just one or two of those would be workable but I don't think there's enough time in the universe left to evangelise her out now

Or tell her you believe in the law of attraction and creating your own reality so can't allow yourself to believe any of it Wink

Marioki · 13/05/2018 22:58

My brother is a conspiracy theorist too. I usually just say "Isn't it strange what some people believe" when he starts on one of his pet topics and leave it open to his interpretation whether I mean him or people who hold opposing viewpoints.

IThinkIMadeYouUpInsideMyHead · 13/05/2018 22:59

She said it so matter-of-factly, there was no implied judgement, just the assumption that I didn't know any better. There's never an intention to be hurtful, just a lack of filter, I think. As I'm pretty blunt myself, I appreciate it in her. And there's a great relief in knowing exactly what someone else thinks of you (because she tells you) and that she likes you anyway Grin

The ISIS thing your colleague thinks, though, could be really hurtful if a grieving family member heard it. Maybe if you picked the worst thing she says, and pointed out the harm done by her saying it, rather than that you know think she's wrong, would she pay more attention?

Birdsgottafly · 13/05/2018 23:00

I often tell people to wander around old graveyards, to see what life was life before pharmaceuticals. If they come back with crap about starving people, then i bring up the amount of babies/children Royalty lost, which was in line with everyone else.

I worked with a Woman who didn't believe in physical illness, it was all manifestation of our emotional state. In the end I had to blank her, she was so offensive.

rosylea · 13/05/2018 23:02

If ISIS are actors why are people dead? How do you know people are dead? Because the media tell you?Hmm

BusterGonad · 13/05/2018 23:08

If she's a friend you could actually listen to her and have some respect for her views, after all we all believe different things, who's to say who is right? We are told by the media the facts, it's up to us how we interpret them.

Katialoo · 13/05/2018 23:10

I was going to ask if she'd met an autistic child until I read your post saying her son has it! Easy to control? Wish my autistic dd had got that memo.