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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU To feel like I'm losing my sister to conspiracy theories?

309 replies

Thestreets · 04/08/2020 13:24

My sister is a very intelligent, funny, interesting woman but recently , probably since lockdown she has been spending more and more time online and reading into conspiracy theories about the Hollywood elite and politicians and child sacrifices and all kinds of ludicrous claims.

This has utterly consumed her, you cannot have a conversation with the her that she does not turn to her trying to show some you tube video as "evidence". I'm so worried but do not know what to do as everything I say is met with "well that's what they want you to think".

OP posts:
TulipsTwoLips · 04/08/2020 16:31

My brother in law is like this. That's why I deleted him off my social media and spend very little time around him. It makes me laugh really, he is all talk but no action. If you ask him what he is going to do about insert latest conspiracy theory, he's not actually going to do anything, because they are too rich or too powerful. I don't count him sharing posts to the 10 people who follow him as real action! Personally I don't see much point in all of the over-thinking he does if it never leads to action.

I think the best thing you can do is try to keep doing practical things with her. Give her a chance to be present and not so in her head. Walking, cooking, cinema etc, it doesn't need to be anything huge.

redbushtea · 04/08/2020 16:32

@Buccanarab
Being entitled to an opinion isn't the same as your opinion being right, or even acceptable. Opinions that are demonstrably false or wrong need to be challenged whenever they're raised

That works both ways. There is plenty which is demonstrably false about the mainstream media coverage of the current corona virus drama. In Nazi Germany, if more people had challenged mainstream opinion instead of slavishly going along with it, many lives would have been saved.

OchonAgusOchonO · 04/08/2020 16:33

[quote WinnieLo]@OchonAgusOchonO the last minute of that documentary was classic![/quote]
Brilliant. Every conspiracy theorist who isn't a flat earther should watch it. It would be interesting to see their reactions.

Zaphodsotherhead · 04/08/2020 16:33

And I don't understand the anti-mask thing. Okay, it's one thing to not believe in Covid. But surely, wearing a mask isn't going to harm you, is it? It's not going to make you suffer (unless you have a pre existing condition). So why not wear one anyway? Just in case?

I think, by not wearing masks, they are trying to shout loud and proud that they are not falling for it and are somehow 'in the know'.

foxychox · 04/08/2020 16:35

Maybe instead of spending her time looking into conspiracy theories she could take some time to find out where the weed that is fuelling her paranoia is coming from? Might take her mind of 5G and all that.....

Original poster
Thestreets · 04/08/2020 16:35

@Zaphodsotherhead

And I don't understand the anti-mask thing. Okay, it's one thing to not believe in Covid. But surely, wearing a mask isn't going to harm you, is it? It's not going to make you suffer (unless you have a pre existing condition). So why not wear one anyway? Just in case?

I think, by not wearing masks, they are trying to shout loud and proud that they are not falling for it and are somehow 'in the know'.

Thats exactly what it is certainly in my sisters case
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Chickenkatsu · 04/08/2020 16:36

Weed + You Tube + Over Active Imagination = Disaster

Twatalert · 04/08/2020 16:42

@Thestreets

I agree *@ComplexPTSDmaybe* I'm all for everyone having their own opinion but where it comes to believing COVID does not exist and has been made up so the sheeple will conform that is where the line is drawn between harmless and harmful.

My dsis will not sanitise her hands or wear a mask even when she had to take her DD into hospital last week. She did not care that there could be vulnerable people in the hospital that she might infect as COVID does not exist. She lied and said that she had trauma preventing her from covering her face which is despicable.

So? I was in hospital myself this weekend and staff could not have cared less whether i sanitize or not. I indeed expected to be told to do so before entering, but nope... I did wear a mask on arrival. No idea what they would have done had I tried to enter without. The doctor I saw touched doors and then my face - without sanitising.

You have been given advice here. I'm not sure what else you would like to hear? It almost seems you'd like as many people as possible to come forward and say how stupid conspiracy theories are.

Sometimes in life things take a turn we do not like. Your sister isn't the person you'd like her to be at the moment. By all means, contact SS if you feel the child is not cared for properly, for example because she is stoned all the time and/or the child is breathing in the weed smell (i find it horrendous). Or because the house is dirty, the child is not cared for properly etc. But she can believe what she wants and all you can do is try to get to a place to accept that you cannot change it. You can adapt, perhaps reduce the contact to as much as you can manage for your own wellbeing. All you can and should do is to manage YOUR response.

But I guess this isn't what you'd like to hear. You'd rather bash anyone who can sympathize with your sister on some level.

Haffiana · 04/08/2020 16:51

Conspiracy Theories are just another religion.

It involves an unseen over-arching force that shapes the World, the special Chosen Ones that can see the Truth of this, a profound devotional Belief system, the Preaching of the Word and of course, the seeking for Converts.

Plus the belief that this is all sane and rational.

Cherrycee · 04/08/2020 16:51

I have a friend like this, it has taken over her life. She spammed me with videos about coronavirus being a hoax after watching me bury my dad who died from it. It is like a cult, and all sense of rationality and decency seems to go out the window.

TenCornMaidens · 04/08/2020 16:52

My father and I have EXTREMELY different views on many many things. The difference is that I am prepared to find areas of commonality in the interest of preserving our relationship. He isn't. Every conversation has to be turned to why x y z is so wrong / obviously right. It is awful. He knows we differ. He is prepared to risk our relationship over validating his views.

Entschuldigung · 04/08/2020 16:58

Same with my brother. He was sending me YouTube links etc. and got angry when I said I wouldn't be watching them. He says the pandemic is obvious bullshit.

What has really upset me is his total disregard for anyone else's opinions. Our mother is in her 80s and wanted to follow the government guidelines but he has kept going into her house, refusing to wash his hands etc. even though he works in a supermarket. Mum has allowed him in because she is frightened of him and also because she's worried about his mental health and doesn't want him to feel cut off.

He could have been so helpful to her, bringing her shopping and leaving it outside her door but he hasn't helped her once., he's only caused her a load of worry.

Apparently he also believes the Earth is flat and that Paul McCartney died in a car crash in the 60s and was replaced by an imposter. I had no idea he was into any conspiracy theories before lockdown, it's brought it all out. He says he predicted last year that all of this would be happening.

He's a Class A drug user.

BertieBotts · 04/08/2020 16:59

YANBU. My dad is into this stuff, hasn't quite got to the point of taking over every convo. What's more tiresome is my mum is into the "spiritual" branch of similar nuttiness and that really does take over every convo. Everything is universal energy this and new order that and random words get Capitalised because they're Important and it's just sad because I can't relate to any of it.

They are not even married! They are divorced! I told my stepmum and she reckons we need to get them back together :o

oakleaffy · 04/08/2020 17:03

Conspiracy theorists are like sheep, and there are some downright barmy Conspiracies out there, like the Queen is a shape shifting lizard, and Hollywood stars hunt naked girls like a fox hunt on a private island.

Anyone can make a you tube conspiracy video, Corona is all about control blah blah blah which would mean all the hospitals in the world nursing the Covid sufferers would be faking it too.

After every atrocity there are videos claiming that Bataclan atrocity was all crisis actors, ditto 9/11 and it is not a sign of critical thinking to believe this nonsense.

TheSandman · 04/08/2020 17:05

I think, by not wearing masks, they are trying to shout loud and proud that they are not falling for it and are somehow 'in the know'.

While (possibly) banging on about surveillance culture and intrusive monitoring as THEY try to control every part of 'our' daily lives. The ability of these people to simultaneously hold two mutually contradictory ideas always amazes me.

SirGawain · 04/08/2020 17:07

@Devlesko

She's not entirely wrong is she? Do you believe what the media tell you to believe or do you have a mind of your own.
There's a big difference between healthy scepticism and being sucked in by unlikley conspiricy theories!
Thislittlelady · 04/08/2020 17:13

Would she call the Samaritans or something? Or maybe you could to get some help? Sorry I’ve no experience of this situation. But it does sound like maybe she’s struggling and has used this as a way to project. Good luck 💐

Original poster
Thestreets · 04/08/2020 17:17

@Cherrycee I'm so sorry for your loss

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oakleaffy · 04/08/2020 17:18

Weed can certainly rattle loose a screw or two in this regard.
An otherwise sensible chap I know said he tried some weed,- he was on holiday where it is plentiful and legal- and it gave him a real sense of paranoia .. and HE mentioned conspiracy theories, Covid being a ruse to stop cash.

AuntMasha · 04/08/2020 17:18

Our own dear government can’t even organise the release of a simple app without effing the whole thing up, let alone manage the intricacies of being part of a cabal of devil-worshipping puppet-masters.

Original poster
Thestreets · 04/08/2020 17:20

@AuntMasha

Our own dear government can’t even organise the release of a simple app without effing the whole thing up, let alone manage the intricacies of being part of a cabal of devil-worshipping puppet-masters.
Grin maybe I should use this tact!
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annabel85 · 04/08/2020 17:20

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Miljea · 04/08/2020 17:22

"All the claims of Russia meddling in western elections are a conspiracy theory." Hmm

A country very much with the means and very much with a motivation.

Do you know how many oligarchs are funding the Tory party?

That's not a 'conspiracy theory'. That's a theory with very strong links to The Truth.

BilboBercow · 04/08/2020 17:24

There are various places online where conspiracy theories are discussed, including Reddit.

When it comes to the "global elite controlling the world" theory and you actually push them about who "they" are, it always comes back to one group. It's just an antisemitic trope.

annabel85 · 04/08/2020 17:26

@Miljea

"All the claims of Russia meddling in western elections are a conspiracy theory." Hmm

A country very much with the means and very much with a motivation.

Do you know how many oligarchs are funding the Tory party?

That's not a 'conspiracy theory'. That's a theory with very strong links to The Truth.

The problem with conspiracy theories is there's usually some truth to them (there has to be to get people to believe them) but then they get all outlandish and insane.

It actually benefits the powers that be because they can shout down these cranks as nutters and ridicule them and thus anyone who espouses any of the views get lumbered in with the CT cranks. Conspiracy theories are an effective form of controlled opposition.