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

[Thestreets]

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".

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 is all the difference in the world between healthy scepticism and critical thinking and being a conspiracy nut.

YANBU

I think the assertion that there is an element of truth in conspiracy theories is spot on.
A global rich elite who want control..tick.
Celebrity paedophilia ( Epstein, Saville, Prince Andrew) ....tick.
Fear being used ti control....tick.
However, it all gets a bit wild when tjey are linked up. So yes....5g is being rolled put but is covid being used as a smokescreen to do this? Unlikely...and why?
I do have issues with enforced vaccinations though. I am pro vaccination...just not enforced vaccination.
It is clear that the rich control the poor but what can we do?

There have in fact been studies showing that mask wearing can be dangerous.

@redbushtea the people who are telling you these things are not on your side.
I can guarantee that the people who started this rumour are the ones that are wearing masks all the time and just want the number of cases to go up for their own selfish reasons.

Don’t believe things that could potentially harm you. If you’re unsure have a quick google and you will find experts who prove the facts that they deny, including how face masks are dangerous, reduce oxygen intake etc.

Actually its funny how many of these people tell me their theories arnt anti semitic because they dont actually know enough about the idiotic stuff they're spouting to know that 'Soros' and Rothscild' are obvious codes for jewish worldwide domination theories that have been around for centuries.

And theres the irony of those claiming they're brave truthseekers who would have stood up to the nazis- The Nazis sprang out of conspiracy theories about jews, the stab in the back myth-'cultural marxism' and elites etc. The conspiracy nuts would have gone right along with them.

This kind of thinking is frustrating and hard to deal with, so I’d be tempted not to engage unless you think she’s neglecting her child because of her obsession. I do dislike the conspiracy mask articles though, as the misinformation can do real damage. This link is worth looking at to see the foundation of Dr Blaylock’s “research”. sciencefeedback.co/claimreview/no-evidence-that-using-a-face-mask-helps-coronavirus-enter-the-brain-contrary-to-claim-by-russell-blaylock/

My friend has fallen deep into the conspiracy hole. It's been a couple of years now and getting worse. She has significant mental health issues too.

I have screen shorted a couple of posts here to learn as responses. Usually if she pushes me for answers or input I tell her that it makes me sad because I see this as a symptom of how ill she is.

I completely feel you OP. I’m thinking of ending my sessions with my personal trainer for the same reason. He talks endlessly about names corresponding to significant numbers, vaccinations, the illuminati. Bill Gates is another of his favourites. Any points brought up to refute what they believe is shot down as “brainwashing”

Old-school conspiracy theorists (e.g. Denver Airport, Moon Landing, JFK, Flat Earthers, Roswell, Princess Di etc.) used to be quite entertaining and charming and frequently had some interesting and theories and it made for lively party conversation. Some of it did make the ordinary person pause a bit. Then the next wave came in (9/11, Boston Bomber, Sandy Hook etc.) But now the big ones going round (Bill Gates, pizzagate, 5G, Covid, David Icke, Vaccinations etc.) seems to be bordering on obsessiveness for some people and has infiltrated so much into the mainstream. Ironically those who believe it the most seem to support the most “establishment” parties and news outlets of all.

Conspiracy theories used to be quite harmless but now it’s leading to doctors and scientists imploring people to be vaccinated, mass paranoia and hysteria. Then you think of things like the Holocaust where a big part of it was the German government successfully convincing so many people into believing anti-Semitic indoctrination conspiracy theories about Jews which planted a seed of paranoia in so many people - “Cultural Bolshevism” (marxism) it was called. You can even google the ad campaigns and slogans from Nazi Germany.

The mainstream media hasn’t helped at all. A lot of otherwise respectable outlets in order to be seen to come across as “balanced” and “impartial” will have someone on talking about birds and then another person on to talk about how birds don’t exist, just for the sake of “balance”. This means a lot of otherwise illegitimate points are given the same weight as scientific fact and the public then learn to see it that way.

@user1471565182

Actually its funny how many of these people tell me their theories arnt anti semitic because they dont actually know enough about the idiotic stuff they're spouting to know that 'Soros' and Rothscild' are obvious codes for jewish worldwide domination theories that have been around for centuries.

And theres the irony of those claiming they're brave truthseekers who would have stood up to the nazis- The Nazis sprang out of conspiracy theories about jews, the stab in the back myth-'cultural marxism' and elites etc. The conspiracy nuts would have gone right along with them.

Yes exactly. Another ploy to blame Jews for some bullshit or the other. They don’t understand their dog whistles are actually dog whistles because they’re uneducated about wider culture and history like you said. This is exactly how Germans and others were brainwashed decades ago. People today really don’t want to see themselves as being on the side of right wing fascists but that’s exactly what they are and who they’re aiding by spreading this stuff and thereby destabilizing democracies.

Wouldn't it be great if the large number of conspiracy theorists actually put their time, passion and energy into productive action - volunteering or environmental activism for instance. I do however sympathise with their concerns around 5G. I really, really would prefer not to but I just can't help being hugely fearful around this and the effects it could have on young, developing brains. Two of my children have recently started having daily, debilitating headaches. Any causes have so far been medically ruled out so this is further exacerbating my concerns. I'm not in UK but Australia where it has recently started to be up and running. I believe this process has been slowed down in Britain by the Huawei roll out being halted. Am I a conspiracy theorist or a sane, concerned Mum?!

Sorry but the weed smoking is a red flag for me - can cause ongoing paranoia and psychotic episodes, had so many similar problems with both conspiracy theories and paranoid episodes due to weed smoking with my DB - and this goes back years.

Feel for you op, this happened with my ex husband and it was exhausting.

I believe with the other poster who said it’s underlying mental illness/issues.

Think with my ex husband it was a fear/anxiety and depression and feeling overwhelmed by life and that he couldn’t cope with it.

In some ways he had the last laugh because this was before covid and he stockpiled food + made financial investments in save havens. He’s now having the last laugh Since covid. Actually a very intelligent but went down quite a few rabbit holes.

I think covid is making people fearful and they use these theories to cope.

Imagine that being a single Mum, like me, she probably feels really fearful and vulnerable during Covid. There are so many ‘what if’s’ when you’re alone with a child.

May help to suggest GP and don’t give up on her. Retreat and don’t do in person catch-up is she looping out a bit but check up on her every morning at the same time. Stuff that makes her feel safe and secure.

Even people you wouldn’t expect to are getting sucked in to conspiracy theory world. On minute they’re reading the DM, next they’re saying they don’t trust MSM and then they’re away with the fairies.

@speakout

You have my symathies OP.

I have lost my sister and mother to religion, both "born again".
I have cut off all contact with my sister, she is so overtaken by her views that it is impossible to have a normal conversation with her.

I have a family member involved in an evangelical church and think that far too little attention is paid to some of the practices going on there. These churches look lovely, with the shiny happy people and the soft-rock music, but there is another side to their operation.

Just as one example, the annual report of the national organisation freely describes 'youth work' that involves young people converting or receiving the spirit for the first time at large public events. So perhaps subject to peer pressure or the overexcitement of a mass gathering? It actually reports the numbers of conversions at these youth events as a success measure . Or church 'mentors' being involved in secondary schools. Or holding churches in secondary school halls and encouraging young people to come along on Sunday. All this is proudly described in the annual report!

Bearing in mind that this is a right-wing version of Christianity that encourages tithing a proportion of income, no sex before marriage, no homosexuality and not forming partnerships outside the church.

Everyday Life is Mundane and people should be free to choose a religion to inspire them, but I think that active evangelism towards children and young people is ethically dubious.

@speakout
Send me a message if you would like to talk about this.

Redbushtea,

are you the OP's DSIS?

PMSL at 'an N95 mask can reduce blood oxygenation by as much as 20%'.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20420727/

@redbushtea, citations please.

Post proper links to these 'studies' or shut up.

We aren't being told to wear PPE, where the mask protects the wearer.

We are being asked to wear masks which prevent the spread of saliva and mucus as we breathe and speak.

The former neurosurgeon, Dr Russell Blaylock has been retired for nearly 20 years and is not an expert in virology, epidemiology, biochemistry respiratory medicine or dietetics

www.burtonsys.com/blaylock_bio.html

Stop peddling this shit.

asking a conspiracy theorist for citations is an exercise in futility.

@redbushtea are you against wearing face masks?

I clicked on a couple of links you’ve just posted and they basically say you should wear them. One has done studies on the type of masks and which is more effective and another one I clicked on said the results found that wearing masks alone is not enough to stop the virus.

Lots of sympathy OP, my sister is the same. She doesn't use any drugs though but it's been getting worse for the last 5 years. I try very hard to find things to connect with her about but covid has made it nigh on impossible. She believes all the QAnon stuff and loads of other stuff about aliens and spirits. She just can't talk about anything else. My adult nieces feel like they're being tortured by living with her.
I totally agree with pps about the need to feel clever and in control during uncertain times, especially if you've always felt inferior.
I don't know how it's going to end. She is unbearable and I'm having to have a rest from her even though I feel guilty about it because she is low and frightened. She just won't ask for help from us any more because she's had to convince herself that she's right and we're not.
It breaks my heart because I want my sister back. I miss her.

Two of the links refer to Russell Blaylock who retired from brain surgery nearly twenty years ago.

He is not a virologist, epidemiologist, microbiologist, respiratory specialist or biochemist.

He has not retrained from brain surgery and has produced scientifically unsound books which can easily be debunked with a quick Google search.

The study showed that cloth masks offered no protection to the wearer compared to PPE.

Well, no shit, Sherlock.

THE CLOTH MASKS WE ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO WEAR ARE NOT MEANT TO PROTECT US

THEY ARE MEANT TO PROTECT THOSE NEAR US

Healthcare workers use more than one type of face mask/shield, both to prevent infecting their patients and to reduce the risk of becoming infected themselves.

There really is no point in trying to use logical reasoning with somebody like @redbushtea as the only saying goes you can't argue with stupid

@WarmHeyerette I'm sorry you're going through this as well. Sounds like there is a long road ahead

You need to listen to the majority of experts. Just because someone is a doctor doesn’t mean they are automatically right.

There was a doctor who said that the measles vaccine gave you autism and another said the polio vaccine gave you HIV, both were completely false but people believed them.
And people on the internet lie so most aren’t doctors anyway or they’ve been struck off.

If 100 hair dressers tell you not to use a certain shampoo because it will make your hair fall out and then one says no they’re wrong it doesn’t make your hair fall out.
Who are you going to trust?
It doesn’t make you a sheep/nazi believing in the majority it just means you have common sense.