To not take seriously anyone who uses the word 'sheeple'?

[BinkyBoinky]

Usually uttered by people who think they're "independent-minded free thinkers", but in reality they're just regurgitating whatever (usually right-wing) crap they've read on the internet and think they're more intelligent than everyone else. AIBU?

(To those who posted in my other thread I've had it taken down)

I've never heard. Perhaps reassess your friends.

I'm not sure about right wing, but resorting to personal insults like sheeple generally means there isn't anything more substantial to say.

Thankfully I don't know anyone in real life who has used that term.

I've only seen it on Facebook posts and thankfully I can exercise my right to scroll straight past without reading any more.

Yes it very annoying.

But I've always found people who use this word are usually left wing, Jeremy corbyn supporter types.

Sheeple' is one of those words that tells you the user has no substantive argument. There are others: anything ending in 'ists', for a start. 'Leftists' being the most obvious one.

I agree, can't stand the word. I have only ever seen it used by people who believe themselves to be intellectually superior to the people they describe. Generally, though, they simply lack the imagination to visualise any situation alien to their own.

They are also usually the people who know 'Truth', which is apparently staring us in the face but we're too thick to understand.

I have only ever seen it used in a home ed context, I hate it.

As a general rule I've observed that anyone who calls themself an "independent-minded free thinker" or follower of the "alternative media" who scoffs at "sheeple" is invariably actually a person of limited intellect who reads conspiracy theory feeds and then congratulates themself for not following the "mainstream media".

They're usually too thick to grasp the fact that just because it isn't the Daily Mail doesn't mean its automatically right.

Yeah I agree! I can’t stand staycation, webinar and advertorial!

Usually it's followed by "wake up" and "educate yourself"

It’s generally used by people who are not very intelligent, who don’t understand science or how to interpret data, and therefore resort to conspiracy theories and meaningless phrases like “sheeple” to compensate for their intellectual deficiency.

@Hangingover

Usually it's followed by "wake up" and "educate yourself"

And "wokerati". Bleurgggh!

I had 2 people on Facebook who used the word 'sheeple'. All of their evidence that 5g was something to do with coronavirus (and also that coronavirus wasn't real, although it was caused by 5g ) was youtube links of shouty people.

I quietly defriended, only to have one message me that I clearly don't love my kids if I didnt sign a petition he linked to (that had next to no information on it). So I told him to fuck off and blocked them both.

Last heard one was being charged with harassment because they were literally stalking and harassing people wearing masks.

People who use that word are conspiracy theorists, and not very intelligent, although they do try to make on they have a much higher IQ than everyone else.

Sure you have.

@MyMessyHouse

I cannot stand it OP you are quite right! Normally selfish arseholes who dont want to have to think of anyone but themselves who use it too!

I think of ‘sheeple’ as the word local communists describe others as on Facebook. So in my experience a left-wing conspiracy theorists word.

But yes, anyone who uses that word gets mentally downgraded. It’s like people who call George Osborne ‘Gideon’ or Jeremy Corbyn ‘cor-BIN’. It’s like, loser.

Thankfully I don’t know anyone who uses the term sheeple in real life, but I agree it’s wank.

As someone who is fairly central in my beliefs. I see this regularly from both extremes of the spectrum.
As I posted on your other thread, this word is used to discredit evidence. It's to create the idea that most people are ignorant and so, therefore, all evidence is tainted. Then, once they've removed your ability to provide evidence to discredit their assertion, they win on the basis of shouting louder and persisting longer.
As a number of people have rather comedically pointed out on the internet, the best way to deal with these people is to "out-conspiracy theory them". For example, they say "Covid-19 doesn't exist" and you should respond "no, it does, but it's not a virus. The government created it in a lab and it's spreading between people to track our thoughts. But it was too successful and now they're getting too much data and don't have space for it until the new computers arrive - that's why they want to slow it down". Or, if they say, "vaccines cause autism", you say "I know! And they WANT people to get autism too, it's not just covering up a side effect - it's a whole plot. They think that if more children have autism, then they can stop them getting a proper education and stop them becoming politicians. When we don't have enough politicians, then the government won't have any opposition". Basically, just say whatever random crap pops into your head to overwhelm them.

Never heard it but think it's quite funny.

I am quite sure I would fit the definition of it though

@personanongarter Do you class all left-wing conspiracy theorists as local communists? Where are they local to?

Certainly the people I’ve heard use this term are conspiracy theorists who all seem to agree with the same conspiracy theories - so quite ironic really. However they all do seem to have underlying vulnerabilities so I find myself feeling quite sympathetic towards them!

My 18 month old toddler loves the sheep in our field and is desperate - from what I can make out - to actually be a sheep. I think word is ok in this specific scenario. Otherwise Only used by internet know it alls.