to be utterly shocked and heartbroken at how many intelligent, lovely friends and acquaintances have totally bought in to the radical global conspiracy theories...

[fuschia2000]

Seeing so much conspiracy stuff on Facebook threads, its totally alarming.... the folks can really make a good argument, with pseudo science, lots of data etc but we are looking at radical q'anon right wing conspiracy theories breaking through into the normal discussion groups and online groups.....

I don’t know anyone who has (as far as I know...) but yeah, I would be totally horrified if they had. It’s all very mediaeval right now -

Yep, had to unfollow a lot of people on twitter who l always considered sane but the minute they started with the anti-vaxxer insanity, it was over and out.

@doublehalo what do you mean it works both ways? Did you know that your Google search results are customised to your click preferences, and not on what is factual? I didn't.
Google doesn't prefer truth, it prefers clicks. 'truth is boring'

[quote HukkaPukka]@doublehalo what do you mean it works both ways? Did you know that your Google search results are customised to your click preferences, and not on what is factual? I didn't.
Google doesn't prefer truth, it prefers clicks. 'truth is boring'[/quote]
Sorry I wasn't clear. Yes, I do know about the algorithms and agree that google etc skew search results based on god knows what info they have accumulated on us. Facebook is far worse for the echo chamber effect.

This is happening to everyone and not just 'conspiracy theorists.

It's school mums on my social media, they've utilised their 3 GCSE's, conducted research (mostly via YouTube videos of Katie Hopkins and a daytime tv random) and decided they are making an informed decision to say fuckit to restrictions.

Then encouraging each other 'you do you hun' 🤮

How the hell did they make it through natural selection.

@doublehalo yes absolutely. If you usually click on reputable sources, it will keep on giving you those sources. It reinforces your worldview. Also the opposite with so called facts and charts.

I do wonder if the whole just too much of a mental strain for some people. They've just latched on to an alternative reality as a coping mechanism.

I do feel sorry for them but wish they'd stop spreading falsehoods. Although agree with pp about the Social Dilemma - we don't stand a chance do we?

I came off FB recently. I use alternative search engines (not Google). There are science specific search engines too.

What I don't get is all the research I have looked up is disparaged. Because I'm going against the narrative. Nothing has come from the BBC, or Facebook!
Yet people who haven't researched at all say that people like me are the dangerous ones? They blindly trust the government.

I work in the NHS, I'm a skilled clinician. I'm not stupid. I'm also not anti vaxx. I'm just questioning things I am told.

Humans look for cause and effect and it spins our world out of control when we can’t find a reason for something, Sadly it’s a very human failing. Also we have got used to there being answers and treatments and when there was nothing it terrified people witless and they would rather think it’s a hoax, I think as others have said people are scared and trying to make sense of it all, rather than face the truth that’s it’s a virus and we cannot obliterate it.

FB is such a massive pile of rubbish I’m surprised anyone uses it any more. Not saying that as a criticism towards those that do use it, just genuinely surprised it hasn’t run it’s course.

Your heartbroken over other peoples opinions? Not saying I agree with these ppl but get some perspective.

I'm giving mine the benefit of the doubt for the minute. This pandemic and lockdown has fried people's brains a bit. I ignore all that tripe and hope they'll go back to normal soon.

Jump "I work in the NHS, I'm a skilled clinician. I'm not stupid. I'm also not anti vaxx. I'm just questioning things I am told."

Sadly, daring to ask questions now gets you lumped in with all sorts these days.

Hokiecokie, yes- Heartbroken so many lies are becoming normalised, and so many folks are led down a rabbit hole of paranoia and misinformation and corruption, and that collectively humanity is in such a mess..

I don’t consider anyone who believes in and spreads this kind of crap to be intelligent.

I think many of them come across as intelligent but anyone who believes that Bill gates is going to insert a microchip in you through the vaccine or who believes that COVID is a hoax is a sandwich short of a picnic.

Incidentally, Bill gates doesn’t need to insert a microchip into anyone, if those people are posting their drivel using fb or their mobile phones then “they, (whoever they are)” already know where you are...

Anyone remember Nick Griffin of the BNP? I always used to think when hearing him speak that he seemed scarily intelligent, because he was rather eloquent. Then I saw him being interviewed and without his pre-prepared speech and being put on the spot he crumbled.

My FB friend list has taken a massive hit since COVID and I don’t care. The kinds of people who believe that COVID is a hoax thus making a mockery of all those who have died, or who refer to masks as muzzles, or who think that the vaccine is all a conspiracy aren’t the kinds of people I need or want in my life. If they were good friends then that’s a shame but ah well. Friendships come and go for all sorts of reasons.

My intelligent, lovely best friend has also gone down this path and it’s hard to watch. I don’t reply when she comments about it as it wouldn’t go well. She knows I feel the opposite and we leave it at that. What watched some bits on YouTube to see where she was getting the ideas from and it can look quite convincing, which I suppose is the point. Worrying.

Are we just letting the use
Of TyPiNg LiKe ThIs
slide then?

It is incredibly ableist.

My sister is one of these. My dad has been staying with me since last March. I don't know whether she is jealous/angry but as she lives in mainland Europe, where he can't speak the language, it made more sense for him to be here.

She has always been "odd". When 9/11 happened she spent ages bending DH's ear about how it was all faked as towers couldn't just collapse like that. Umm think about it "D"Sis, they targeted planes that were flying long distance so they were filled with highly combustible aviation fuel... However, that wasn't enough for her. Now she cannot understand how all the vaccines use the same technique (but they don't). Her O level in Biology 30+ years ago trumps my DDs' A levels and degree courses in Sciences obviously. I have blocked her on WhatsApp and refused to friend her on FB. My own profile is locked down so I cannot see the crap she is peddling.

Also, re flat earth era, you can kind of laugh at them because they’re just a bit loopy but harmless.

COVID deniers and anti vaxxers are dangerous.

The problem is most if these conspiracy theories have a grain of truth to them which pulls vunerable people in, and then goes off in a direction that is untrue.

I do think we need to be more aware of how the internet has radicalised so many. Whoever used that term upthread is spot on. I read everything I can and keep an open mind but I was astonished at how powerful and convincing some of the material I saw online was once you have already accepted the basic premise of the argument. It is like those early Stanford experiments in psychology, group think, etc. I still think that to have unleashed unchartered terrain such as the www to the public meant that it would be hijacked by the fringe in ways we couldn’t understand. It has empowered them and in turn their sense of power (because in an online bubble they are unchallenged) is seductive to others who have been socialised to follow authority.

@tttigress

The problem is most if these conspiracy theories have a grain of truth to them which pulls vunerable people in, and then goes off in a direction that is untrue.

Exactly. So, we have cut out context, perspective - the very things that enable us to balance raw facts with a mental perspective needed to make sense of things.

Russell Brand is a scaremonger too.

I know a girl from my high school who’s very into it all, she’s highly intelligent though and studied law 🤷🏻‍♀️She’s convinced by the great reset angle and if you do look at lockdowns being implemented and our economies crumbling, I can see some sense in it. She’s fallen out with so many friends, separated from her husband and her family aren’t happy with her, it’s almost taken over her life now. She says it’s all an intelligence test now and the people ‘Going along with all this’ are the thick ones. She’s so angry all the time, scary times.

@Mulletonyourhead

I know a girl from my high school who’s very into it all, she’s highly intelligent though and studied law 🤷🏻‍♀️She’s convinced by the great reset angle and if you do look at lockdowns being implemented and our economies crumbling, I can see some sense in it. She’s fallen out with so many friends, separated from her husband and her family aren’t happy with her, it’s almost taken over her life now. She says it’s all an intelligence test now and the people ‘Going along with all this’ are the thick ones. She’s so angry all the time, scary times.

Sounds like my Mum