Why do conspiracy theorists go on at length about it all the time?

[AquamarineBalloon]

I’ve just been on a taxi journey during which the driver went on and on about his conspiracy theories for the whole journey, doing his own research, etc. I just acknowledged he was speaking but didn’t offer any response or engagement but the lecture continued for the whole trip (which was thankfully relatively short).

I hold opinions about various things but unless I’m specifically asked what I think, or having a conversation on that topic, I don’t feel the need to go on at length about them to other people.

He’s entitled to his view (however baseless and ridiculous) but why the lecture?

AIBU?

They genuinely believe that they are the 'awakened' and need to wake up the rest of 'the sheep' It's almost like some religions who knock on your door to convince you to join them.

I've no idea why they call everyone else sheep, when trying to convince us of their arguments. It completely shuts down any discussion for me. Otherwise I'd happily chat to them with an open mind (if slightly cynical)

Two close friends of mine have fallen down this rabbit hole. They are now ex-friends unfortunately as the smugness and lack of respect for my beliefs/opinions was infuriating. There was definitely a superiority thing to it (from the man), and his partner seems to be going along with it as she is terrified of the relationship ending. They are now homeschooling their two young children and God knows what they are filling their minds with as they have completely lost a grip on reality (flat earth, lizard royal family etc...)

Did the conspiracy theories start before or after the mental illness?

Aren't "they" the World Economic Forum - who are planning the downfall of society (motivation unlcear). And of course Bill Gates.

Lizard people are my faves. Some of the others I can see where they may be coming from in a very small sense (eg there is possibly an element of ‘what if some of this is actually true’ behind some of it) but lizard people? Nah!

Imo, it's because they are not well, mentally. Part of that manifests as the deep need to convince others of The Truth.

I’m afraid I felt I had to walk away from someone (who genuinely seemed a lovely person when I first met them) when they went down this rabbit hole of alt-right conspirituality and over the pandemic their views became increasingly weird and unpleasant. They really believe I am a lost soul, doing the devil’s work by colluding with the mainstream. I really feel for families affected in this way.

World Economic Forum, Illuminati, the Jewish elite, the "elite" in general, the "13 families", the lizard people, the global satanic cult. Today we've added The Vatican to that list. There's definite crossover and sometimes they're essentially the same group but different names for them but it depends who you speak to and the angle of the conspiracy.

I guess if you think you've discovered the TRUTH and if only others listened to you they too would see the light it must be hard to shut up about it.

This is also why I've muted Sex and Gender on mumsnet. Lots of otherwise perfectly reasonable posters who are convinced that people who don't agree with them are ignorant, or men, or 'handmaidens'.

I've got a very close friend who believes in all the conspiracies going. I have to be careful not to bring anything up around certain topics as she will jump in on it. She believes she's absolutely right and has 'done her research.'
The other day she confidently stated that so many people around her were dropping down dead at the moment, because of the vaccine and I couldn't help but laugh at her.

Oh god I have one in my extended family too and he drives me fucking nuts! He was always a very controlling and opinionated twat and now I cannot bear to listen to his drivel, for some reason it makes me furious inside…I think it’s because I stand by the values that everyone is entitled to their opinion…freedom and speech and all that, only they want to force their opinions on you…

His are many of what PPs have said, Plus a new one which is you don’t have to actually pay your bills, gas/elec/water etc - and Im a dumb sheep for continuing to line the pockets of the elite. I did ask if he has stopped paying their utilities then….he responded he is as he may want credit in the future 😂🤣 You can’t make this shit up…yet they do!!

Yeah, mine did that too. Was quite unpleasant to me when I told them I’d taken my Mum to get the vax when it was first rolled out and claimed she was helping the world by refusing it. Told me that I would get a heart attack. This is someone who claims to be spiritual and in touch with angels. What can you do?

These types of issues have always existed. There is a serious lack of critical thinking, and the effect is amplified in social media and platforms like that. At it's root is a lack of "critical thinking". But why? Here are some interesting points: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ie/blog/the-time-cure/202110/conspiracy-beliefs-vs-critical-and-analytical-thinking (I'm a software developer, not an expert in the area, but we've all been "taught" critical thinking, and it's been reinforced in recent years).

One aspect of lack of critical thinking that standard out on these forums is confirmation bias , people make an argument, and selectively post references that support their point-of-view, ignoring and discounting anything else. Of course, can equally well be a decision by the person, rather than confirmation bias.

It's so obvious in the discussion on Ukraine/Russia, the middle east mess, etc. We're right, we're discriminated against, we're defending ourselves, etc. From both sides of course.

Oh, what you have there is a "Sovereign Citizen" nutter. That's been around for a lot longer than most of the newer, trendy theories.

It has to do with laws passed by parliament not being enforceable enforceable and that the Magna Carta is the real governing document. It also draws in some weird interpretation of common and admiralty law. They have a really strange, precise language that they talk and they think that it gets your around being bound by laws. Most of the evidence they show are videos of people talking absolute jibberish to police and courts and them getting away with things. In reality, most of the time, it's the court or the officer walking away to go ask someone what the fuck this person is talking about and the "evidence" ends there.

I think a lot of conspiracy theorists are into it because it makes them feel intelligent, that they are party to someone most people aren't aware of. So they like to talk about it and I guess they think it'll impress people or something?

But I always say that questioning everything is just as dim as never questioning anything. Most people can use their sense and look into things that seem dubious, and leave alone things that are clearly what they appear to be.

I always think if someone is banging on about a particular subject all the time, they're more than likely trying to convince themselves rather than anyone else!

Oh the Freeman of the land/sovereign citizen ones are brilliant. I work in the public sector and they're constantly writing in about why the magna carta means they don't have to pay tax or speeding fines or register their child's birth etc. They will often sign off as e.g. John, of the family Smith, instead of as John Smith.

An old school friend from primary school is one. She was in one of their facebook groups and loads of them were clearly making money - offering other members with help declaring their 'oath to the Barons' 'for only £150, hun'.

I have one that lives near me with his own van and car emblazoned with his logo. Same idea, conning people into how they can get out of their bills.

Their language is almost impenetrable. I think it stems from not being subject to the laws if you don't enter into a contract with the state so you need to speak in really specific ways with precise wording when dealing with officials so that you don't accidentally start a contract. I think they're the least threatening because no one has a clue what they're talking about 🤣.

They are just totally full of shit but are utterly convinced that they are enlightened.

They spout utter drivel.

I agree that some (not all by any means) taxi drivers can be the main culprits.

It's not just conspiracy theorists, it's people obsessed by a certain topic, be it sport, politics etc, they think everyone wants to talk about it

The thing I don’t quite get is that in a ‘normal’ conversation, if the other person is giving you nothing back, not responding, or giving one word disinterested replies, you’d get the message. It just didn’t put him off. If I was engaging and responding, or even vaguely showing interest, I might have understood but I wasn’t. Surely they get the message that the person they’re talking to doesn’t give a shit?

Conspiracy nonsense aside, I do think Taxi drivers are really skilled at waffling nonsense into the void. It's just more annoying when the content is horrific tonlisten to.

@divinededacende

Oh God, I know exactly what you mean and I wish I didn't. What I detest about this attitude is they want a roof over their head, running water, heating etc but they do not see why they should need to pay for these things or contribute in any way. It's all take, take, take and never give anything, never pay your dues or pull your weight. I just don't like that kind of a person, because of the kind of person they are.

Me: Are you hoping for a generous tip at the end of this ride?
Crazed Taxi Driver: Er, yes!
Me: Then please stop talking.
(To be sure, whether or not I tip anything at all after being subjected to the idiot blather is another matter entirely.)

Generally they're pickled pot heads who think they're enlightened, from my experience. The irony of them being trapped by their paranoid thoughts when they see the rest of us as being controlled, is not lost on me......