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Original poster

Why are the 5G conspiracy theorists so aggressive?

68 replies

Roostersmum2 · 06/04/2020 11:05

I've been sworn at and insulted for saying I don't believe the conspiracy theories about 5G, been told to fuck off because that I'm "uneducated" and a "sheep"

By conspiracy theories I'm referring to the people saying "the virus doesn't exist, what you're seeing is people dying from 5G radiation" and "5G is a government plot to reduce the population"

People I previously felt were relatively nice individuals who I had time for are swearing and ranting on social media, disowning and cutting off anybody who disagrees with their narrative.

I've never had a crossed word with these people in all of the years I've known them and now suddenly they have a them vs us mentality.

I've seen people regularly butt heads over politics and brexit but this is on another level, it's cult like.

Why are these people so aggressive?

OP posts:
Bimbleboo · 06/04/2020 11:12

I am aware I might get piled on for this, but my thinking is the same with lots of the anti-vaxx people.
They have a narrative that allows them to feel in control. They can’t comprehend all of the facts because some don’t make sense, some are complicated and some are contradictory to others. There’s research from all angles and all cultures and all schools of thought and none of them are quite as simple and linear as ‘the lizard world leaders are trying to kill us with microchips’.

I once read something that said conspiracy theories allow non intellectual people to feel more intelligent than they are...

Which may be a little offensive to some but if taken without malice , it does make a little sense.

Stellaris22 · 06/04/2020 11:16

I think that makes sense. It's a way for some people to feel more in control and the aggressiveness is more their fear at the situation.

It's not pleasant but I do pity them in a way.

esjee · 06/04/2020 11:17

Of course its cult like, they're conspiracy theorists! You cannot argue or debate with them, it will only entrench them further in their views.

SinisterBumFacedCat · 06/04/2020 11:19

I once read something that said conspiracy theories allow non intellectual people to feel more intelligent than they are...

Yes!

NoMorePoliticsPlease · 06/04/2020 11:23

Where are you getting all this? I have only heard one sentence. Is is social media

esjee · 06/04/2020 11:30

I do think it's about the sense of control they feel - both over the event/theory and over their own lives. In terms of the events, obviously it gives random uncontrollable acts a reason and purpose, which means they can be stopped or changed or means they plain didn't happen anyway.
In terms of their own lives, it gives them a purpose, makes them feels special and in the know and part of something that only a 'select' group is smart and informed enough to understand. They also now validate each other online, which only makes it worse. Their identity becomes tied up in these theories, I don't really understand why, but the investment I see in CTs who believe all kinds of theories from the frivolous to the serious is just scary. It's unshakeable. The only way out is if they somehow see the light themselves.

Bimbleboo · 06/04/2020 11:37

@esjee THIS. Put much more eloquently than me! Agree completely

pocketem · 06/04/2020 11:39

It's ridiculous. We should all clap for 5G on Tuesday

Why are the 5G conspiracy theorists so aggressive?
Original poster
Roostersmum2 · 06/04/2020 11:39

I'm seeing it alot on my personal Facebook, I don't know what that says about the type of people I know but I'm certainly looking at them differently after this.

They are entitled to think what they like of course but the hostility is out of order. It's as though they can't respect the right to think for yourselves (which is what they believe they are doing, after all)

OP posts:
PerkingFaintly · 06/04/2020 11:41

For one bunch of people, the True Believers, the details of the conspiracy theory don't matter: it's just important to them that they have one, and can bond over it, for the reasons described by PP.

For another bunch of people, the True Believers are useful idiots who can be nudged to take up conspiracy theories which are useful to the Nudgers.

Destroying mobile phone masts, for example. A classic piece of sabotage useful to antagonistic nation states and other malicious actors.

Both groups are likely to get, or pretend to get, outraged when challenged...

Toothsil · 06/04/2020 11:42

There's a group of friends on my Facebook - I'm not close friends with any of them but friendly enough, the 3 of them are very close though. They're all anti vaxxers, all believe that either this has all been caused by 5G or deliberately released and all believed that they would not get "this lurgy" as they call it, because none of them have been vaccinated against anything and therefore have not compromised their immune systems. Now, two of them think they have it, and despite struggling to breathe, they are refusing to get medical help because if they go into hospital they will immediately be put into induced comas. They also think that doctors are killing people. I honestly can't cope with them any more and keep hovering over the delete button...! Oh and they also think that if they did get the flu vaccine, which they won't, ever, the doctor who gives it would also microchip them at the same time.

PicsInRed · 06/04/2020 11:43

Because they're scared.

esjee · 06/04/2020 11:49

@Toothsil. I find it really disturbing how more and more people, who you wouldn't think are prone to this nonsense, are starting to believe illogical like you're describing. I'm all for freedom of expression online, but I feel like this will have to be monitored or addressed in some way at some point because its making our population stupider.

Igotthemheavyboobs · 06/04/2020 11:53

I have only seen this theory on here in the jokey threads.

I would either ignore if I wanted to stay friends with these people or just delete them if I wasn't that bothered.

pigsDOfly · 06/04/2020 12:01

Because they're scared.

I think we're all pretty scared at the moment, we don't all start subscribing to idiotic social media rubbish.

It's the same mindset that in an earlier age would have had them turning out with their pitchforks and hanging or burning witches.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 06/04/2020 12:08

They aren't just scared, they are bloody aggressive with it.

DH builds telecoms infrastructure, big towers in previous decades, installation of antennas, upgrades etc. So that includes 5G.

He has countered the hysteria, it makes you infertile, it weakens your bones and now it is CV.

NONE of the conspiracy theorists have yet explained why, despite being in closer contact than most, having worked it for almost 30 years, he is fertile, his bones are fine and he does not have CV... or any of the other life changing issues masts are supposed to cause.

ErrolTheDragon · 06/04/2020 12:20

Maybe some of them are the subsection of people who in a more religious age would have been extremists preaching hellfire etc. (There still are some of those around, saying it's gods judgement for legalising gay marriage or abortion)

Original poster
Roostersmum2 · 06/04/2020 12:23

One of them has blocked me on Facebook after telling me to fuck off. They came onto a post I shared from the guardian, which said these conspiracy theories were dangerous fake news.

I'm considering removing the other two myself because I'm tired of seeing their hostile posts directed at those of us who aren't interested in their fanatical ramblings.

I'm wondering whether one status put up today was also directed toward myself, because I shared articles debunking their silly theories.

Its a shame fall out over something like this, the one posting today is the mother of my ASD sons friend and he doesn't have many, but I'm just tired of seeing it.

OP posts:
GirlCalledJames · 06/04/2020 12:30

I think the reason they and the Chemtrails lot (probably a lot of overlap) are so aggressive and hostile is because they aren’t well. The conspiracy theories are so ridiculous a healthy mind couldn’t believe it.
People who don’t get vaccinations are a more diverse group. There is a kernel of truth in what they say as vaccine injuries exist, they are just completely misguided about their scale compared with the benefits.

Original poster
Roostersmum2 · 06/04/2020 12:35

I think the reason they and the Chemtrails lot (probably a lot of overlap) are so aggressive and hostile is because they aren’t well

Yes I've noticed they tend to be a certain type, MH problems or drug use.

The lady ranting today has EUPD and the person who told me to fuck off smokes cannabis.

OP posts:
MockersxxxxxxxSocialDistancing · 06/04/2020 12:38

Quite a lot of this will be Uncle Vlad's trolls.

Haffiana · 06/04/2020 12:42

Conspiracy theories are belief systems. Exactly the same as extreme religion.

The aggressive ones are exactly the same as religious fundamentalists, and there is exactly the same possibility of persuading them to give up their ideas or to be tolerant of those who do not share them, as there is with religious extremists.

It is not sane, it is not rational and as we have seen with the 5g mast burning, it is just as dangerous to the country.

GammaRays · 06/04/2020 12:42

I have EUPD but don't believe in any conspiracy theories. Please don't group anyone with EUPD with CT's. My DS is fully vaccinated and I'm scared of Coronavirus but taking all the government advice seriously.

GammaRays · 06/04/2020 12:43

I have EUPD but don't believe in any conspiracy theories. Please don't group anyone with EUPD with CT's. My DS is fully vaccinated and I'm scared of Coronavirus but taking all the government advice seriously.