Conspiracy theories....

[RoyalAlbertHallSinger]

I’m feeling quite frankly terrified at the moment. An ex colleague (so you would think someone with a modicum of intelligence as she works in a school) has sent me a video. It’s 8 minutes of misinformation, conspiracy theory and out right lies aimed at persuading people to avoid Covid testing and vaccination. The fact that this is circulating among supposedly intelligent people scares me more than the virus....

@Isitisntit

In the academic world, conspiracy theorists would be called critical thinkers. I am not s conspiracy theorist but I certainly don't believe the main narrative of fear about this virus.

No they would not. In academia you are encouraged to show that you have considered both sides of an argument and are expected to back up your thoughts with credible evidence and sources. You should be able to differentiate between good and bad arguments, good and bad science and be able to evaluate the credibility of information and evidence.

Conspiracy theorists do none of this, they seek only that evidence which backs their theory and reject any which does not. (While we are all guilty of doing this to some extent, they take it to an extreme). For example they will reject out of hand a peer reviewed academic study or other credible evidence but will accept without question something proposed by some random crank on YouTube or written on some obscure blog.

If students handed in a paper which sited random Bob's YouTube channel or random Bob's blogger blog, no academic is going to be calling them a critical thinker.

*cited obviously, damn you auto carrot 🥕 :)

@SentientAndCognisant

Vaccination is not compulsory so of course individual can decline I’d hope people make an informed choice and are capacitous. Weigh up information from reputable sources and think of the pro/cons. No decision is risk free

No health intervention is risk free
Doing nothing is not risk free

Getting health advice from conspiracy theorist on FB or an aerated. WhatsApp group is risky

If you don't see this upcoming vaccine will be made mandatory I've got a bridge to sell you.

@JimmyTheBrave they are skipping one phase, it's called following the long term effects of the vaccine before approving it.

Why would you think the government don't have secret plans etc
They gag people, hide information, official secrets act etc.
That's what a conspiracy is. There's lots of them. They've happened in every single decade.
One particularly interesting one is when they did biological warfare tests over the west country a few decades ago. And yet anyone who says that is apparently crazy. Even though the government now admit it themselves.

If you don't see this upcoming vaccine will be made mandatory I've got a bridge to sell you

I have no idea what you alluding to?
There is no compulsory vaccination programme

Flu vaccine is offered to specific groups they’re not compelled to accept

It really is hysterical and baseless to suggest compulsory vaccination is pending

Bridge? I do not know what you’re on about

I don't believe conspiracy theories but can see why people do. The are not thick, they just started out with the same question everyone has, which is why suddenly this many restrictions for a disease that doesn't appear very fatal. They come to crazy conclusions, but it's not an unreasonable question. I wonder why everyone is so willing to accept things like parliament not being in session, no scrutiny or voting on new laws, no real opportunity to hold the government to account. That should worry all of us, without any conspiracy being required.

Tootletum So do you believe that the government plan in secret? Do you believe their plans might cause people harm?

[quote JKRowlingIsMyQueen]@JimmyTheBrave they are skipping one phase, it's called following the long term effects of the vaccine before approving it.[/quote]
Thank you! My thoughts exactly, side effects can take years and years to show.

It's up to everyone what they decide, this is a free country, I'm not judging those that want to take it. And yes I have done my research and I've decided it's not for me.

Exactly what is the "main narrative of fear" about this virus?

I see many different sources saying many different things, often quite nuanced and admitting that much still isn't known. And an inept government that can't get its messaging straight.

@Treesofwood eh ? I'm merely pointing out that since parliament is the basis of our democracy, its current inactive status is a concern. Governments aren't automatically benevolent, which is why limits in their power have always been a feature in established democracies. Those limits are massively eroded at the moment.

@Ethelfleda

they believe that only about 8 people are in on it, the ones who are actually running the world, and the rest below them are puppets who aren't aware of the truth

Which 8 people rule the world?

Ooh can I guess?

Is it:
Moriarty
John Lennon
Andy Peters
Les Dennis
Dennis Rodman
Kim jong un
The woman who runs my local Londis
The go compare man?

You're wrong there. It's actually just Moriarty and his 7 minions, who do all the leg work while he sits behind a desk looking evil and cackling.

Where's Sherlock when you need him, eh?

I have a 'truther' on my Facebook feed, this is the sort of considered data he shares, while telling me to think for myself and do my own research

NB - current UK population is 67 million give or take

There were 64 million meals served not to 64 million different people though. 64 million risky social encounters potentially though.

I read an article posted by someone this morning that really triggered an anxiety attack. I don't know what scared me more, what they were saying, or the fact that people actually believe it. The title is: "FDA Nears Approval of Injectable Biochip Implants for COVID Detection, Linked to Computers". I'm not going to link it in case it sets anyone else off! It was written back in March of this year.

Normally I dismiss these things but this describes a hydrogel microchip (which is already being produced) which will be able to be injected under the skin. Now the object of it is largely medical, and it could be useful for people who need to monitor a part of their biochemistry for biometrics. The company that produces it (Profusa) claims this could be used to detect influenza before the symptoms show, via changes in our biochemistry. However as you can imagine this has been seized on by conspiracy theorists to be the thing that can be injected with a mandatory vaccine, and would be used to control people (via 5G). Now that is pure science fiction but all the same it's a terrifying thought. It's portrayed though as something imminent and coming with a Covid vaccine. I know that's rubbish. But hell, how many people will believe it and jump on that bandwagon? How many are already on it?

As far as I'm concerned, any 'narrative of fear' about Covid-19 or needing to wear masks is nothing in comparison with reading an article like that and seeing how many people agree with it. That's terrifying.

Someone I know actually believes Covid-19 was in fact spread via flu vaccinations... I nearly keeled over.

I think the stress of the times, very real financial worries, frustration, and too much time online has caused many minds to crack. Some of them had sandy foundations to begin with, though.

I had 2 of those "meals", both in large, empty Prets where the only other people were the staff, so not really risky social encounters.

@Ethelfleda

they believe that only about 8 people are in on it, the ones who are actually running the world, and the rest below them are puppets who aren't aware of the truth

Which 8 people rule the world?

Ooh can I guess?

Is it:
Moriarty
John Lennon
Andy Peters
Les Dennis
Dennis Rodman
Kim jong un
The woman who runs my local Londis
The go compare man?

This made me chuckle!

Although I think cats rule the world. Definitely. They planted all these conspiracies to try to get us to stop hanging around their houses so much.

And I wonder is the conspiracists noticed hospital admissions and ventilator beds rose by approx 20% yesterday. Numerically it’s not huge so it could hopefully be an anomaly. But looking at the % it’s worth keeping an eye on

A friend yesterday told me we now have herd immunity because we have lots of cases and few deaths.

I didn’t know where to begin

@CrunchyCarrot. I really feel compelled to respond to your post.sorry to read you got scared & anxious

I haven’t read the article, nor will I

In the Uk an adult who has capacity can refuse treatment inc medication That if you have capacity (as assessed under mental capacity act MCA) you can refuse medication and treatment eg CPR . You can also write an advance directive about what treatments you wish should you be too unwell to consent

At present in the UK there is no mandatory vaccination

There is no suggestion of mandatory mass vaccination in the UK.

How would compulsory vaccinations work
What method would be used to administer by force?

Even if it were topical gel who’d supervise the administration? Who’d compel
Reluctant or refusing people

FDA is an American govt agency that regulates medication. It has no jurisdiction here in uk

Conspiracy theories are a way to externalise internal anguish. I am feeling anxious and alone. Nobody can be trusted. A theory about it on a macro level provides a false sense of control.

There's all sorts.

I read a quite frankly horrifying report a few weeks ago about a woman claiming to be a dr (not medically trained but think did work in some field) who made a video in Urdu and distributed it.

Told families not to send kids to school, they'd be vaccinated and tested against will and even removed from family and isolated. Even deported.

Imagine not having English as your first language or already feeling overwhelmed and having someone warning you like that. The families who were refugees or asylum seekers.

Makes me so so angry.

This shit is hard enough as it is without people preying on those who are vulnerable in other ways

@10milewalk

Personally I think people that believe in conspiracy theories, are just more open minded, there is no harm in questioning thing we hear on the news.

I haven't personally actually listened to any about Covid, but I for one won't be taking a vaccination, that hasn't been tested long term, for something that has a low death rate if you are fit and healthy. I''m not anti vaccination at all, I just wouldn't have a jab that in my opinion has been rushed through.

But they've explained it isn't rushed. It has to go through all stages other vaccines do. Except this time they've run the stages alongside each other and continuously due to throwing funding at it. It also isn't a completely new vaccine. It's using what's already known from studies with Covid.

I'm so sorry. Missed a page and realise I've completely posted what coffee already did.