feckin conspiracy theories

[logicandfacts]

Has anyone managed to change someone's mind about misinformation, conspiracy theories - all the stuff that's caused so many problems in relationships over the past few years?

Has any media made a decent programme explaining how this happens to people? If there is, I could show it to "people".

I find it absolutely enraging that I can't change people's minds. AITA?

Examples can be provided.

Yes, agreed Firey.

Probably a lot of us sitting on our hands here!

But OP, do you have to mix with this person? I edged away from someone who was really into prepping for an alien invasion. It wasn't easy as I am very short on friends but...I did not want that in my life!

I do still wonder if it's an attention seeking mechanism in some cases.

To the poster asking about why we have to try and change their minds, that's not the case at all.

It's her (them) that are obsessively talking about it all the time. I just want to avoid ilthe whole subject but that isn't possible. It's not worth discussing it anyway, there's no reasoning skills left there. Anything not in agreement with said views is propaganda.

My mum finds it hard to speak to anyone without trying to 'convert' them to What's Really Happening. People are actively avoiding her. And she's terrified.

And she isn't the only one being led down this path. Awful.

Covid conspiracies have really changed my extended family.
One family member has become a full on anti vaxxer, pro Trump, pro Putin, Bill Gates is the antichrist, mouthpiece and cannot discuss anything else.

Anyone who dies now, it’s because they were vaccinated. It’s as if people didn’t die before. Apparently there are unexplained excess deaths - I know little about it, but a brief look shows it to be because of difficulties with ambulance services (more people dying at home) and people who weren’t treated for things during lockdowns - according to family member these are all due to the vaccine.

It’s draining, and has got to the point where this person is surrounded by the few who believe and are embarrassingly congratulatory that this person dares to say what everyone is thinking, but honestly, most of us think they’re massive dull wankers who don’t understand statistics and are very stupid!

The sad thing is is that these people are vulnerable and targeted by grifters.

Every communication is monetised - click bait / YouTube videos.

The Gurus telling the truth are making millions and millions of £££$$$$€€€€ from anxious people by them war consuming their content.

David Ike is a classic example - written loads of books, fills stadiums with his talks - none of this insight is given away for free - he makes millions. Been around for decades by hopping onto the latest bandwagon - 5G, then Covid, then Ukraine.

In the historic past it was physical contact pamphlets, cults which was limited by resource, distance etc. Now any old digital content can pixel its way into your brain and home unhindered 24/7.

They can apply their cookie cutter business model to each and every new situation in order to extract cash from the anxious - who find “relief” in the certainty the Gurus peddle in an uncertain world.

The latest is the Q Anon / conspiracy stuff is subtly infiltrating the mainstream “well-ness” sector - as they are a an open goal.

The biggest grifter is Trump.

But these two posts are also trying to change opinions and views. There’s nothing wrong with challenging opinions and views, society would fall apart if we didn’t. Imagine if we all took the view of ‘Love and let live, they’re just neo-nazi/racist/misogynistic/sociopathic views. Stop being so triggered!‘

People can agree to disagree. If it continues to cause a problem, the relationship is flawed anyway, regardless of the conspiracy theory, or other reason for disagreement.

I love a good conspiracy theory gets the mind thinking

Most of these conspiracy theorists are not the sharpest tool in the box and are excited/attracted by ‘knowing’ something that other people don’t know.

This is compounded by their sense that some bad reckoning was surely coming [fill in whatever].

There are links between those who strongly believe in conspiracy theories and those with narcissistic personality traits. Which fits with my experience of those who believe in conspiracies.

www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/finding-new-home/202208/surprising-reasons-why-narcissists-conspiracy-theories

I think its a bit CCP and Orwellian to not allow people to question the science and question authority. The fact so much stuff gets censored on YouTube and Google is scarier to me than anything else. We should all be allowed different opinions, its bizarre to me how people nowadays get told to be open minded except when it comes to anything that goes against the media. Say something not towing the line and you're immediately cancelled. Its scary to me.

Of course people are allowed different opinions and given the number of you tubers who are proponents of conspiracy theories I don't think those who question the status quo are being cancelled.

Great link….

“Paranoia, gullibility, need for dominance and uniqueness, and collective narcissism may explain why narcissists are drawn to conspiracy theories.”

NightyNight, course they are. If they discuss vaccine injury they at the very least get demonetized and usually have the video taken down for "misinformation". Also if you type in on YT "is the world flat?" Or "9/11 conspiracy theories" you will get a Wikipedia page giving you the "correct" information and ALL the videos will be proving that the earth isn't flat or that 9/11 couldn't have been an inside job. Same for pretty much any conspiracy theory. Its like they think they own us and deny our right to even look and have a different opinion. Some people might say "well its a good job they do that, it's a good job they hide misinformation", well I wish I trusted those in charge as much as you as its a lot of power they have. Its also insulting to me that we don't get to choose and have different opinions and just agree to disagree. The only thing I know is that I know nothing!

Why do you think there are more videos proving that the world is round than those proving that the world is flat?

This episode from Dr Steven Hassan’s The Influence Continuum podcast (which is fascinating) explores how to talk to people who have been sucked into conspiracy theories.

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan/id1603773245?i=1000551737588

I think its a bit CCP and Orwellian to not allow people to question the science and question authority. The fact so much stuff gets censored on YouTube and Google is scarier to me than anything else. We should all be allowed different opinions, its bizarre to me how people nowadays get told to be open minded except when it comes to anything that goes against the media. Say something not towing the line and you're immediately cancelled. Its scary to me

The believers in Conspiracy Theories that I know seem to spend all of their free time watching content on the internet. I don't think any of it is being censored and there certainly seems a never ending supply for them to watch.

I love conspiracy theories for what they are. Interesting stories. I can see the attraction of them in that they provide "answers" and certainty at times of change and unrest. In a way they are comforting. But the "truth" is ultimately unattainable, so those seeking it become frustrated and more inclined to become obsessed.

Theres a brilliant podcast called Disaster trolls on BBC4/BBC sounds. Its about extreme conspiracy theorists who target victims of terrorist attacks. This is because they believe the attacks to be faked by the government and the victims to be actors. It covers other conspiracy theories too and pretty much the whole thought process behind it. Its one of the most thought provoking things i have ever heard.

During the show they talk to terror victims, celeb conspiracy theorists, psychologists, people who believe the theories and people whove escaped the conspiracy community. Its interesting that psychologists believe that the celebrity theorists very much radicalise the viewers in the way a terrorist group or cult would. The whole community tends to attract people who feel victimised. The theorists offer them power, respect and most importantly "truth" as they all believe they are being lied too. They also encourage them to carry out acts on their behalf that can involve violence, threats and stalking. All the while the leader will keep their hands clean and be beyond reproach while amassing huge fortunes.

It also touches on the fact that the far right has its finger in pretty much ever conspiracy pie you can think of, and is gathering support and funding at an terrifying rate, all in the name of "truth"

Very interesting article, thanks Nighty. The "What does narcissism mean?" part explains one of my colleagues very well. She's always been like this as far as the people who've worked with her for 20 years plus have said although the openness about Conspiracy Theories is new and she's only started openly talking about them since we've had a new member of staff who sits with her and is very into her Conspiracy Theories.

Thanks for that @Redannie118, looks interesting.

Homeland covered fake news and conspiracy theories very well in seasons 6 and 7.

I lost my best friend of nearly 40 years to this shit. Posted about it a couple of times. She sent me a voice message a few weeks ago saying she hasn't fallen out with me but I can't expect her to be interested in my life when I don't respect her beliefs and she also can't sit back and watch me bury my head in the sand and ignore the evidence. I'm not sure what I've done wrong to this day

Oh and she says she is not a conspiracy theorist or an idiot and finds it insulting 😂

Well the argument is that is has some benefit (usually financial for those who pull the strings).

I actually think we need some conspiracy theorists to challenge the things that 90% of us just accept, it is not as if governments have never lied to the people before. Although there does seem to be an awful lot more of them at the moment living in an internet bubble of nonsense.

Covid and the vaccines that were released will be great case studies in the future, should we focus our resources saving over 70’s by risking our children, even if the risk is minimal (When we started doing the Nasal flu Vaccine in 2014 it cost £100mil and was estimated to save 2000 mainly elderly people a year). Also should hospital beds be prioritised to those who may not survive with treatment (65+) and be given to those who will nearly always survive with treatment (under 50)? Italy made this decision during the pandemic.
How many of you got triple jabbed, encouraged others to get it and ridiculed the anti vaxxers……but then paused when they wanted to vaccinate your 3yr old, I know I did.

Its also insulting to me that we don't get to choose and have different opinions and just agree to disagree.

@ThePredictableScript The earth ISN’T flat - you don’t get to choose. There are facts and there is bollocks. And shite about 9/11 falls under ‘bollocks’.