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Original poster

feckin conspiracy theories

212 replies

logicandfacts · 27/11/2022 18:09

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.

OP posts:
DogInATent · 27/11/2022 21:29

Watchkeys · 27/11/2022 20:18

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.

Show quote history

You either have no idea.
Or you're a conspiracy grifter yourself.

BigMandsTattooPortfolio · 27/11/2022 21:43

Redannie118 · 27/11/2022 20:53

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"

I’m looking forward to that podcast it’s on my list. The Conspirituality podcast looks interesting too. Some New Age teachings are caught up in this thinking too.

apapuchi · 27/11/2022 21:50

DogInATent · 27/11/2022 21:29

You either have no idea.
Or you're a conspiracy grifter yourself.

Show quote history

Agreed (DogInATent). My brother is about as far down the rabbit hole as it gets. It continues to cause a problem, I'm never going to give up on him. Your 'flawed' (Watchkeys) is for me something distorted so hugely by misinformation and poor mental health I could never stop battling to change it and save my brother's life.

Watchkeys · 27/11/2022 21:56

@DogInATent

Thanks for the accusation. I don't have to take it on board any more than you have to take anybody's conspiracy theory on board.

LifesABotch · 27/11/2022 21:59

Haffiana · 27/11/2022 18:29

Conspiracy theories are the new religion.

People who wouldn't be seen dead believing in a God that causes everything to happen in the world and which they have no proof for, will happily instead believe in an unseen group of humans with secret powers that is conspiring to change the world.

And just like a religious fanatic, you cannot argue with them using logic and facts, because it is a deeply, DEEPLY held belief system.

And further, just like a religious fanatic, Conspiracy Theorists believe that they are 'special' and 'chosen' because they can See the Truth and everyone else is blind.

Totally agree!

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 27/11/2022 22:00

@DogInATent I also agree. My friend will not agree to disagree. I requested she just have her views and I have mine and we talk about anything but that but she won't as sees it as a dealbreaker. I tried asking her about other stuff. I tried talking to her about it and she would argue and say nasty things or pick apart what I said and 'test' me that I'd actually read or watched the stuff with questions. It was just draining me in the end. She also got very personal with me. Before this she was quite argumentative and would try to get the rise out of me with brexit, Black Lives Matter, Russia etc and I would bat that off but this just went too far.

Suzi888 · 27/11/2022 22:02

Know a professor, he’s been headhunted, exemplary career and he believes covid could have been a social experiment. It would be pointless saying, “don’t be ridiculous” as he has a fair few degrees more than me.

LifesABotch · 27/11/2022 22:07

Suzi888 · 27/11/2022 22:02

Know a professor, he’s been headhunted, exemplary career and he believes covid could have been a social experiment. It would be pointless saying, “don’t be ridiculous” as he has a fair few degrees more than me.

Shock As in, virus created and/or released deliberately?
EmmaAgain22 · 27/11/2022 22:09

Haffiana · 27/11/2022 18:29

Conspiracy theories are the new religion.

People who wouldn't be seen dead believing in a God that causes everything to happen in the world and which they have no proof for, will happily instead believe in an unseen group of humans with secret powers that is conspiring to change the world.

And just like a religious fanatic, you cannot argue with them using logic and facts, because it is a deeply, DEEPLY held belief system.

And further, just like a religious fanatic, Conspiracy Theorists believe that they are 'special' and 'chosen' because they can See the Truth and everyone else is blind.

Interestingly, my "aliens are coming" obsessed friend is a devout churchgoer. She believes that everything will have a good outcome, "because god".

Fireyflies · 27/11/2022 22:11

The friend I know who's a conspiracy theorist has a degree, PhD and string of academic publications. Being (on one level at least) intelligent doesn't seem to prevent you getting absorbed into them. I think it's more akin to mental illness than general stupidity or gullibility in any other sense.

Fridaynightmare · 27/11/2022 22:12

My ex husband was the same to the point it became a subject or rather many subjects we just couldn't discuss as it became an argument e.g flat earth, 9/11.

It's almost a relief we split up before covid because that would have absolutely have been unbearable living through all of that listening to his views and like the previous posters say they don't usually agree to disagree they spend all their time trying to get you to change your mind, it's exhausting.

The people who get sucked in who I have seen are usually narcissists, thick or terrified.
Totally agree with the similarity of being a religious fanatic and an argument I used to use with my ex husband.

One of the other things that used to rile me is that once they seem to believe in more than 3 conspiracy theories they just believe them all which makes it all the more daft.
I used to say they'd all have a bit more credibility if they just had one or 2 theories they thought was a possibility.

FurElsie · 27/11/2022 22:26

I'm 67 years old and have had many discussions with conspiracy theorists or, as I see it, binary thinking, re fundamentalist christianity, covid conspiracy, ancient aliens.. all sorts! I think some people just don't have a logical brain and/or have never been introduced to the scientific, peer reviewed standard of evaluating information - even to the extent that they think information from any source is equal, sadly. Never been able to get a glimmer of logic, but over time their views have changed to align with the more rational sensible norm, ie they've calmed down!

ldontWanna · 27/11/2022 22:28

It's cult mentality.

Just like religious extremism/devotion, mlms, actual cults, vaccines cause autism , other types of extremes and all that crap.

Just telling them it's bollocks won't work.

Nursejackie1 · 27/11/2022 22:34

What I don’t understand is the common explanation that conspiracy theorists are looking for comforting answers to their feelings of unrest, trying to make sense of the world. Surely believing that the elite are actually lizards from outer space that guzzle the blood of babies for their adrenochrome and that covid vaccines are microchipping the masses doesn’t do much to calm the nerves?

Watchkeys · 27/11/2022 22:36

Duality rocks on this thread. Non conspiracy theorists are convinced that they are right. Nobody can sway them, because they believe in their proof.

Humans are fascinating.

We're all different... and we're allowed to be. Let them believe what they want, if there must be a 'them and us'.

AtrociousCircumstance · 27/11/2022 22:38

@Nursejackie1 But they’ve got what the deem to be the answers and they’ve got certainty, plus a lovely magical dose of bonkers/childlike fantasy. It must feel very grounding for them to ‘Know’, to have everything sewn up and to be a member of a group of special Knowers.

ldontWanna · 27/11/2022 22:41

Nursejackie1 · 27/11/2022 22:34

What I don’t understand is the common explanation that conspiracy theorists are looking for comforting answers to their feelings of unrest, trying to make sense of the world. Surely believing that the elite are actually lizards from outer space that guzzle the blood of babies for their adrenochrome and that covid vaccines are microchipping the masses doesn’t do much to calm the nerves?

It actually makes a lot of sense, if you think about it.

They have an "explanation " for whatever is "wrong". Not just that, but they know about it ,unlike the sheep and can prepare for "it" or be on the lookout for the signs.

That can be comforting,when you can't get it any other way.

EmmaAgain22 · 27/11/2022 22:42

Nurse "What I don’t understand is the common explanation that conspiracy theorists are looking for comforting answers to their feelings of unrest, trying to make sense of the world"

same here.

Nursejackie1 · 27/11/2022 22:48

i suppose yes in a weird way it makes sense to them.

I remember meeting a couple in a pub before the millennium who had paid a hell of lot of money for supplies for the world ending when we hit the year 2009. They we planning to be on top of Ayers Rock and we’re utterly convinced the rest of us would perish. Wonder how they feel now.
Shame these latest ones aren’t so clear cut and will find a way to rule in and in.

tTo those saying live and let live, it can be pretty dangerous, it’s almost like a collective schizophrenia… masses of people living in an alternative reality.
Also look at pizza gate, there’s extremism waiting to happen.
these people have votes. It’s dangerous

Icecreamandapplepie · 27/11/2022 22:48

@Watchkeys You are missing the point entirely that we can all believe what we want... However, those who believe in all the anti jab stuff etc etc will not agree to disagree. They are so worked up by it, they cannot stop sharing their views. Militantly. They are obsessed. And it's affecting their mental health.

My mum is a narcissist, so that article is very interesting.

Nightynightnight · 27/11/2022 22:51

Nursejackie1 · 27/11/2022 22:34

What I don’t understand is the common explanation that conspiracy theorists are looking for comforting answers to their feelings of unrest, trying to make sense of the world. Surely believing that the elite are actually lizards from outer space that guzzle the blood of babies for their adrenochrome and that covid vaccines are microchipping the masses doesn’t do much to calm the nerves?

Because human beings hate uncertainty. We need to have reasons.

Nursejackie1 · 27/11/2022 22:51

year 2000 too many typos

ldontWanna · 27/11/2022 22:55

Nursejackie1 · 27/11/2022 22:48

i suppose yes in a weird way it makes sense to them.

I remember meeting a couple in a pub before the millennium who had paid a hell of lot of money for supplies for the world ending when we hit the year 2009. They we planning to be on top of Ayers Rock and we’re utterly convinced the rest of us would perish. Wonder how they feel now.
Shame these latest ones aren’t so clear cut and will find a way to rule in and in.

tTo those saying live and let live, it can be pretty dangerous, it’s almost like a collective schizophrenia… masses of people living in an alternative reality.
Also look at pizza gate, there’s extremism waiting to happen.
these people have votes. It’s dangerous

It is dangerous,mainly due to escalation. All forms of extremism is.

But, from what we've seen so far aggressively combating/attacking it/them doesn't actually work. It can also be a form of addiction. It takes time,professional help and hitting rock bottom to even have a chance to get through.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 27/11/2022 22:55

ldontWanna · 27/11/2022 22:28

It's cult mentality.

Just like religious extremism/devotion, mlms, actual cults, vaccines cause autism , other types of extremes and all that crap.

Just telling them it's bollocks won't work.

I definitely agree with this. The problem is when it's your beloved best friend who thinks you're a unreasonable bitch because you won't take it seriously

PToosher · 27/11/2022 22:57

Watchkeys · 27/11/2022 22:36

Duality rocks on this thread. Non conspiracy theorists are convinced that they are right. Nobody can sway them, because they believe in their proof.

Humans are fascinating.

We're all different... and we're allowed to be. Let them believe what they want, if there must be a 'them and us'.

Yeah, it shouldn't be a matter of 'their proof', it should be a matter of THE proof.
That's how science works. If you are stating your case, show the falsifiable proof, otherwise it's just your opinion.

If you can't, it's a matter of belief, no matter what your credentials are.