Are you a conspiracist?

[dejr_8]

It is amazing where some people see conspiracies.

With the internet, do you think the number of conspiracy theories has increased?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Maybe the number of conspiracy theories has not increased, but a lot more people hear about them or participate in them.

 

[VillageMama]

I imagine that the internet has made conspiracy theories more accessible to the masses.

But I think that people have always... rightfully so... been suspicious of their government.

Am I a conspiracist? I don't think so. Do I believe everything the government tells me? No.

 

[DVCLiz]

No, I'm not. And I think the people who are are nuts.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would not say I am a conspiracist, I guess I would call myself a skepticist.

The reason being, perception is in the mind of the beholder. A good recent example is the Stephen Colbert show.

Republicans AND Democrats believe that he is on THEIR side.

The last show to do that was All in the Family.

Truth is only as good as the person telling it and people lie.

 

[DVCLiz]

I would not say I am a conspiracist, I guess I would call myself a skepticist.

The reason being, perception is in the mind of the beholder. A good recent example is the Stephen Colbert show.

Republicans AND Democrats believe that he is on THEIR side.

The last show to do that was All in the Family.

Truth is only as good as the person telling it and people lie.

To me, that's more an issue of one side not being very smart - Both of those shows have/had clear points of view. If someone is not smart enough to figure that out on his/her own, all it takes is 5 minutes online to do some basic research about the show.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

To me, that's more an issue of one side not being very smart - Both of those shows have/had clear points of view. If someone is not smart enough to figure that out on his/her own, all it takes is 5 minutes online to do some basic research about the show.

Now you see, you have fallen in the trap. Because each side says the same thing.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

The only conspiracy theory I subscribe to is that the goal posts in Super Bowl XXV were moved slightly to the left before the beginning of the second half

I don't know if it's the internet itself that should be blamed, but I think people have so much more access to knowledge (and not-quite-knowledge) that people's imaginations work overtime... and I think there's always a quest to explain the unexplainable.

 

[dejr_8]

I would not say I am a conspiracist, I guess I would call myself a skepticist.

The reason being, perception is in the mind of the beholder. A good recent example is the Stephen Colbert show.

Republicans AND Democrats believe that he is on THEIR side.

The last show to do that was All in the Family.

Truth is only as good as the person telling it and people lie.

Skepticism is good! It makes you become more educated about an event/situation/explanation.

I think that is the opposite of being a conspiracist.

 

[dejr_8]

The only conspiracy theory I subscribe to is that the goal posts in Super Bowl XXV were moved slightly to the left before the beginning of the second half :goodvibes

I don't know if it's the internet itself that should be blamed, but I think people have so much more access to knowledge (and not-quite-knowledge) that people's imaginations work overtime... and I think there's always a quest to explain the unexplainable.

I thought the theory was that a unbalanced, doctored football was substituted for the game winning kick.

 

[MushyMushy]

No, I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but I have a few friends who are. I had one who built himself a bunker in 1999 and was convinced there was going to be anarchy and chaos and that it would be the government's fault. He ended up with extreme mental illness and passed away from heart problems. Despite his wacky views on government, he was one of the most brilliant and gifted people I ever have known or ever will know.

I know a few others, though not as far out there. I wonder why all the ones I know are men? Most of the "true" conspiracy theorists mistrust ALL government as opposed to one side or the other. There are a few on the far left or far right who think all these awful things will happen when the other side is in office, but I really don't consider them the "true" conspiracy theorists.

They are SO interesting to talk to, I will say that!

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I thought the theory was that a unbalanced, doctored football was substituted for the game winning kick.

Oooooh maybe. I've always held to the posts being responsible, but maybe it was the ball

 

[DVCLiz]

Now you see, you have fallen in the trap. Because each side says the same thing.

lol - one of those sides is wrong!

It doesn't matter what each side believes, it's what the creator of the show itself has to say. And each of those shows is very - repeat, very - clear about what it is trying to accomplish. And 5 minutes on the internet can tell you that.

 

[freckles and boo]

I don't believe in conspiracies, per se. I do think there are situations where people don't do the right thing and it ends up looking like a conspiracy. For example, cops doling out "professional courtesy" instead of enforcing the law when other cops speed or punch their spouses can seem very conspiratory. Religious authorities who don't discipline abusive clergy can seem conspiratory. I generally think it is hard to get people to agree long enough for true conspiracies to take hold.

 

[Tiger926]

Nope, not at all. I teach at-risk highschool students, and many of them are though, so we get into daily discussions about government, U.S. & Canada, mysteries, terrorists, etc. Most of them make my head hurt, but I know that most conspiracy theorists struggle with perception and reality. They are searching for answers, and when they can find something that gives them that answer, no matter how ridiculous, they start to believe.

There is a whole psychology around the understanding of conspiracy theorists - my colleagues and I have read some good articles, as we have to keep current with it because of our students.

The Internet has just made the whole conspiracy theorist movement take off because you can pretty much find any theory you want, and the corresponding beliefs to perpetuate it. I can pretty much teach kids anything, as I'm a good teacher, and by the same token, I know that I have the power to make my students believe in most of what I have to say, as they respect me highly and know that I'm intelligent. The difference between myself and the conspiracy theorists, is that I know that this isn't appropriate to do - I don't find humour in spreading false information and preying on people who will believe what I have to say. Most conspiracy theories are downright ridiculous, but they are believed by so many...and this is very dangerous for society, IMHO.

Tiger

 

[MzDiz]

Anyone that subscribes to a religion believes in something less plausible than most conspiracy theories.

 

[Wall-E1]

I don't believe in any wacky conspiracy theories. The government implants these theories into people's heads using secret satellites. I have outsmarted them my encasing my home in tin foil, which renders their mind controlling technology useless. So, I consider myself perfectly balanced.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

 

[Wall-E1]

Smart kitty and doggie. They will retain their free thought.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Smart kitty and doggie. They will retain their free thought.