https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspiracy_theory
Conspiracy theorists see themselves as having privileged access to socially persecuted knowledge or a stigmatized mode of thought that separates them from the masses who believe the official account.
https://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/how-do-conspiracy-theories-work-explainer-653052/
By their very nature, conspiracy theories cater powerfully to basic human psychological needs. According to the self-determination theory of human motivation, developed by Rochester psychologists Richard Ryan and Ed Deci, these include the need for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
Conspiracies exploit our fundamental desire to belong to a social group and feel connected to others. They often divide the world into “us” (the ones who know the truth) and “them” (the powerful elites who are hiding the truth). This division creates a sense of belonging and solidarity—that is, relatedness—with others who share similar beliefs.
Similarly, believing in conspiracy theories can help create a sense of autonomy, or a feeling of control over one’s actions and choices so that a person is no longer powerless in the face of unknown forces. Buying into conspiratorial thinking may also feel rewarding because it fosters a sense of moral or intellectual superiority for knowing the “real” truth.
Beyond appealing to these basic needs, conspiracism activates our innate cognitive biases—mental processes that can lead to illogical and irrational decisions by providing seductively simple answers and seemingly reassuring explanations for our complex and often chaotic world. One example is confirmation bias, in which people tend to favor information that supports their pre-existing beliefs. A conspiracy entrepreneur can exploit these natural tendencies to sow conspiratorial thinking in the audience. Furthermore, we are wired to detect patterns, even where none exist, a phenomenon referred to as illusory pattern perception. This skewed perception may make random events appear the result of deliberate, secret plots.
That allows people to feel smug about 5G murder hornets theories while nodding at the Epstein files. It’s finally all out in the open which means it has never been a conspiracy.
Always fun to see it written out in academically correct language,
Ok but what about the conspiracy theories which are the truth
Conspiracy theories are all bollocks. Real conspiracies don’t even bother to hide because they have the power and who’s going to stop them anyway?
[Redacted]
Example?
NSA spying, Epstein, diamond engagement rings, are some examples of conspiracy theories widely established to be real.
And yet, pizza gate, school shooting crisis actors, “Bush did 9/11”, fake moon landing, firmament, HAARP weather control, JFK killed by the CIA, et. al (to name a few) are all ephemeral bunk with no conclusive evidence to back them up.
Yes, and countless crackpots reference Galileo when shouting out their latest thing that scientists don’t want you to know about. The one doesn’t automatically give even the slightest credence to the other.
Sure, but it works the other way around too; you can’t automatically rule out conspiracy theories as false just because they fall into the category of conspiracy theories. This is itself a plausible conspiracy theory; that the trope of conspiracy theories being associated with crazy idiots, and the prevalence of very stupid conspiracy theories, is supported and encouraged to provide additional cover for the real ones.
You can until they provide evidence. Because the onus of proof is on the claimant.
Acquire proof.
I would argue that even before the point where the conspiracies I mentioned were conclusively proven and accepted as common knowledge, it still made sense to seriously consider the possibility and not dismiss people doing so only because they were engaging in conspiracy theories (which absolutely happened). That mindset just helps them get away with it.
5G causing murder hornets is a pretty good one.
I think there’s proof that whales really don’t like Sonar, that’s why they attck boats.
that’s why they attck boats
That part is on you. The proof is only of the first part.
There’s some weak evidence it’s not, and the stuff in your article doesn’t apply at all to the ones that are doing it. But we mostly have no idea.
To clarify, I don’t own a boat, and didn’t write the article (it’s not “mine”).
Geez brah, why ya gotta be spreading misinformation like that.
One of my friends is super liberal and keeps saying this about any criticism of capitalism. Just vote, bro.
Sorry I don’t follow, what does he say about any criticism of capitalism? Does he believe that any competing idea constitutes a conspiracy?
He thinks that any criticism of capitalism is a conspiracy theory, and is thus not accurate. For example if you think the legislature obeys the rich and not the public.
Libertarians of any stripe love their macroeconomics despite its independence of how society as a whole is doing.
It’s funny because it’s true, as they say.
Beautiful.
Earth is… In a way a chemical trail.
Oh, no. The Deep State and Big Psych have gotten to the webcomic artists!
