In my brief time on Steemit so far, I’ve met such a wide variety of wonderful people from so many different walks of life with differing takes on things. Amongst the many individuals I’ve had exchanges here, there is one “group” of people who I’ve come into contact with that I hadn’t before, and that’s conspiracy theorists, or I think they prefer the term “truthers”. My introduction to this group has largely come about as a result of my posts regarding my Asperger’s, as they just love to point out that they have just the remedy I need. In the past, I’ve responded to these people in kind, in an attempt to better understand who they are and why they think what they do.
The connecting thread between the individuals I’ve spoken to has always been vaccinations. Vaccinations cause Autism, vaccinations are purposefully designed to make us ill thanks to Big Pharma, vaccinations weaken the immune system. I find the notion that vaccinations cause Autism to be particularly insulting and troublesome, no scratch that straight up dangerous. However, that isn’t the point of this post anymore. Originally, I was going to take all the arguments against vaccinations that I’ve been given and break them down one by one, show the supposed studies backing these claims up for the fraudulent scams that they are. Last night, after yet another one of these interactions, I asked myself why? Why bother? I can’t change their minds, and they certainly can’t change mine with their flimsy logic and dated arguments.
So, the question is what makes these people like this? Why is it that roughly 50% of US citizens believe in these fallacies? Well, Research has identified a number of personality traits and characteristics that are now known to be associated with belief in conspiracy theories such as paranoia, cynicism, mistrust, feelings of powerlessness, anxiety, and uncertainty. This certainly lines up with my experiences so far, as a common sentiment seems to be “I once trusted the Government…”. As with most things though, this isn’t the whole picture. There are other factors at play here, as people with lower levels of education are far more likely to fall into this way of thinking, whereas it seems people who have developed their analytical skills seem to be more impervious to conspiracy theories.
Another factor can be extreme political views, as people who lie at the extremes in terms of their political orientation are more likely to embrace conspiracies. This works both ways, with both the “regressive left” and “alt-right” falling into this trap. This gives us a good picture of who believes in conspiracy theories, but now the question is why?
It is now believed that a wide range of psychological factors are at play with individuals who buy into conspiracy theories, with recent research suggesting that a number of cognitive tendencies and thinking styles can predict how likely we are to be attracted to conspiracy theories. These include basic cognitive biases such as the tendency to perceive patterns or agency and intentionality where none exist. Put simply, people’s belief in conspiracy theories can in part be explained by how people organise information in their mind. Another factor could be that these individuals, like their anarchic teenage counterparts, just want to feel different, unique. I can understand that feeling.
Is this way of thinking not harmful to the individual though? Well, in short it appears that yes it is. Psychologists are still trying to work out how specific types of conspiracy theories might have different consequences, but research to date suggests that, in general, the consequences are negative. It would seem that conspiracy theories would unite people and mobilise them to get together and force political change, but the opposite seems to be true. Believers in politics-based conspiracy theories are less likely to want to engage in the political system, and just from anecdotal evidence that rings true with me. Anti-vaxxers persuade other parents not to vaccinate their kids against potentially deadly diseases and climate change deniers are less likely to try to alter their carbon footprint. That’s without mentioning the potential harm to relationships, job commitment and satisfaction and increasing isolation.
I’m now of the opinion that there’s very little that can be done for these souls who have tumbled too far down the rabbit hole. Trying to tackle their individual arguments is a waste of time and energy, as they aren’t interested in hearing an alternative perspective, their minds are made up. However, there is a real problem of misinformation on this platform, and the internet as a whole. That is something I intend to tackle, but I’m going to need to go back to the drawing board for now. As with most things, more research is needed.
The strange thing I’ve noticed is how these people use the exact same techniques;
- Hijack comment thread
- Copy and paste walls of text
- Spread their messages out over many comments and posts
- Pushing of supposed studies, that are at best fraudulent, and worst case don’t even exist
- Selective arguments; pick and choose specific excerpts and focus in on them, ignoring the larger context
In future, any comments I receive on my posts pushing pseudoscientific quackery will only receive a link to this post. I have neither the time, nor the patience for this kind of lunacy. Well, that’s my rambly rant over, what did you think? Let me know your thoughts and feelings in the comment section down below, and as always make sure to follow me for the latest Cryptocurrency, Internet and Pop Culture updates. Until we meet again, see you on the flipside!
Sources:
The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5724570/)
Secrets and lies: The psychology of conspiracy theories (http://sciencenordic.com/secrets-and-lies-psychology-conspiracy-theories)
I think one more reason why people tend to believe so much in conspiracy theories is that they find explanations for complex things that are hard to understand due to their complexities. Conspiracy theories simplify issues and thus often seem logical, if one stops thinking further. When they arrive at the point of having understood something that makes sense in their eyes, they feel lofty about the others who do not understand ;). They are unaware that they have fallen into a trap and in principle have understood nothing. And since they feel sublime there is hardly a way to reasonably discuss with them.
Yes, that's a point I've raised before. I'm often left just wide-mouthed at the ridiculously simple views these people have. I don't really have anything else to add to this, you've summed it up very eloquently!
As well as the frustration I feel, I think there's some sympathy in there for them as well. It just seems a shame that they've essentially given up, they no longer seem to want to challenge themselves, and just as you say, feel very good about themselves for having understood their conspiracy.
It's a problem though in my eyes, it only serves to divide people as opposed to unite them.
Yes you are right - it doesn't unite people ..they get divided by different opinions over their theories. It doesn't bring a change in the system that is needed and in which we all agree..I think. But there is nothing you can do...maybe one or the other wakes up one day from his wake up trip ;). This hope applies to all fanatical closed minded people who are there in every imaginable direction.
Also, there is this: when governments, not only deceive, but confuse their publics, the publics, wanting to know the truth as they should but having nothing much to go on, feel themselves caught up in machinations of the powers that be; it is easy to go from here to foolish conspiracy theories.
A very good point. There's no denying that our governments want to keep the truth of what they are doing from us. It's a shame really though that these people end up shutting themselves off from the world around them.
Spot on, man! In simplest terms running on the conveyor belt of conspiracy theories resembles religion... even if you can find lunatics both among religious people and atheists.
The whole mindset escapes clear-cut classification and has more to do with personal psychology IMO!
The ingredients are: mistrust in science or in rational thinking in broader terms, denial of facts, belief in alternative reality, confirmation bias, cognitive closure (very well researched), lack of analytical thinking in favour of far-fetched synthesis, paranoia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and sometimes depression (psychiatric conditions in general).
But it's hardly an effect of radical politics... I am a radical myself, an anarchist, but I couldn't say I fall into the trap of conspiracy mindset... and I don't trust government either, but it doesn't mean I tend to see deep state everywhere!
Absolutely, the similarity between conspiracy theorists and the "religious" groups (although exactly like you said, that includes die-hard atheists as well) is staggering.
I suspect you're right about it having more to do with personal psychology, as with most things in reality nothings clear-cut.
You've hit the nail on the head there buddy, that is definitely what I've experienced with the majority of these people. The lack of analytical thinking and confirmation bias in particular is very common.
I'm with you bud, I don't really have a label for myself, but I have a growing distrust of government and authoritarian ways of thinking, but the reality these people describe... it's terrifying. It truly is, and I feel for them. If they do wholeheartedly believe what they say, then life must be miserable for them. The isolation alone would be enough to send anyone into crazy territory. I'm all for alternative perspectives, and I really want to hear differing opinions to my own... but I have no time for pandering to these groups anymore. I've got bigger things to do!
Thanks for stopping by, it's reassuring to hear that I'm not the only one that feels this way.
They are lunatics! And I also feel sorry for them... I mean it's one thing to completely reject 500 yrs of hard science and much more in terms of rational observation, but it's completely different when you start building theories that are COMPLETELY MAD and can be cut short by 15 minutes of googling things up!
Did you know that flat earthers believe we are surrounded by blocks of ice from all sides and if we break them then we fall into outer space?
It's beyond comprehension, but the worst thing is that you can't even debate with sth like that, cause it's like fuckin' dogma, thus completely immune to argumentation!
And this is the problem! There's no way we can find a common space here! It's total detachment from reality as we know it! It's like a rabbit hole! Different dimension!
That's the bit that gets me, denial in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. I read an interesting article the other day, in a nut shell "social pain" or being told you're wrong hurts just the same as physical pain: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/feb/28/why-being-wrong-really-hurts
Ha, yes I've heard that one, the flatearthers I find particularly amusing. There's a million different ways to prove that they are wrong, but I think even Neil Degrasse Tyson has given up on that one. I read that they accept that Mars and the others planets are round, but it's just Earth for some reason...
Sadly you're right about debating it, I stupidly tried once. If you have a spare few hours and don't mind losing some of your sanity, you can see the results of that encounter here: https://steemit.com/vaccines/@truthtrain/people-want-proof
It's a shame because this backwards thinking needs to be abandoned before we can really start moving forward. They've rejected both the red and blue pills in favour of the black pill!
I like yourpost ...thanks to yourshare
John, an excellent summary of the problem. As we head towards a new cold war, I am fearful that we have an already pliant populace that are easily persuaded by misinformation. When we have 50% of people in the USA convinced that something as patently obvious as vaccines don't work, how are we going to manage when we have real issues to decide over?
Anyway, thank you for a nice summary and I somehow feel less frustrated by trying to talk to these people.
Thank you so much! What you said there exactly sums up my worries about this. To me, this should be becoming less and less of a problem as information technology develops, but that isn't what's happening. I've become convinced that evening engaging with these people is wasting everyone's time, but we can help prevent others from falling into the same traps by countering the spread of misinformation with an alternative perspective.
I don't think the frustration will ever go away, but I can't let it get to me anymore. There are more important things to focus on. Thanks for reading and commenting, it means alot to me.
You just planted 0.31 tree(s)!
Thanks to @johngreenfield
We have planted already 4808.99 trees
out of 1,000,000
Let's save and restore Abongphen Highland Forest
in Cameroonian village Kedjom-Keku!
Plant trees with @treeplanter and get paid for it!
My Steem Power = 18677.79
Thanks a lot!
@martin.mikes coordinator of @kedjom-keku
or maybe we don't believe the non sense that spews out of the media/ education machine any more and can think for ourselves, unafraid to stand apart from the majority manufactured consensus?
consider the fact you may be under the influence of people who don't have your best interests at heart, even for a minute, and that your mind has been closed to any deviation from the prescribed groupthink views.
i'll leave this photo here, if you can explain it i'll be very impressed.
So education is a danger now? And then what, ignorance is the blessing?
is it education, or indoctrination?
shall i start you off with - gulf of tonkin, uss liberty, the history of the federal reserve (and modern banking) ?
or do you already know everything there is to know?
I think I got an education, which apart of absorbing the knowledge is mostly about learning how to critically analyse the facts or any available information to form a conclusion, that's gonna endure falsification.
You weren't really speaking about anything specific, so I assumed you were going for the flat earth theory... but if it's about the economy and casus belli, then it's a different thing entirely!
i mentioned four historical events, none of which are taught in schools. schools are indoctrination centres. education happens when we uncover the truth. you can choose to trust what you were taught first, or keep learning, the choice is yours.
oi, I know this thread is easier, but don't ignore my questions. You're doing exactly what I said you would in this post, picking and choosing your arguments.
Spec for the Lunar TV Camera: https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/WEC-Engineer-3-1968.pdf
I can only imagine you were trying to imply that this still image is proof that Stanley Kubrick faked the moon landing? Apollo 16 as well as Apollo 13, not heard that one yet. Or maybe not, you never actually said. You've left that image there thinking it's some grand evidence supporting your claims, but it really isn't bud.
You are perfectly entitled to your beliefs, I don't understand why you lot get so angry when people don't believe you though. Why not just shrug, slyly smile to yourself knowing that the sheeple shills are being fooled. Why is it that you think I should take your word? Why is my own analytical thinking not good enough? Why do you refuse to let others think how they want to? I have no intention to challenge your points further, as I have already mentioned in this post, it would be wasting both our time.
Another point that I've failed to make so far is that I have Autistic Spectrum Disorder, which means my brain is physically different to yours. I think differently, I experience things differently. Yet you lot are so set on trying to force people into your way of thinking, it's pathetic.
I can only guess that you were so impressed with my response it's left you speechless.
Your Post Has Been Featured on @Resteemable!
Feature any Steemit post using resteemit.com!
How It Works:
1. Take Any Steemit URL
2. Erase
https://3. Type
reGet Featured Instantly & Featured Posts are voted every 2.4hrs
Join the Curation Team Here | Vote Resteemable for Witness
Apologize for the delay, been managing and speaking about Steem at the Steem Creators Conference in Las Vegas, NV all weekend. Expect to be within the the 24-48 hour upvote window in the next 48 hours.
As a friendly reminder, the upvote fee is $0.08 SBD ($0.081 for incognito). Current 300%+ upvote is now $0.24+ SBD.
That being said…
Investors who delegate SP to @thundercurator are entitled to 75% of @thundercurator income after curation. Get on-board early and grow with us!
Any idea where the term conspiracy theory originated?
Yeah I know where the term "conspiracy theory" comes from bud, it originated the same way as most english words and phrases, organically and over time. I've found examples of the term being used as far back as the 1870s. You make the claim that the CIA promoted the term to mainstream media, but have no proof. What made you come to that conclusion? Was it perhaps reading Lance deHaven-Smith’s 2013 book Conspiracy Theory in America?
I've been waiting for someone to bring up JFK, as I have my own thing to say about that. I do not believe that there was a second gunman, or that oswald was working for the CIA, however there certainly is evidence of a cover-up of sorts. Experts have completely disproven the "grassy knoll" theory with regards to a second shooter. There is something in it, however, for anyone other than the very best investigators to have any chance of figuring it all out, you all need to stop speculating and shouting your beliefs from the digital rooftops. There is so much utter guff, that any nuggets of truth can't be found. I've read up on every single conspiracy theory I come across, every single one. I want to believe, so so bad, but the burden of proof falls upon the people making the extraordinary claims. In fact, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. I do not make claims, I do not claim to have the answers, and anyone who does is a fraud and a con man.
Maybe @wizardave you could wave your magic wand and summon some actual evidence for your claims.
There is a problem with this site in general, and that's that people do not understand how to cite sources, or even what a reputable source is.
Also, this is just me being a bit of a grammar nazi, but there's no need to nest your bullet points like that.