Are we living in a golden age of conspiracy theories?

[Coyote]

Interesting article, worth a read:


Why conspiracy theories are getting more absurd and harder to refute

Why conspiracy theories are getting more absurd and harder to refute
“Democracy requires a minimum amount of mutual trust among citizens, and conspiracism destroys it.”

Are we living in a golden age of conspiracy theories?

That’s the argument Harvard politics professor Nancy L. Rosenblum makes in her new book, A Lot of People Are Saying. And it’s not merely that conspiracy theories are thriving — they’re also getting more absurd, less substantive, and harder to refute.

In fact, what we’re seeing now, according to Rosenblum and her co-author Russell Muirhead, is more “conspiracism” and less theory. Which is to say, the purpose of conspiracy theories is no longer to explain reality or offer some account of the world; instead, the point is to erode trust in public figures or institutions.

She points to the recent Pizzagate conspiracy as a perfect example. This was a fake news story alleging that Hillary Clinton and her former campaign chair, John Podesta, ran a child sex ring in the basement of a pizzeria in Washington, DC. It was totally fabricated, but it proliferated enough online that a man eventually showed up at the restaurant with an assault rifle and fired at least one shot.

Rosenblum believes this new form of conspiracism amounts to a direct attack on the foundations of liberal democracy and what she calls “knowledge-producing institutions.” As conspiracism takes root in our politics, she says, we lose our capacity to deliberate about the direction of the country. And ultimately, democracy itself becomes impossible.

 

[ABikerSailor]

Well, in an age when people can put up a vlog, blog, YouTube video, or whatever else they use to spread their wacky theories, you're gonna get a lot of them.

In the old days, the loons had to type something up, run off a whole bunch of copies and distribute them via mail or by hand. The crazies back then had to work a whole lot harder to spread their bullshit.

Nowadays? Any loon with a computer or smart phone can post whatever bullshit they want, and they can reach a whole lot more people in an instant. And, there are other loons who are looking for validation for their bullshit, which is why they do an internet search for people who think like they do, and spread the crap down the line.

You're right. This is a golden age for conspiracy theories.

And, that's not the only place the nutjobs are spreading their lunacy, messageboards have their fair share of conspiracy loons as well. Just look at some of the posters on here.

 

[Rambunctious]

The public education system and the web are to blame....

 

[hjmick]

If you drop in on the Conspiracy Theories forum on thing is for sure... MindWarts is definitely living in an age of conspiracy theories...

 

[ABikerSailor]

If you drop in on the Conspiracy Theories forum on thing is for sure... MindWarts is definitely living in an age of conspiracy theories...

See? This is a prime example of what I was talking about. Alex Jones starts it by coming up with whatever wild thing he thinks is happening. People like MindWarts (I like your nickname for her by the way), who are desperate to find validation for THEIR weird bullshit do a Google search, and Info Wars is a top search result. MindWarts reads the conspiracies being spewed by Jones, and then she uses Info Wars as a way to validate her bullshit. She did that long enough apparently, to think that Jones is a reliable journalist, which is why she starts many of her threads with a link to his site.

 

[fncceo]

Conspiracy theories are great. The give you the sense that you know more than everyone else, without ever bothering to learn anything.

Being in on a conspiracy theory is the mental equivalent of losing weight without diet or exercise.

 

[ABikerSailor]

Conspiracy theories are great. The give you the sense that you know more than everyone else, without ever bothering to learn anything.

Being in on a conspiracy theory is the mental equivalent of losing weight without diet or exercise.

Actually, I would think that being in on a conspiracy theory is more like thinking the 32 oz. diet soda you are having with your meal will counteract the Big Mac, large order of fries, and 2 hot apple pies that you ate for lunch.

 

[petro]

Yes.
I agree with the OP.

The whole Russian one was a whopper.

 

[impuretrash]

Nancy Rosenblum had plenty to say about Pizzagate and Qanaon but when asked about left wing conspiracy theories she said she couldn't think of a single one that turned out to be untrue. And she wonders why people's trust in "intellectual elite establishment" figures such as herself is at an all time low.

 

[Crepitus]

Interesting article, worth a read:


Why conspiracy theories are getting more absurd and harder to refute

Why conspiracy theories are getting more absurd and harder to refute
“Democracy requires a minimum amount of mutual trust among citizens, and conspiracism destroys it.”

Are we living in a golden age of conspiracy theories?

That’s the argument Harvard politics professor Nancy L. Rosenblum makes in her new book, A Lot of People Are Saying. And it’s not merely that conspiracy theories are thriving — they’re also getting more absurd, less substantive, and harder to refute.

In fact, what we’re seeing now, according to Rosenblum and her co-author Russell Muirhead, is more “conspiracism” and less theory. Which is to say, the purpose of conspiracy theories is no longer to explain reality or offer some account of the world; instead, the point is to erode trust in public figures or institutions.

She points to the recent Pizzagate conspiracy as a perfect example. This was a fake news story alleging that Hillary Clinton and her former campaign chair, John Podesta, ran a child sex ring in the basement of a pizzeria in Washington, DC. It was totally fabricated, but it proliferated enough online that a man eventually showed up at the restaurant with an assault rifle and fired at least one shot.

Rosenblum believes this new form of conspiracism amounts to a direct attack on the foundations of liberal democracy and what she calls “knowledge-producing institutions.” As conspiracism takes root in our politics, she says, we lose our capacity to deliberate about the direction of the country. And ultimately, democracy itself becomes impossible.

I don't believe it. It must be a conspiracy theory.

Kidding!

 

[Rocko]

Stupid people need the world to make sense to them in some oversimplified way, hence conspiracy theory is a booming business.

 

[Lewdog]

Interesting article, worth a read:


Why conspiracy theories are getting more absurd and harder to refute

Why conspiracy theories are getting more absurd and harder to refute
“Democracy requires a minimum amount of mutual trust among citizens, and conspiracism destroys it.”

Are we living in a golden age of conspiracy theories?

That’s the argument Harvard politics professor Nancy L. Rosenblum makes in her new book, A Lot of People Are Saying. And it’s not merely that conspiracy theories are thriving — they’re also getting more absurd, less substantive, and harder to refute.

In fact, what we’re seeing now, according to Rosenblum and her co-author Russell Muirhead, is more “conspiracism” and less theory. Which is to say, the purpose of conspiracy theories is no longer to explain reality or offer some account of the world; instead, the point is to erode trust in public figures or institutions.

She points to the recent Pizzagate conspiracy as a perfect example. This was a fake news story alleging that Hillary Clinton and her former campaign chair, John Podesta, ran a child sex ring in the basement of a pizzeria in Washington, DC. It was totally fabricated, but it proliferated enough online that a man eventually showed up at the restaurant with an assault rifle and fired at least one shot.

Rosenblum believes this new form of conspiracism amounts to a direct attack on the foundations of liberal democracy and what she calls “knowledge-producing institutions.” As conspiracism takes root in our politics, she says, we lose our capacity to deliberate about the direction of the country. And ultimately, democracy itself becomes impossible.

We live in an age that through the internet a lot of people can try to make things look legit that are not.

 

[22lcidw]

Interesting article, worth a read:


Why conspiracy theories are getting more absurd and harder to refute

Why conspiracy theories are getting more absurd and harder to refute
“Democracy requires a minimum amount of mutual trust among citizens, and conspiracism destroys it.”

Are we living in a golden age of conspiracy theories?

That’s the argument Harvard politics professor Nancy L. Rosenblum makes in her new book, A Lot of People Are Saying. And it’s not merely that conspiracy theories are thriving — they’re also getting more absurd, less substantive, and harder to refute.

In fact, what we’re seeing now, according to Rosenblum and her co-author Russell Muirhead, is more “conspiracism” and less theory. Which is to say, the purpose of conspiracy theories is no longer to explain reality or offer some account of the world; instead, the point is to erode trust in public figures or institutions.

She points to the recent Pizzagate conspiracy as a perfect example. This was a fake news story alleging that Hillary Clinton and her former campaign chair, John Podesta, ran a child sex ring in the basement of a pizzeria in Washington, DC. It was totally fabricated, but it proliferated enough online that a man eventually showed up at the restaurant with an assault rifle and fired at least one shot.

Rosenblum believes this new form of conspiracism amounts to a direct attack on the foundations of liberal democracy and what she calls “knowledge-producing institutions.” As conspiracism takes root in our politics, she says, we lose our capacity to deliberate about the direction of the country. And ultimately, democracy itself becomes impossible.

We are living in an age where some of those are true but are mixed with others that are not. I do not ever trust left wing secular commies for anything.

 

[Olde Europe]

Interesting article, worth a read:


Why conspiracy theories are getting more absurd and harder to refute

It's a strident warning, and it's well warranted.

Still, I am discontented for a number of reasons.

First, if there isn't a theory, if it doesn't even try to explain a thing, if it doesn't at least mention conspirators who brought about a real-world event, it isn't a conspiracy theory. "Pizzagate" was slander, pure and simple.

Second, I am also not convinced that this is in any way a golden age of conspiracy theories. It sure isn't unique. Just remember "World Jewry sucking the life blood out of the Aryan nation", to explain the hardships, financial and war-caused, that befell the Weimar Republic. It's kind of hard to top that in scope and consequence. And that came immediately after the "back stabbing" of the German army allegedly responsible for the loss of WW I.

Third, and while Nancy's most important insight probably is the systematic attempts at undermining “knowledge-producing institutions,” this, too, is only tenuously related to conspiracy theories. It is also, sad to say, nothing new. Read Richard Hofstadter's "Anti-Intellectualism in American Life", a veritable eye-opener. Undermining academia, the press, the courts removes not just trust but accountability as well, and that's the main point: In case a party is ideologically hell-bent on aims that are going to do great harm to a nation, they need to make sure that no one listens to those who would eventually have to gather the data on it all, systematize and analyze them, and finally point it all out - that is, the press, academia, and the courts.

Again, conspiracy theories might play a role - see the grand conspiracy theory created to discredit climate science - mostly it's just bible thumping, alternative facts, pseudo science (Laffer and cohorts), racist / White nationalist theorizing (Bannon, Miller and cohorts), and plain slander (judge of Mexican extraction cannot judge, etc.).

Fourth, if Nancy actually believes the conspiracy nonsense would just go away in case the conservatives up there in the food chain would point out that the conspiracy bullshit is actually bullshit, I fear she seriously misjudges what's going on. Folks, I fear, alleviate fundamental fears with their conspiracy nonsense, and are at least starting to tie their very identity to that nonsense, like, "they're coming after our guns" as the rallying cry and part of the identity of the 2nd Amendment crowd. That won't go away, not for a long time.

So yes, Nancy is on to something, no doubt, and she perceptively points to quite a few very troubling developments, but I find the theoretical concept wanting.

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

Interesting article, worth a read:


Why conspiracy theories are getting more absurd and harder to refute

Why conspiracy theories are getting more absurd and harder to refute
“Democracy requires a minimum amount of mutual trust among citizens, and conspiracism destroys it.”

Are we living in a golden age of conspiracy theories?

That’s the argument Harvard politics professor Nancy L. Rosenblum makes in her new book, A Lot of People Are Saying. And it’s not merely that conspiracy theories are thriving — they’re also getting more absurd, less substantive, and harder to refute.

In fact, what we’re seeing now, according to Rosenblum and her co-author Russell Muirhead, is more “conspiracism” and less theory. Which is to say, the purpose of conspiracy theories is no longer to explain reality or offer some account of the world; instead, the point is to erode trust in public figures or institutions.

She points to the recent Pizzagate conspiracy as a perfect example. This was a fake news story alleging that Hillary Clinton and her former campaign chair, John Podesta, ran a child sex ring in the basement of a pizzeria in Washington, DC. It was totally fabricated, but it proliferated enough online that a man eventually showed up at the restaurant with an assault rifle and fired at least one shot.

Rosenblum believes this new form of conspiracism amounts to a direct attack on the foundations of liberal democracy and what she calls “knowledge-producing institutions.” As conspiracism takes root in our politics, she says, we lose our capacity to deliberate about the direction of the country. And ultimately, democracy itself becomes impossible.

We are living in an age where some of those are true but are mixed with others that are not. I do not ever trust left wing secular commies for anything.

It’s important to understand that conservatives who contrive and propagate conspiracy theories don’t believe the conspiracies they’re trying to spread.

Rightwing conspiracy theorists aren’t trying to convince anyone of anything, they’re working to sow the seeds of discord, distrust, and divide the American people to realize some perceived partisan advantage.

And rightwing consumers of conspiracy theories likewise don’t believe what’s being propagated; their task is to continue to spread the lies and misinformation to create greater political and social instability.

 

[fncceo]

Rightwing conspiracy theorists aren’t trying to convince anyone of anything, they’re working to sow the seeds of discord, distrust, and divide the American people to realize some perceived partisan advantage

Sounds like a conspiracy to me.

 

[percysunshine]

Interesting article, worth a read:


Why conspiracy theories are getting more absurd and harder to refute

Why conspiracy theories are getting more absurd and harder to refute
“Democracy requires a minimum amount of mutual trust among citizens, and conspiracism destroys it.”

Are we living in a golden age of conspiracy theories?

That’s the argument Harvard politics professor Nancy L. Rosenblum makes in her new book, A Lot of People Are Saying. And it’s not merely that conspiracy theories are thriving — they’re also getting more absurd, less substantive, and harder to refute.

In fact, what we’re seeing now, according to Rosenblum and her co-author Russell Muirhead, is more “conspiracism” and less theory. Which is to say, the purpose of conspiracy theories is no longer to explain reality or offer some account of the world; instead, the point is to erode trust in public figures or institutions.

She points to the recent Pizzagate conspiracy as a perfect example. This was a fake news story alleging that Hillary Clinton and her former campaign chair, John Podesta, ran a child sex ring in the basement of a pizzeria in Washington, DC. It was totally fabricated, but it proliferated enough online that a man eventually showed up at the restaurant with an assault rifle and fired at least one shot.

Rosenblum believes this new form of conspiracism amounts to a direct attack on the foundations of liberal democracy and what she calls “knowledge-producing institutions.” As conspiracism takes root in our politics, she says, we lose our capacity to deliberate about the direction of the country. And ultimately, democracy itself becomes impossible.

Well, the root word of the word ‘Conspiracy’, is the word ‘Pirate’.

This is all Ringel05 ’s fault...

 

[candycorn]

Interesting article, worth a read:


Why conspiracy theories are getting more absurd and harder to refute

Why conspiracy theories are getting more absurd and harder to refute
“Democracy requires a minimum amount of mutual trust among citizens, and conspiracism destroys it.”

Are we living in a golden age of conspiracy theories?

That’s the argument Harvard politics professor Nancy L. Rosenblum makes in her new book, A Lot of People Are Saying. And it’s not merely that conspiracy theories are thriving — they’re also getting more absurd, less substantive, and harder to refute.

In fact, what we’re seeing now, according to Rosenblum and her co-author Russell Muirhead, is more “conspiracism” and less theory. Which is to say, the purpose of conspiracy theories is no longer to explain reality or offer some account of the world; instead, the point is to erode trust in public figures or institutions.

She points to the recent Pizzagate conspiracy as a perfect example. This was a fake news story alleging that Hillary Clinton and her former campaign chair, John Podesta, ran a child sex ring in the basement of a pizzeria in Washington, DC. It was totally fabricated, but it proliferated enough online that a man eventually showed up at the restaurant with an assault rifle and fired at least one shot.

Rosenblum believes this new form of conspiracism amounts to a direct attack on the foundations of liberal democracy and what she calls “knowledge-producing institutions.” As conspiracism takes root in our politics, she says, we lose our capacity to deliberate about the direction of the country. And ultimately, democracy itself becomes impossible.

Our President is a conspiracy theorist. He validated the ramblings of these sad sad people for their support

 

[OldLady]

Interesting article, worth a read:


Why conspiracy theories are getting more absurd and harder to refute

Why conspiracy theories are getting more absurd and harder to refute
“Democracy requires a minimum amount of mutual trust among citizens, and conspiracism destroys it.”

Are we living in a golden age of conspiracy theories?

That’s the argument Harvard politics professor Nancy L. Rosenblum makes in her new book, A Lot of People Are Saying. And it’s not merely that conspiracy theories are thriving — they’re also getting more absurd, less substantive, and harder to refute.

In fact, what we’re seeing now, according to Rosenblum and her co-author Russell Muirhead, is more “conspiracism” and less theory. Which is to say, the purpose of conspiracy theories is no longer to explain reality or offer some account of the world; instead, the point is to erode trust in public figures or institutions.

She points to the recent Pizzagate conspiracy as a perfect example. This was a fake news story alleging that Hillary Clinton and her former campaign chair, John Podesta, ran a child sex ring in the basement of a pizzeria in Washington, DC. It was totally fabricated, but it proliferated enough online that a man eventually showed up at the restaurant with an assault rifle and fired at least one shot.

Rosenblum believes this new form of conspiracism amounts to a direct attack on the foundations of liberal democracy and what she calls “knowledge-producing institutions.” As conspiracism takes root in our politics, she says, we lose our capacity to deliberate about the direction of the country. And ultimately, democracy itself becomes impossible.

And the Russians win.

 

[sparky]

IMHO, CT's flourish in an Orwellian run populace lousy with cognitive dissonance ~S~