Conspiracy Theories and Paranoia

[Jeddahite]

It amazes me that so many people buy into the conspiracy theories that abound in our culture: Obama is going to take away your guns; no shooting occurred at Sandy Hook and it, like 9/11 are "false flags"; thousands of Muslims celebrated 9/11 in New Jersey; the Jade Helm military operation that took place last summer was going to impose martial law, etc., etc., etc. Why are these theories so popular? I think there are several reasons: 1. They give people something to focus their vague frustrations on. They may not be able to articulate why they're angry or unhappy, but a conspiracy is a "thing". 2. They feel privileged to have special knowledge, secret knowledge, that the average person, or someone they disagree with doesn't have. They're "in the know" and the rest of us are ignorant of what's really going on. 3. Fighting this conspiracy gives them a purpose in life. It gives them an identity, a reason for being, as the French say, raison d'etre. 4. Maybe it's just fun to flout conventional wisdom. But when a conspiracy theory leads to paranoia, then it goes over the line from silliness to pathological and becomes dangerous for the person involved and the public at large.

 

[Freewill]

It amazes me that so many people buy into the conspiracy theories that abound in our culture: Obama is going to take away your guns; no shooting occurred at Sandy Hook and it, like 9/11 are "false flags"; thousands of Muslims celebrated 9/11 in New Jersey; the Jade Helm military operation that took place last summer was going to impose martial law, etc., etc., etc. Why are these theories so popular? I think there are several reasons: 1. They give people something to focus their vague frustrations on. They may not be able to articulate why they're angry or unhappy, but a conspiracy is a "thing". 2. They feel privileged to have special knowledge, secret knowledge, that the average person, or someone they disagree with doesn't have. They're "in the know" and the rest of us are ignorant of what's really going on. 3. Fighting this conspiracy gives them a purpose in life. It gives them an identity, a reason for being, as the French say, raison d'etre. 4. Maybe it's just fun to flout conventional wisdom. But when a conspiracy theory leads to paranoia, then it goes over the line from silliness to pathological and becomes dangerous for the person involved and the public at large.

As an ex-union offical let me give you my take on human nature. Your 5 year old is quietly playing on the floor not causing an inch of problems. What do you do? You maintain the status quo, or at least that is what most parents would do. But the 5 year old gets bored so he starts throwing a tantrum to which you now have to intervene. He see an award for throwing the tantrum and a cycle has begun.

This is why, in my opinion, I saw many union members doing very well but bitchin' as if the company was trying to drive them to the poor house. They are just repeating the behavior learned many years ago.

 

[jwoodie]

It amazes me that so many people buy into the conspiracy theories that abound in our culture: Obama is going to take away your guns; no shooting occurred at Sandy Hook and it, like 9/11 are "false flags"; thousands of Muslims celebrated 9/11 in New Jersey; the Jade Helm military operation that took place last summer was going to impose martial law, etc., etc., etc. Why are these theories so popular? I think there are several reasons: 1. They give people something to focus their vague frustrations on. They may not be able to articulate why they're angry or unhappy, but a conspiracy is a "thing". 2. They feel privileged to have special knowledge, secret knowledge, that the average person, or someone they disagree with doesn't have. They're "in the know" and the rest of us are ignorant of what's really going on. 3. Fighting this conspiracy gives them a purpose in life. It gives them an identity, a reason for being, as the French say, raison d'etre. 4. Maybe it's just fun to flout conventional wisdom. But when a conspiracy theory leads to paranoia, then it goes over the line from silliness to pathological and becomes dangerous for the person involved and the public at large.

LOL, your post is the best example.

P.S. DNC Talking Points is not a legitimate source of information.

 

[DonaldFG]

It amazes me that so many people buy into the conspiracy theories that abound in our culture: Obama is going to take away your guns; no shooting occurred at Sandy Hook and it, like 9/11 are "false flags"; thousands of Muslims celebrated 9/11 in New Jersey; the Jade Helm military operation that took place last summer was going to impose martial law, etc., etc., etc. Why are these theories so popular? I think there are several reasons: 1. They give people something to focus their vague frustrations on. They may not be able to articulate why they're angry or unhappy, but a conspiracy is a "thing". 2. They feel privileged to have special knowledge, secret knowledge, that the average person, or someone they disagree with doesn't have. They're "in the know" and the rest of us are ignorant of what's really going on. 3. Fighting this conspiracy gives them a purpose in life. It gives them an identity, a reason for being, as the French say, raison d'etre. 4. Maybe it's just fun to flout conventional wisdom. But when a conspiracy theory leads to paranoia, then it goes over the line from silliness to pathological and becomes dangerous for the person involved and the public at large.

The thing is that there is a lot of bad stuff going on in the world - a lot. And it is all unnecessary! The reason it continues is that people who are not directly involved would rather just ignore it. New technologies are making the bad stuff harder to ignore as the virtual world shrinks around us.

What can we do to make the world a better place for everyone? We all need to take an interest in what is causing all the trouble. (Note: Our media will not tell you the cause; you have to research it since they usually do not.) Each event needs to be understood by everyone so we can work together to prevent this from happening again - over and over. The old saying that, "If we don't learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it" is and continues to be profound.

There is a reason conspiracy theories take root. A little knowledge for some is a conspiracy to others. And a little knowledge is insufficient to understand an issue. Another old saying falls on its face - ignorance is bliss.

 

[PredFan]

First of all, not everything that could be called a conspiracy theory is bogus. For instance the Democrats have a theory that the majority of Americans want strict gun control but the NRA, which is mostly financed by the gun manufacturers are preventing this from happening in Congress.

That is the conspiracy they believe and since they have no proof, it's simply a theory.

It is ignorant for people to claim that conspiracy theories are believed by kooks alone. Yes there are some out there that we all know to be ridiculous but many are called ridiculous when they aren't. The OP have two examples that she claimed were silly but aren't at all.

The left US planning on taking away guns, there is little doubt about that, and a lot of people celebrated 9-11 in New Jersey, that was an exaggeration and not a kook theory.

You people need an education.

 

[DigitalDrifter]

So how many Americans does the OP believes do NOT believe Sandy Hook really occurred the way it was explained, and believe that thousands of New Jersey Muslims applauded 9/11 ?

 

[ranfunck]

Its to bad some people only believe what they are told by mainstream media and the government. They are not telling the truth.
Astroturf: Mainstream media brainwashing of the public

 

[Jeddahite]

First of all, not everything that could be called a conspiracy theory is bogus. For instance the Democrats have a theory that the majority of Americans want strict gun control but the NRA, which is mostly financed by the gun manufacturers are preventing this from happening in Congress.

That is the conspiracy they believe and since they have no proof, it's simply a theory.

It is ignorant for people to claim that conspiracy theories are believed by kooks alone. Yes there are some out there that we all know to be ridiculous but many are called ridiculous when they aren't. The OP have two examples that she claimed were silly but aren't at all.

The left US planning on taking away guns, there is little doubt about that, and a lot of people celebrated 9-11 in New Jersey, that was an exaggeration and not a kook theory.

You people need an education.

Polls show most Americans want better gun control. You'll discount that and say it's made up by the media. No arguing with people like you. Your only argument is "Nuh uh!"

 

[Tehon]

It amazes me that so many people buy into the conspiracy theories that abound in our culture: Obama is going to take away your guns; no shooting occurred at Sandy Hook and it, like 9/11 are "false flags"; thousands of Muslims celebrated 9/11 in New Jersey; the Jade Helm military operation that took place last summer was going to impose martial law, etc., etc., etc. Why are these theories so popular? I think there are several reasons: 1. They give people something to focus their vague frustrations on. They may not be able to articulate why they're angry or unhappy, but a conspiracy is a "thing". 2. They feel privileged to have special knowledge, secret knowledge, that the average person, or someone they disagree with doesn't have. They're "in the know" and the rest of us are ignorant of what's really going on. 3. Fighting this conspiracy gives them a purpose in life. It gives them an identity, a reason for being, as the French say, raison d'etre. 4. Maybe it's just fun to flout conventional wisdom. But when a conspiracy theory leads to paranoia, then it goes over the line from silliness to pathological and becomes dangerous for the person involved and the public at large.

5. People are distrustful of the government and its accomplice, the media.

It is no secret (conspiracy theory) that we are propagandized ceaselessly, in many facets of our lives, by many different conspirators. It doesn't seem that unreasonable for "so many people to buy into the conspiracy theories" given the amount of propaganda we are inundated with.

 

[ranfunck]

First of all, not everything that could be called a conspiracy theory is bogus. For instance the Democrats have a theory that the majority of Americans want strict gun control but the NRA, which is mostly financed by the gun manufacturers are preventing this from happening in Congress.

That is the conspiracy they believe and since they have no proof, it's simply a theory.

It is ignorant for people to claim that conspiracy theories are believed by kooks alone. Yes there are some out there that we all know to be ridiculous but many are called ridiculous when they aren't. The OP have two examples that she claimed were silly but aren't at all.

The left US planning on taking away guns, there is little doubt about that, and a lot of people celebrated 9-11 in New Jersey, that was an exaggeration and not a kook theory.

You people need an education.

Polls show most Americans want better gun control. You'll discount that and say it's made up by the media. No arguing with people like you. Your only argument is "Nuh uh!"

There is no arguing about this fraud and the media spin of lies.

 

[MACAULAY]

The O.P. was a hard read...I got out of it that us Heartland folks just....."cling to our guns and religion".... a long winded regurgitation of Obama's horseshit, except at least he had the merit of brevity.

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

"Why are these theories so popular?"

They are popular mostly among conservatives, consistent with rightwing politics of fear.

 

[Skylar]

It amazes me that so many people buy into the conspiracy theories that abound in our culture: Obama is going to take away your guns; no shooting occurred at Sandy Hook and it, like 9/11 are "false flags"; thousands of Muslims celebrated 9/11 in New Jersey; the Jade Helm military operation that took place last summer was going to impose martial law, etc., etc., etc. Why are these theories so popular? I think there are several reasons: 1. They give people something to focus their vague frustrations on. They may not be able to articulate why they're angry or unhappy, but a conspiracy is a "thing". 2. They feel privileged to have special knowledge, secret knowledge, that the average person, or someone they disagree with doesn't have. They're "in the know" and the rest of us are ignorant of what's really going on. 3. Fighting this conspiracy gives them a purpose in life. It gives them an identity, a reason for being, as the French say, raison d'etre. 4. Maybe it's just fun to flout conventional wisdom. But when a conspiracy theory leads to paranoia, then it goes over the line from silliness to pathological and becomes dangerous for the person involved and the public at large.

Conspiracy theories play one of two roles. And sometimes both.

1) It reinforces what one already believes by creating a fantastically elaborate narrative that says what you think. Its the delusional cousin of Confirmation Bias. Where Confirmation Bias has you ignoring what you don't agree with and only recognizing what you do.....conspiracy theories have you inventing your own evidence.

2) It comforts those who find their conspiracy far less frightening than the idea of randomness and chaos, providing them with a sense of control. 19 guys on planes being able to take down the entire WTC complex is far more terrifying to them than some vast international conspiracy involving everyone from the FDNY to the US government to the Port Authority janitorial staff. Because if some vast conspiracy 'shadow government' planned and executed the attacks....that means someone is in control. And they'd rather imagine their own boogeymen being in control than recognize that there is a degree of randomness and chance beyond our control in the world.

 

[ranfunck]

It amazes me that so many people buy into the conspiracy theories that abound in our culture: Obama is going to take away your guns; no shooting occurred at Sandy Hook and it, like 9/11 are "false flags"; thousands of Muslims celebrated 9/11 in New Jersey; the Jade Helm military operation that took place last summer was going to impose martial law, etc., etc., etc. Why are these theories so popular? I think there are several reasons: 1. They give people something to focus their vague frustrations on. They may not be able to articulate why they're angry or unhappy, but a conspiracy is a "thing". 2. They feel privileged to have special knowledge, secret knowledge, that the average person, or someone they disagree with doesn't have. They're "in the know" and the rest of us are ignorant of what's really going on. 3. Fighting this conspiracy gives them a purpose in life. It gives them an identity, a reason for being, as the French say, raison d'etre. 4. Maybe it's just fun to flout conventional wisdom. But when a conspiracy theory leads to paranoia, then it goes over the line from silliness to pathological and becomes dangerous for the person involved and the public at large.

Conspiracy theories play one of two roles. And sometimes both.

1) It reinforces what one already believes by creating a fantastically elaborate narrative that says what you think. Its the delusional cousin of Confirmation Bias. Where Confirmation Bias has you ignoring what you don't agree with and only recognizing what you do.....conspiracy theories have you inventing your own evidence.

2) It comforts those who find their conspiracy far less frightening than the idea of randomness and chaos, providing them with a sense of control. 19 guys on planes being able to take down the entire WTC complex is far more terrifying to them than some vast international conspiracy involving everyone from the FDNY to the US government to the Port Authority janitorial staff. Because if some vast conspiracy 'shadow government' planned and executed the attacks....that means someone is in control. And they'd rather imagine their own boogeymen being in control than recognize that there is a degree of randomness and chance beyond our control in the world.

You can not say this guy is not a fraud, if the government and media try and pass this off as a rill event then there is no telling what they will do.

 

[Skylar]

It amazes me that so many people buy into the conspiracy theories that abound in our culture: Obama is going to take away your guns; no shooting occurred at Sandy Hook and it, like 9/11 are "false flags"; thousands of Muslims celebrated 9/11 in New Jersey; the Jade Helm military operation that took place last summer was going to impose martial law, etc., etc., etc. Why are these theories so popular? I think there are several reasons: 1. They give people something to focus their vague frustrations on. They may not be able to articulate why they're angry or unhappy, but a conspiracy is a "thing". 2. They feel privileged to have special knowledge, secret knowledge, that the average person, or someone they disagree with doesn't have. They're "in the know" and the rest of us are ignorant of what's really going on. 3. Fighting this conspiracy gives them a purpose in life. It gives them an identity, a reason for being, as the French say, raison d'etre. 4. Maybe it's just fun to flout conventional wisdom. But when a conspiracy theory leads to paranoia, then it goes over the line from silliness to pathological and becomes dangerous for the person involved and the public at large.

Conspiracy theories play one of two roles. And sometimes both.

1) It reinforces what one already believes by creating a fantastically elaborate narrative that says what you think. Its the delusional cousin of Confirmation Bias. Where Confirmation Bias has you ignoring what you don't agree with and only recognizing what you do.....conspiracy theories have you inventing your own evidence.

2) It comforts those who find their conspiracy far less frightening than the idea of randomness and chaos, providing them with a sense of control. 19 guys on planes being able to take down the entire WTC complex is far more terrifying to them than some vast international conspiracy involving everyone from the FDNY to the US government to the Port Authority janitorial staff. Because if some vast conspiracy 'shadow government' planned and executed the attacks....that means someone is in control. And they'd rather imagine their own boogeymen being in control than recognize that there is a degree of randomness and chance beyond our control in the world.

You can not say this guy is not a fraud, if the government and media try and pass this off as a rill event then there is no telling what they will do.

Ah, the 'New World Order'. The conspiracy Rorschach test. With it taking whatever form and whatever agenda that confirms your bias.

 

[westwall]

First of all, not everything that could be called a conspiracy theory is bogus. For instance the Democrats have a theory that the majority of Americans want strict gun control but the NRA, which is mostly financed by the gun manufacturers are preventing this from happening in Congress.

That is the conspiracy they believe and since they have no proof, it's simply a theory.

It is ignorant for people to claim that conspiracy theories are believed by kooks alone. Yes there are some out there that we all know to be ridiculous but many are called ridiculous when they aren't. The OP have two examples that she claimed were silly but aren't at all.

The left US planning on taking away guns, there is little doubt about that, and a lot of people celebrated 9-11 in New Jersey, that was an exaggeration and not a kook theory.

You people need an education.

Polls show most Americans want better gun control. You'll discount that and say it's made up by the media. No arguing with people like you. Your only argument is "Nuh uh!"

Polls that are biased and promulgated by biased "researchers" are not valid. Try again...

 

[ranfunck]

It amazes me that so many people buy into the conspiracy theories that abound in our culture: Obama is going to take away your guns; no shooting occurred at Sandy Hook and it, like 9/11 are "false flags"; thousands of Muslims celebrated 9/11 in New Jersey; the Jade Helm military operation that took place last summer was going to impose martial law, etc., etc., etc. Why are these theories so popular? I think there are several reasons: 1. They give people something to focus their vague frustrations on. They may not be able to articulate why they're angry or unhappy, but a conspiracy is a "thing". 2. They feel privileged to have special knowledge, secret knowledge, that the average person, or someone they disagree with doesn't have. They're "in the know" and the rest of us are ignorant of what's really going on. 3. Fighting this conspiracy gives them a purpose in life. It gives them an identity, a reason for being, as the French say, raison d'etre. 4. Maybe it's just fun to flout conventional wisdom. But when a conspiracy theory leads to paranoia, then it goes over the line from silliness to pathological and becomes dangerous for the person involved and the public at large.

Conspiracy theories play one of two roles. And sometimes both.

1) It reinforces what one already believes by creating a fantastically elaborate narrative that says what you think. Its the delusional cousin of Confirmation Bias. Where Confirmation Bias has you ignoring what you don't agree with and only recognizing what you do.....conspiracy theories have you inventing your own evidence.

2) It comforts those who find their conspiracy far less frightening than the idea of randomness and chaos, providing them with a sense of control. 19 guys on planes being able to take down the entire WTC complex is far more terrifying to them than some vast international conspiracy involving everyone from the FDNY to the US government to the Port Authority janitorial staff. Because if some vast conspiracy 'shadow government' planned and executed the attacks....that means someone is in control. And they'd rather imagine their own boogeymen being in control than recognize that there is a degree of randomness and chance beyond our control in the world.

You can not say this guy is not a fraud, if the government and media try and pass this off as a rill event then there is no telling what they will do.

Ah, the 'New World Order'. The conspiracy Rorschach test. With it taking whatever form and whatever agenda that confirms your bias.

Just as I thought nothing intelligent to say.

 

[Skylar]

It amazes me that so many people buy into the conspiracy theories that abound in our culture: Obama is going to take away your guns; no shooting occurred at Sandy Hook and it, like 9/11 are "false flags"; thousands of Muslims celebrated 9/11 in New Jersey; the Jade Helm military operation that took place last summer was going to impose martial law, etc., etc., etc. Why are these theories so popular? I think there are several reasons: 1. They give people something to focus their vague frustrations on. They may not be able to articulate why they're angry or unhappy, but a conspiracy is a "thing". 2. They feel privileged to have special knowledge, secret knowledge, that the average person, or someone they disagree with doesn't have. They're "in the know" and the rest of us are ignorant of what's really going on. 3. Fighting this conspiracy gives them a purpose in life. It gives them an identity, a reason for being, as the French say, raison d'etre. 4. Maybe it's just fun to flout conventional wisdom. But when a conspiracy theory leads to paranoia, then it goes over the line from silliness to pathological and becomes dangerous for the person involved and the public at large.

Conspiracy theories play one of two roles. And sometimes both.

1) It reinforces what one already believes by creating a fantastically elaborate narrative that says what you think. Its the delusional cousin of Confirmation Bias. Where Confirmation Bias has you ignoring what you don't agree with and only recognizing what you do.....conspiracy theories have you inventing your own evidence.

2) It comforts those who find their conspiracy far less frightening than the idea of randomness and chaos, providing them with a sense of control. 19 guys on planes being able to take down the entire WTC complex is far more terrifying to them than some vast international conspiracy involving everyone from the FDNY to the US government to the Port Authority janitorial staff. Because if some vast conspiracy 'shadow government' planned and executed the attacks....that means someone is in control. And they'd rather imagine their own boogeymen being in control than recognize that there is a degree of randomness and chance beyond our control in the world.

You can not say this guy is not a fraud, if the government and media try and pass this off as a rill event then there is no telling what they will do.

Ah, the 'New World Order'. The conspiracy Rorschach test. With it taking whatever form and whatever agenda that confirms your bias.

Just as I thought nothing intelligent to say.

If you have an argument to make, make it. But the moment you bring the 'New World Order' into it, you're essentially projecting your beliefs into a blank canvas. As the 'New World Order' is whatever you imagine it to be. Supporting whatever agenda is convenient to the argument you are making.

Its why I call it a conspiracy 'Rorschach test'. As an individuals description of the 'Order' tells us plenty about the individual. And virtually nothing about the NWO.

 

[JimBowie1958]

It amazes me that so many people buy into the conspiracy theories that abound in our culture: Obama is going to take away your guns; no shooting occurred at Sandy Hook and it, like 9/11 are "false flags"; thousands of Muslims celebrated 9/11 in New Jersey; the Jade Helm military operation that took place last summer was going to impose martial law, etc., etc., etc. Why are these theories so popular? I think there are several reasons: 1. They give people something to focus their vague frustrations on. They may not be able to articulate why they're angry or unhappy, but a conspiracy is a "thing". 2. They feel privileged to have special knowledge, secret knowledge, that the average person, or someone they disagree with doesn't have. They're "in the know" and the rest of us are ignorant of what's really going on. 3. Fighting this conspiracy gives them a purpose in life. It gives them an identity, a reason for being, as the French say, raison d'etre. 4. Maybe it's just fun to flout conventional wisdom. But when a conspiracy theory leads to paranoia, then it goes over the line from silliness to pathological and becomes dangerous for the person involved and the public at large.

It amazes me that amateur shrinks think that they can explain away contrary facts by attributing the motivations of those who disagree with them with fringe groups and suggesting they have some ulterior motive or insecurity.

But when amateur mental profiling goes from idiotic wild ass guessing to dismissal of opposing views and the dehumanizing of r their propoinents it is pathological and becomes dangerous to society at large.

Truthers and such are the moron fringe.

Those who watch the feds take away our rights one at a time, one generation at a time, are simply vigilante and have a mountain of facts that back up their concerns.

The historical record of gun grabbing Nazis, fascists and totalitarians eventually slaughtering their own people in a Democide is also historical FACT that shows precedence and pattern of pathological leftwing ideology being the driving force for mass slaughter, genocide and democide and it is always necessary to first disarm said population before one can send them to the ovens.

Eat shit.

 

[JimBowie1958]

Just as I thought nothing intelligent to say.

From Skylar?

What, and you expect flying unicorns to shit Skittles too?