The conspiracy people are just harmless goofballs, right?

[Bat-mite]

Not all of them.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/maryland-man-accused-fatally-shooting-025401961.html

 

[dr wogz]

And I'm sure 'that guy' you posted has supporters..

I posted an article a while back about a priest urging his flock to 'not get the shot' to prove their faith in God..

Some are directly dangerous, other are indirectly dangerous..

 

[Joekeyo]

One can always hope. Hope alone is weak.

 

[Cnorm]

The pandemic has been rough for people with a tenuous hold on their sanity.

 

[ThirstyBarbarian]

That guy sounds like he has serious mental health problems that go well beyond believing conspiracy theories.

Here’s an interesting thing I saw a couple of days ago. It’s about conspiracy theories and the fact that almost everyone believes at least one or two. It talks about how there are many conspiracy theories that are relatively harmless, but some are very dangerous.

The article is organized around some quiz questions, so you can test yourself on your ability to recognize conspiracy theories. Usually the questions have multiple choice answers, and you are supposed to pick the answer that is not a conspiracy theory. I think the multiple-choice format was really helpful, because there were a few where some of the answers were things I kind of partially believe or suspect might be true, but there was always one option that stood out as something I knew had been proven with evidence. If I had not had the multiple-choice format, there may have been a few conspiracy theories I would have said were true or at least very likely or plausible, even if the evidence isn’t really there. That’s probably true for everyone.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2021/conspiracy-theory-quiz/?itid=hp_opinions

 

[boomtube-mk2]

You do realize that the Washington Post interactive conspiracy-theory-quiz . . . is a CONSPIRACY!!

By answering the questions the "Government" can determine the threat level you present.
I'm sure it is all somehow tied in with confiscating your guns and censoring conservative radio talk show hosts.

 

[bronicabill]

<<snip>>

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2021/conspiracy-theory-quiz/?itid=hp_opinions

I made it through the first two questions before deciding the supposedly "correct" answers are total horse-****! For example, the "answer" stating that Barack Obama's birth certificate was a forgery is supposedly false. The test goes on to state that the certificate was in fact authentic. Horse-****!!! Back when it first was released to the public, I downloaded the full-size PDF image and inspected it closely. After over 45 years in photography, many of those as a working pro, I am well versed in imaging in general, and especially PhotoShop in later years, and what modified images look like. That sucker was as fake as Dolly Parton's boobs! In addition, there were a number of irregularities such as date formats that were simply not in use at the time of birth.

Washington Post as a reliable source of info?!? I think not...

 

[ThirstyBarbarian]

I made it through the first two questions before deciding the supposedly "correct" answers are total horse-****! For example, the "answer" stating that Barack Obama's birth certificate was a forgery is supposedly false. The test goes on to state that the certificate was in fact authentic. Horse-****!!! Back when it first was released to the public, I downloaded the full-size PDF image and inspected it closely. After over 45 years in photography, many of those as a working pro, I am well versed in imaging in general, and especially PhotoShop in later years, and what modified images look like. That sucker was as fake as Dolly Parton's boobs! In addition, there were a number of irregularities such as date formats that were simply not in use at the time of birth.

Washington Post as a reliable source of info?!? I think not...

See, you DO believe a conspiracy theory! It’s not that unusual.

 

[boomtube-mk2]

See, you DO believe a conspiracy theory! It’s not that unusual.

The problem with that quiz, is that the people at The Washington Post get to decide what is and isn't a conspiracy.
Don't you see the conspiracy behind that?

 

[bronicabill]

See, you DO believe a conspiracy theory! It’s not that unusual.

I believe in several...
1) I do not believe JFK was killed by a lone gunman
2) I do not believe Jeffry Epstein killed himself
3) As already stated, I do not believe Obama was born in Hawaii
4) I believe a "shadow government" is in play and basically controlling much of what goes on
5) I believe the "accidental release" of the COVID virus from the Wuhan lab was NOT an accident, but actually planned to be used as a biological weapons test

No doubt with a bit of sleep (chronic insomniac, so clear thinking doesn't happen often) and time I could think of a few more, but those are the biggies...

 

[smstachwick]

I understand the point that’s being made here and agree with the overall sentiment. I even find WaPo credible most of the time, but the quiz misses the mark.

It’s structured as a multiple-choice, with one option always being verifiably and objectively true. Most of the others are presented as being verifiably and objectively false when in reality, not all of them are. Two of them are the subjects of major unknowns. Epstein and Oswald’s deaths buried much of the information in their respective cases, preventing investigators and the public from knowing for sure the true extent of their respective operations.

A third, regarding the election in 2000, falls in a sort-of-gray area. Whether or not one would call the maneuvering by the victorious candidate’s party cheating is a bit subjective, but without a doubt there was some really shady stuff going on behind the scenes.

Can conspiracy theories be dangerous? Certainly, we see the effects of that daily. But this quiz sort of undermines that argument by oversimplifying things into false true/false dichotomy when there should be a third option for “we don’t know¯\_(ツ)_/¯” and possibly a fourth for “that depends ”

 

[afadeev]

Washington Post as a reliable source of info?!? I think not...

Actually, WaPo is pretty rock solid.
You may, or may not, agree with their political leanings, but WaPo, WST, and NYT are very thorough with vetting integrity of the information they publish.

Trashing news organizations because they don't support your personal agenda should be left to the crocked and corrupt politicians who are in fear of being exposed!

The problem with that quiz, is that the people at The Washington Post get to decide what is and isn't a conspiracy.
Don't you see the conspiracy behind that?

Ahem, no, not at all. More like infotainment, actually.
But if you think a poll that identifies your true beliefs is a threat to you personally, then you just *might* have an issue, or two...

Of course, a conspiracy theory is not a conspiracy theory if it is a component of a semi-religious belief system. See QAnon.
If the entire system of beliefs is completely fabricated and unverifiable portfolio of suppositions, then is it crazy? Is it a portfolio of conspiracies?
Or is it a tax-exempt, 1st amendment protected, Religion?

See below - QAnon seams to check all the boxes:

religion​

noun​

• a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
  • a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects.
  • the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices.
  • the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.
  • the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
  • something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience:

 

[boatgeek]

I understand the point that’s being made here and agree with the overall sentiment. I even find WaPo credible most of the time, but the quiz misses the mark.

It’s structured as a multiple-choice, with one option always being verifiably and objectively true. Most of the others others are presented as being verifiably and objectively false when in reality, but not all of them are. Two of them are the subjects of major unknowns. Epstein and Oswald’s deaths buried much of the information in their respective cases, preventing investigators and the public from knowing for sure the true extent of their respective operations.

A third, regarding the election in 2000, falls in a sort-of-gray area. Whether or not one would call the maneuvering by the victorious candidate’s party cheating is a bit subjective, but without a doubt there was some really shady stuff going on behind the scenes.

Can conspiracy theories be dangerous? Certainly, we see the effects of that daily. But this quiz sort of undermines that argument by oversimplifying things into false true/false dichotomy when there should be a third option for “we don’t know¯\_(ツ)_/¯” and possibly a fourth for “that depends ”

I concur that the multiple-choice format is a poor choice. There was one about the 2016 elections that I would probably have selected as being somewhat or mostly true if it hadn't been together with an item about the Tuskegee experiments. I won't describe the item about 2016 here (way too political, would likely start an argument that would get the thread locked), but there is significant evidence out there regarding this item. Whether you consider the item true or a conspiracy theory likely depends on the exact wording of the item. If you want to know more, feel free to PM me.

 

[smstachwick]

I concur that the multiple-choice format is a poor choice. There was one about the 2016 elections that I would probably have selected as being somewhat or mostly true if it hadn't been together with an item about the Tuskegee experiments. I won't describe the item about 2016 here (way too political, would likely start an argument that would get the thread locked), but there is significant evidence out there regarding this item. Whether you consider the item true or a conspiracy theory likely depends on the exact wording of the item. If you want to know more, feel free to PM me.

Yeah. I was bouncing back and forth on whether or not to talk about it, but I guess I will now that you’ve brought it up. I won’t touch on it too much, but I’d summarize it as “possible but unconfirmed”. Related investigations are ongoing, so we may have more information in the next few years.

 

[boomtube-mk2]

As I have stated before; every conspiracy theory is part of a vast conspiracy to keep people occupied so they don't learn about the one actual genuine conspiracy which is to keep people busy with conspiracies.
In fact, by telling you this I have started yet another conspiracy which in time becomes part of the vast conspiracy . . .

 

[ThirstyBarbarian]

I agree the multiple choice format is not great, and I’ve already said there are some I’m personally inclined to believe. But the article makes clear how it defines a conspiracy and how it defines a conspiracy theory. It’s not as simple as true/false, and that’s not how they define it. A conspiracy theory is a theory about a conspiracy that lacks evidence to prove it is true. To my mind, that doesn’t prove it’s NOT true. So for example, I’m inclined to believe Epstein didn’t kill himself, but there isn’t proof that he was murdered. Also, I think the one about the 2016 election falls into a gray area where there is a lot of evidence, but not enough that you would be likely to win a court case. I think a LOT of people believe things that can’t be proven. The problems come when people want to believe something so much that their confirmation bias leads them to believe things that can be proven to be untrue. There is a lot of that going on these days.

 

[NateB]

 

[smstachwick]

I agree the multiple choice format is not great, and I’ve already said there are some I’m personally inclined to believe. But the article makes clear how it defines a conspiracy and how it defines a conspiracy theory. It’s not as simple as true/false, and that’s not how they define it. A conspiracy theory is a theory about a conspiracy that lacks evidence to prove it is true. To my mind, that doesn’t prove it’s NOT true. So for example, I’m inclined to believe Epstein didn’t kill himself, but there isn’t proof that he was murdered. Also, I think the one about the 2016 election falls into a gray area where there is a lot of evidence, but not enough that you would be likely to win a court case. I think a LOT of people believe things that can’t be proven. The problems come when people want to believe something so much that their confirmation bias leads them to believe things that can be proven to be untrue. There is a lot of that going on these days.

Ah, I missed the distinction between conspiracy and conspiracy theory. I’ll have to take a closer look when I get a chance.

 

[BABAR]

like a circle is a spiral
like a wheel within a wheel
never ending or beginning
on an ever spinning reel…..

 

[smstachwick]

Both the 9/11 and Apollo denialists display a bunch of logical fallacies in drawing and arguing their conclusions, but perhaps the most prominent is Personal Incredulity.

 

[Cnorm]

I believe in several...
1) I do not believe JFK was killed by a lone gunman
2) I do not believe Jeffry Epstein killed himself
3) As already stated, I do not believe Obama was born in Hawaii
4) I believe a "shadow government" is in play and basically controlling much of what goes on
5) I believe the "accidental release" of the COVID virus from the Wuhan lab was NOT an accident, but actually planned to be used as a biological weapons test

No doubt with a bit of sleep (chronic insomniac, so clear thinking doesn't happen often) and time I could think of a few more, but those are the biggies...

Out of curiosity, where do you get your news from?

 

[ThirstyBarbarian]

Both the 9/11 and Apollo denialists display a bunch of logical fallacies in drawing and arguing their conclusions, but perhaps the most prominent is Personal Incredulity.

I don’t even know what you are trying to say here, and I don’t believe a word of it!

 

[Joekeyo]

Your logical fallacy is.... Is a great site. Thanks for posting it out.

 

[OverTheTop]

It seems I aced the conspiracy theory test earlier on. 100%. Seemed pretty straight-forward to me.

 

[Dotini]

In Washington State, workers such as those in law enforcement, airlines and ferry workers have negotiated employment contracts. When those contracts are summarily abrogated by mandates from the governor, it's not surprisingly they choose not to work, or just plain quit. The pandemic has drawn a chasm between doing the right (expedient) thing and following longstanding and hard-won rights, laws and principles.

 

[Funkworks]

I believe this video is relevant.

 

[Cnorm]

I believe this video is relevant.

I knew it! Wake up, sheeple!

 

[smstachwick]

In Washington State, workers such as those in law enforcement, airlines and ferry workers have negotiated employment contracts. When those contracts are summarily abrogated by mandates from the governor, it's not surprisingly they choose not to work, or just plain quit. The pandemic has drawn a chasm between doing the right (expedient) thing and following longstanding and hard-won rights, laws and principles.

I haven’t looked into the particulars of Washington’s rules, but there is legal precedent for similar rules enacted by other states being upheld in federal court. Whether they’ll follow this precedent is difficult to say, though.

I’d call it 50/50.

 

[boatgeek]

In Washington State, workers such as those in law enforcement, airlines and ferry workers have negotiated employment contracts. When those contracts are summarily abrogated by mandates from the governor, it's not surprisingly they choose not to work, or just plain quit. The pandemic has drawn a chasm between doing the right (expedient) thing and following longstanding and hard-won rights, laws and principles.

Most of the unions have negotiated on terms and conditions for the vaccine mandates, usually getting alittle more time or time off to get the vaccine. I don't know for sure how many are outstanding still, but it's not that many. The flip side showed up in another thread--why should unions get a free pass out of vaccine mandates that apply to everyone else? On the third hand, some of the unions appear to be using "negotiation" as a means of dragging everything out rather than trying to work out an agreement.

 

[smstachwick]

Most of the unions have negotiated on terms and conditions for the vaccine mandates, usually getting alittle more time or time off to get the vaccine. I don't know for sure how many are outstanding still, but it's not that many. The flip side showed up in another thread--why should unions get a free pass out of vaccine mandates that apply to everyone else? On the third hand, some of the unions appear to be using "negotiation" as a means of dragging everything out rather than trying to work out an agreement.

My guess is that the third category is mainly police unions. Their goals don’t really align with the rest of organized labor and they aren’t typically seen as allies by unions representing workers in other professions.