Dealing with a conspiracy theorist advice

[HawkingsHalfpint]

Most conspiracy theorists (in the cases of the ones I’ve met, at least) seem to enjoy some sort of superiority complex kick out of it. Like they’re cleverer or wiser than you, somehow.

Just bullshit you have to put up with I suppose. My old dear has a friend/relative who genuinely believes the 500 million conspiracy (i.e. they’re going to deliberately wipe-out 7/8ths of the world population, and COVID was just a test). There are some serious whack jobs out there with simply too much to do.

My advice when dealing with these people is simply change the subject. Saves a lot of unnecessary eye-rolling, and you really can’t debate efficiently with an idiot. I do get that there is probably a great deal we don’t (and will never) know, but if it doesn’t really affect my life or those of my loved ones, I really couldn’t care less.

[Squid]

While there have always been conspiracy theorists, the way the internet allows you to marinate yourself in various streams of nonsense all day, every day has turbocharged things AND people now have access to an AI friend who will agree with them.

Online radicalisation is not just limited to certain sections of society, but is becoming a growing social issue.

[DemonicBaggie]

While there have always been conspiracy theorists, the way the internet allows you to marinate yourself in various streams of nonsense all day, every day has turbocharged things AND people now have access to an AI friend who will agree with them.

Online radicalisation is not just limited to certain sections of society, but is becoming a growing social issue.

Very true, this, Squid. 

I’ve been watching the early series of the X-Files lately (and am pleasantly surprised with how well these 30 year-old programmes have held up production-wise). However, it both amuses and horrifies me that we now live in a world where many people would not be able to identify the show as pure hokum, and more likely see it as a Nostradamus-like prediction of the current day.

[HawkingsHalfpint]

While there have always been conspiracy theorists, the way the internet allows you to marinate yourself in various streams of nonsense all day, every day has turbocharged things AND people now have access to an AI friend who will agree with them.

Online radicalisation is not just limited to certain sections of society, but is becoming a growing social issue.

Very true, this, Squid. 

I’ve been watching the early series of the X-Files lately (and am pleasantly surprised with how well these 30 year-old programmes have held up production-wise). However, it both amuses and horrifies me that we now live in a world where many people would not be able to identify the show as pure hokum, and more likely see it as a Nostradamus-like prediction of the current day.

So, when does Skynet go live anyway? Not that it matters in Wolverhampton, they’re looking to obliterate, not improve.

[baggy1]

What do you mean ‘looking to’? There’s evidence in front of your eyes of where they are starting

[BertieTheBaggie]

While there have always been conspiracy theorists, the way the internet allows you to marinate yourself in various streams of nonsense all day, every day has turbocharged things AND people now have access to an AI friend who will agree with them.

Online radicalisation is not just limited to certain sections of society, but is becoming a growing social issue.

Marinade is a great term. 
I’ve a friend who has gone like this. Again it’s more susceptible for blokes of a certain vintage.
I work in IT, online marketing and this Sandwell Council clerk knows far more than me about everything now. 
He’s become an angry arrogant fuckwit. 
I steer away from him as much as I can now as I just find him an obnoxious twat.
You just have to avoid them for your sanity.

[man in the corner shop]

While there have always been conspiracy theorists, the way the internet allows you to marinate yourself in various streams of nonsense all day, every day has turbocharged things AND people now have access to an AI friend who will agree with them.

Online radicalisation is not just limited to certain sections of society, but is becoming a growing social issue.

Sums up this dump for me

[HugeHons]

I’ve a brother who has gone batshit crazy as a conspiracy theorist. 
Met him last night. All on about the illuminati controlling the world and that Donald Trump is a decent bloke.
This lad used to be ok, but now he’s typical in that he rolls his eyes if you aren’t on the same page is permanently angry and completely bonkers. 
He’s a 56 year old bloke who hadn’t read a book since he did his school exams, but done ok work wise as a builder.
I found him a condescending cunt but managed to bite my tongue. 
I’d suspected for a while he’d gone down this path, but just wondering if any of you have any advice other than stay away from him?

I’ve got an old school friend on FB ( known her for 50 years!) she was always quite level headed, but she’s a massive conspiracy theorists and laughs at me because I read the BBC News page. Some of her conspiracies are as follows:

Maddie McCann was kidnapped by the ‘establishment’ so they can inject us with tracking devices

TV Doctor Michael Mosley worked for MI5 and has gone into hiding because of the vaccine roll out 

The Covid vaccine is/was killing everyone 
Covid doesn’t actually exist
Humans can’t catch viruses anyway

Around 10 people control the world ( even control Kim jong Un/Putin etc)

Climate change is a scam and the Hollywood fires was to get rid of actors so they can use AI instead

Flying abroad will be banned in 2025 ( oops)

The MP Jo Cox wasn’t murdered and her name sounds like ‘Joke OX ‘ which has some other conspiracy meaning 

Plus many more I’ve forgotten. I tend to ignore her now but sometimes her posts are a good entertainment.

But me reading a few main headlines on the Beeb is a problem for her  

[Jacko]

Best conspiracy theory is the Kubrick/moon landing/The Shining one.

That or the genocide in Gaza.

[Pontificator]

While there have always been conspiracy theorists, the way the internet allows you to marinate yourself in various streams of nonsense all day, every day has turbocharged things AND people now have access to an AI friend who will agree with them.

Online radicalisation is not just limited to certain sections of society, but is becoming a growing social issue.

isn't religion radicalisation? 4.3 billion people believe in one of the three major monotheistic religions and marinate themselves in various streams of nonsense all day, every day. Face Mecca and pray for the Albion