How do you respond to conspiracy theories?
By Lady_Justice
@Lady_Justice (969)
United States
April 19, 2007 9:02am CST
We know that there are some real conspiracies or we wouldn't have laws against "conspiracy to commit" this or that. However, some conspiracy theories may be true but others are really out there. How do you respond? Do you immediately discount all conspiracy theory type issues? Do you do at least some research first before you form an opinion? Do you go out of your way to debunk the really insane or offensive ones? Or, is there some other way that you respond to conspiracy theories?
I usually give them at least a look. I think it is healthy to question government, leaders, and important issues that affect us, so I usually at least check it out. If it is something I don't believe and it seems that it could be damaging, I usually try to debunk it. I find many such things on political message boards, and I try to respond with facts instead of "where's your tin foil hat?"
What say you?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@66jerseygirl (3877)
• United States
21 Apr 07
No.I don't really listen to conspiracy theories. They are getting so ridiculous. A lot of times,I notice that these theorists will take the smallest thing and blow it up to a full scale conspiracy. When i was younger,I used to be open minded about them but now adays they are so ridiculous,when i hear them they go in one ear and out the other
1 person likes this
@66jerseygirl (3877)
• United States
21 Apr 07
Some of these thories are so ridiculous i can't help but laugh. I have no idea where they come up with this stuff.I'm glad you didn't take my response the wrong way.After I submitted it,I thought it may have sounded a little snotty but I wasn't trying to be.It just came out wrong
1 person likes this
@Lady_Justice (969)
• United States
21 Apr 07
There are some insane conspiracy theories that can make people feel that way, so I understand. I just don't want to ignore something that could be important because it sounds outrageous, as sometimes truth can be stranger than fiction. So, I check stuff out and then decide. But, I know what you're saying... there are some crazy folks out there and some crazy theories floating around!
1 person likes this
@Lady_Justice (969)
• United States
23 Apr 07
Not at all... some crazy ideas can be so silly they're funny but others are quite annoying!
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
20 Apr 07
I take them all with a "grain of salt" until I have done more research. Then, if I think there may be anything to it, I start checking for facts.
Actually, I have come up with some "conspriracy theories" of my own, that were later proved by authorities on the subject. I find a fact and look for confirmation and then the facts start to pile up and they start looking like a lot more than just "coincidence".
No tin foil hat needed here, though. I have found plenty of theories that were nothing but delusion on the part of the people who thought them up.
One of the easiest ways to prove or disprove a conspiracy theory when they are in the political or business world is to "follow the money" or look to see who will profit one way or another (power, votes, business deals, etc.)
Other conspiracy theories are harder to prove or disprove and I just set them aside to keep an eye out for more information.
1 person likes this
@Lady_Justice (969)
• United States
20 Apr 07
I think questioning is very healthy and digging deeper helps to ensure an informed analysis of conspiracy theories as well as other issues.
Following the money is another great point. It's one of the best methods of getting to the bottom of various situations, not just conspiracy theories.
I am really enjoying your posts, and I agree with you completely in this response. Thank you for sharing.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
21 Apr 07
You're welcome. You've been posting some interesting discussions. When I have a chance between working and writing in Helium.com's contest, I have been looking in on your posts.
1 person likes this
@Lady_Justice (969)
• United States
21 Apr 07
Thank you. I haven't kept up with Helium as well as I'd like to. I don't think I'll be a contender in the writing contest this week.
It's nice to have an intelligent discussion and I appreciate your well thought out, well written comments and responses. You have some good topics too. I'll have to check out some more of them.
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
9 May 07
I generally discount them. One of the first things I do is look to see who is behind these conspiracy theories.
That is usually enough for me to discount it out of hand.
1 person likes this
@Lady_Justice (969)
• United States
9 May 07
Learning who is promoting it can sometimes make it easier to decide if it has merit. I still usually have to check it out. Even if I just know it's untrue, I have to dig deeper to try and figure out the motive in advancing the conspiracy theory.
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
9 May 07
I never discount any theory, conspiracy or otherwise. The problem with any theory is that anyone who has set out to prove it either with a book, article or documentary, can find anything to back up a theory. That's not to say that they aren't right to begin with or that it's not worth checking out, but I have a difficult time buying the whole premise.
@Lady_Justice (969)
• United States
9 May 07
I still sometimes read books or watch "documentaries" (even some crockumentaries) on theories that seem really out there. I like to know what people are up to, what they're trying to promote, especially if they actually have some influence. Then, if I think it's nonsense, I tend to set about trying to debunk it.
@Lady_Justice (969)
• United States
19 Apr 07
That is a reasonable premise, one I often agree with, but sometimes these things take on a life of their own and can become very damaging. In other cases, the simplest explanation may seem the most convincing, even if it is in fact untrue. Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction (cue Twilight Zone music).
Like other issues, I usually like to check things out for myself before forming an opinion. Thanks for your response.
