Conspiracy Theories

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

This is a bit of a broad subject but the main idea is a theory of some sort of, well, conspiracy. Most often involving the government (and a lot of the times I've seen, American Government specifically) doing shady things.

I am hesitant to make this because my father is on the "nutjob" spectrum of conspiracy theorists BUT I thought it would be a good topic for YCM.

 

So what do you think of conspiracy theories? Do any have merit? How do you feel about the way they are often presented? And are they damaging in themselves?

 

We can discuss individual theories maybe. Though that might be better for separate topics. I will ask, though, if we're currently on a specific facet, or theory, to try not to derail the conversation unless there seems to be a lull in the thread.

 

While writing this I wonder if this would be better for Debates but it seems too broad for that. I suppose I'll leave it up to mod discretion. (also if the mods think that individual conspiracy theories are better for seperate threads please mention it in this thread so we don't go too far.)

 

I suppose to be safe, at least at first, please stick to more...general opinions on conspiracy theories.

[ENMaker]

All conspiracy theories are true, even, no, especially, ones whose being true conflicts with others and/or makes it impossible for others to be true.

[~ P O L A R I S ~]

We should not categorically be for or against people called conspiracy theorists simply because they've been called conspiracy theorists, whether self-proclaimed or otherwise. 

 

Their theories should be considered on an individual basis along with whatever factual evidence they present. Sometimes they are correct, sometimes they are mistaken, sometimes they are deceptive. 

 

That said, 9/11 was an inside job and Lee Harvey Oswald/Harvey Lee Oswald/etc. was a patsy. 

[Tentacruel]

While most are nonsense, people are way too quick to dismiss anything that is called a conspiracy theory as being impossible. 

 

 

That being said, Bush did 9/11, Harambe knew something about Hillary and vaccines cause ebola. 

[Dad]

While most are nonsense, people are way too quick to dismiss anything that is called a conspiracy theory as being impossible. 

 

 

That being said, Bush did 9/11, Harambe knew something about Hillary and vaccines cause ebola. 

 

As hard as I laughed, don't meme in debates.  I warned Winter for it.  No special treatment.

 

EDIT:  I'VE BEEN IN DEBATES SO funking LONG THAT WHEN I CLICK THIS THREAD I THOUGHT I WAS IN DEBATES.  Sorry TR-8R.

[JessicaMuddy]

Oh, I love this topic. At the moment at school I am in a Conspiracy Theories class (Yes, it's a thing), and we have looked at some of the nutjob theories, as well as stuff like the moon landing hoax and JFK assassinations. But the thing I find interesting is the "leaps in logic" conspiracy theorists use to get their points across. For example:

 

"If [A] then " is pretty standard logic.

But conspiracy theorists also use "If then [A]" in the same argument.

 

When it rains, the ground gets wet. (If [A] then )

The ground is wet, so it is raining. (If then [A])

 

At the moment, we have to find and do a little thing about a conspiracy theory of our choice. I've decided to do mine on the theory that the ENTIRE country of Finland doesn't exist at all. I love it and there is a whole subreddit for it.

Link to the subreddit: For the truth about Finland.

[epicmemesbro]

The way I see it, people use conspiracy theories as a simplification for what is actually happening in the world around them. For instance when wondering what led to the recession people would say something along the lines of "the Illuminati did it", and try to pinpoint coincidences to the recession itself. Some may also use conspiracy theories because it is easy to dispel dissenters. If anyone would argue otherwise, conspiracy theorists would generally say, "That's what the Illuminati want you to think", or may even go as far as accusing the dissenter of being part of the conspiracy. The way I see it, a conspiracy theory is a simple explanation for simple-minded people.

[Ryusei the Morning Star]

The Jews control the world. Everything else comes second CowCow