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That refers to political extremism generally. But conspiracy thinking is about a rejection of institutions and therefore a rejection of the tools the rest of use to measure and make sense of reality. What explanations do you embrace once that's off the menu?I am sure someone else much smarter than I has already discussed this in depth, but this is what I think is the trait that manifests in what people call the 'horseshoe' theory of politics.
The entire conspiracy theory world has swung completely from left wing anti business types (as you say new age hippies doing 14 hours of yoga a day) to xenophobic ass wipes.
And it's the exact people following it as well, who's world view has completely morphed - not talking about the guys peddling sh*te, talking about the followers that we know from our daily lives.
For anyone that knows anyone into the conspiracy theory world for an extended period - For better or worse, I know about a dozen or so who are in at varying depths - every single one of them has gone from "big business fu** over the little guy, the rich are parasites, we should go live in sheds in the outback because the government is watching our every move" to "I'm still working as a labourer and living in a one-bed flat because a black guy got a uni scholarship in front of me 15 years ago - also election fraud as proven by this YouTube channel".
I think saying they are united by lack of trust is definitely a fair call. It's probably one of the main things that underpins the whole ecosystem. When a good mate of mine start diving into the world close to two decades ago what I couldn't get my head around when talking to him was "OK fine if you want to question some things I get it, but you know the whole world isn't a conspiracy right?"... But then after a while I came to realise the whole vibe is "Question everything. It's all a lie". (Slight digression but fortunately he got out about a decade back when his then-girlfriend - now wife - basically said it's me or your conspiracies. Thankfully he chose her, because he'd certainly have gone full blown Qjob).That refers to political extremism generally. But conspiracy thinking is about a rejection of institutions and therefore a rejection of the tools the rest of use to measure and make sense of reality. What explanations do you embrace once that's off the menu?
I mean look at anti-vaxxers. Are they LW or RW?
Both? Neither? Rather, they are united by low public trust. Or what we might call "the paranoid style". Their politics could otherwise be totally opposite but they'll have that in common.
I agree with all that. The rejection of the mainstream institutions and what they represent as accepted fact or knowledge is also what drives the far left and right too. I think that high distrust of those institutions is a root trait of conspiracy theorists and also plays a significant part in the formation of political extremist's affiliations.That refers to political extremism generally. But conspiracy thinking is about a rejection of institutions and therefore a rejection of the tools the rest of use to measure and make sense of reality. What explanations do you embrace once that's off the menu?
I mean look at anti-vaxxers. Are they LW or RW?
Both? Neither? Rather, they are united by low public trust. Or what we might call "the paranoid style". Their politics could otherwise be totally opposite but they'll have that in common.
Consider the psychological appeal of conspiracy theories. Everyone else is a sucker but you have this secret knowledge that unlocks everything. If you've decided that "reality-based" knowledge is too hard or too dull, think how appealing this realm of secret information must be. What a neat thing to keep yourself occupied, to be able to reject all that status quo. And all that's required for you to get that sugar high is for you to say you believe it.I think saying they are united by lack of trust is definitely a fair call. It's probably one of the main things that underpins the whole ecosystem. When a good mate of mine start diving into the world close to two decades ago what I couldn't get my head around when talking to him was "OK fine if you want to question some things I get it, but you know the whole world isn't a conspiracy right?"... But then after a while I came to realise the whole vibe is "Question everything. It's all a lie". (Slight digression but fortunately he got out about a decade back when his then-girlfriend - now wife - basically said it's me or your conspiracies. Thankfully he chose her, because he'd certainly have gone full blown Qjob).
Obviously minimal sample size but my aforementioned mate was balls deep. Literally all the way. Moon landing definitely faked, Chem-trails, Fluoride in the water, everyone's super/pension funds will be zero in a few years, everyone's phone calls are being listened* in on etc. Basically, if someone was willing to upload a YouTube video, he was willing to believe it. He is a good mate, and always was, but there were definite nights out when it became a bit punishing.I'd still be interested to know in what sense these guys seriously believe these theories, though, aside from the folks who are truly mentally ill. Do they believe in it like it's really real, in the way they believe they shouldn't walk in front of a bus?
Put simply, there must be an intense psychological appeal attached for certain people, for folks wired that way.Obviously minimal sample size but my aforementioned mate was balls deep. Literally all the way. Moon landing definitely faked, Chem-trails, Fluoride in the water, everyone's super/pension funds will be zero in a few years, everyone's phone calls are being listened* in on etc. Basically, if someone was willing to upload a YouTube video, he was willing to believe it. He is a good mate, and always was, but there were definite nights out when it became a bit punishing.
I've barely met an intelligent conspiracy theorist.
They use wild and impossible scenarios to help them come to terms with things they can't understand.
There is an inherent mistrust of science that underpins extremists on both sides - from healing crystals to alternative medicines to anti-vaxxers to anti-climate change to anti-5G to the primacy of faith over evidence & science.I agree with all that. The rejection of the mainstream institutions and what they represent as accepted fact or knowledge is also what drives the far left and right too. I think that high distrust of those institutions is a root trait of conspiracy theorists and also plays a significant part in the formation of political extremist's affiliations.
I know a guy (not personally) from a local band who I quite liked who was always an animal lib/enviro guy. I thought he was a harmless hippie type but he has turned into a raving, right wing nut job. This article nails it:
Not long now! Lebbo73 do you have your inauguration party planned?QAnon conspirators apparently believe Trump will be inaugurated on March 4. What a pack of weirdos.
How Donald Trump’s Washington, D.C. Hotel Feeds QAnon’s March 4 Conspiracy
Q believers are convinced the former president’s Pennsylvania Avenue hotel is sending a signal about the much-anticipated date—when he will be inaugurated again.www.forbes.com
True, but as far as QAnon goes there has been a deliberate and sophisticated effort to radicalise the new age hippie types with far-right beliefs. For instance, the Pizzagate hashtag is replaced by a "Save the Children" meme that your local Byron Bay guru shares on their Instagram page... really clever stuff.I agree with all that. The rejection of the mainstream institutions and what they represent as accepted fact or knowledge is also what drives the far left and right too. I think that high distrust of those institutions is a root trait of conspiracy theorists and also plays a significant part in the formation of political extremist's affiliations.
How do all the predictions and news keep coming out despite "Q" not "dropping" anything since December 9th??Hi everyone,
So glad this thread is active! Please ask me anything about QAnon. I've watched hundreds of hours of QAnon documentaries, listened to all the podcasts, read all the drops, and spent days trolling far-right influences on Twitter. I'm an expert on this!
True, but as far as QAnon goes there has been a deliberate and sophisticated effort to radicalise the new age hippie types with far-right beliefs. For instance, the Pizzagate hashtag is replaced by a "Save the Children" meme that your local Byron Bay guru shares on their Instagram page... really clever stuff.
They have to formally "drop" news do they?How do all the predictions and news keep coming out despite "Q" not "dropping" anything since December 9th??
Check your "in-box" they are probably in your junk mailHow do all the predictions and news keep coming out despite "Q" not "dropping" anything since December 9th??