How do you fight back conspiracy theories?

Basically any time they are "disproven" the people are accused of being in on it. And then that leaves some like myself wondering "oh god...what if they are right?"

I am not saying the consporacy theorists evidence isn't paper thin, but what do we do?

nothing

Basically any time they are "disproven" the people are accused of being in on it. And then that leaves some like myself wondering "oh god...what if they are right?"

I am not saying the consporacy theorists evidence isn't paper thin, but what do we do?

IronBeaver

Nothing. In much the same way generally speaking you aren't going to sway anybody away from their chosen religion but providing historical and/or scientific data. Most folks that passionately adhere to conspiracy theories will ignore any facts disproving their accepted sense of reality...so there's really no point in engaging them. They want to believe, let them believe and move on to another subject matter. 

I am not saying the consporacy theorists evidence isn't paper thin, but what do we do?

IronBeaver

That depends on the conspiracy theory. Many of them have evidence that is far more than "paper thin". 

You realize those people are morons, if you show them facts and they refuse to believe them or call you a liar, then they have lost the argument

I like conspiracy theories. They make great fiction.

You make it sound like all conspiracy theories are made up by crazy people.

The fact that 99% of the stuff they claim they cannot back up with real facts it's easy just to ignore them. They want attention, no matter what. Their evidence is usually weak and they pull out every argumentative fallacy in the book. They shift the burden of proof onto other people, start using ad hominem when they are actually questioned, informal fallacies (A is C, B is C, so A is B), and tons of other stuff.

Seriously hit up this list next time you see any of their arguments and they'll always fall under a couple of those fallacies. 

It's extremely rare to hear a well thought out conspiracy theory. Usually if opposing theories with sufficient evidence appear, they are not considered conspiracy theories and are usually up to the indivudal's interpretation of the data to agree or disagree with said theory. 

99,99% of all conspiracy theories have no reasonable, logic motive behind them.

By educating yourself. Don't use youtube or biased conspiracy sites as legitimate resource.

Don't worry about them, really no point in arguing conspiracy theorists with them since their mind is made up. Also, if you need reassuring, look up all the failed conspiracy/debunked theories out there (like the RFID chips on March 23 thing) and realize that nothing ever happens the way they imagine it. The theories can also be pretty entertaining if you look at them as fiction.

By educating yourself. Don't use youtube or biased conspiracy sites as legitimate resource.

Gaming-Planet

[QUOTE="rastotm"]

99,99% of all conspiracy theories have no reasonable, logic motive behind them.

thegerg

Most statistics tend to be exaggerated anyways.

But hey who knows? Perhaps there are aliens in Area 51 and perhaps JFK was killed by LBJ. Or maybe it was the wife of JFK! :o Or maybe...

[spoiler] ALIENS! [/spoiler]

9/11k2theswiss

First thing I though of when I read this post.

[QUOTE="leviathan91"]

[QUOTE="thegerg"] On what do you base that statistic? thegerg

Most statistics tend to be exaggerated anyways.

But hey who knows? Perhaps there are aliens in Area 51 and perhaps JFK was killed by LBJ. Or maybe it was the wife of JFK! :o Or maybe...

[spoiler] ALIENS! [/spoiler]

Such as?

[QUOTE="leviathan91"]

[QUOTE="thegerg"] Not all conspiracy theories are outlandish, you know. Many conspiracies are demonstrable through evidence. thegerg

Such as?

True but the subject is on conspiracy theories such as government or business or whatever. Granted, some conspiracies are true (maybe some exaggerated) such as the Gulf of Tonkin incident and the KGB's plan to undermine the US government through the assassination of JFK.

[QUOTE="thegerg"][QUOTE="leviathan91"]

Such as?

leviathan91

True but the subject is on conspiracy theories such as government or business or whatever. Granted, some conspiracies are true (maybe some exaggerated) such as the Gulf of Tonkin incident and the KGB's plan to undermine the US government through the assassination of JFK.

I feel like JFK's is the most realistic one.

[QUOTE="leviathan91"]

[QUOTE="thegerg"] Just last week 2 of my office's clients were convicted of conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance. The state had a theory about their activity and was able to provide evidence to show conspiracy. IronBeaver

True but the subject is on conspiracy theories such as government or business or whatever. Granted, some conspiracies are true (maybe some exaggerated) such as the Gulf of Tonkin incident and the KGB's plan to undermine the US government through the assassination of JFK.

I feel like JFK's is the most realistic one.

i'm sick of these theories

[QUOTE="IronBeaver"]

Basically any time they are "disproven" the people are accused of being in on it. And then that leaves some like myself wondering "oh god...what if they are right?"

I am not saying the consporacy theorists evidence isn't paper thin, but what do we do?

Laihendi

it's like talking to religious people... they are immune to rationality. Nothing can be done.BenedictArnold7

You sure as hell aren't a beacon of tolerance with that attitude.

[QUOTE="leviathan91"]

[QUOTE="thegerg"] Not all conspiracy theories are outlandish, you know. Many conspiracies are demonstrable through evidence. thegerg

Such as?

.

Some "conspiracy theories" can be fought only with lies.

:|

i dont. I listen and enjoy their rant.

then I think of the ancient aliens guy and his hair.

[QUOTE="Gaming-Planet"]

By educating yourself. Don't use youtube or biased conspiracy sites as legitimate resource.

cain006

[QUOTE="IronBeaver"]

Basically any time they are "disproven" the people are accused of being in on it. And then that leaves some like myself wondering "oh god...what if they are right?"

I am not saying the consporacy theorists evidence isn't paper thin, but what do we do?

Laihendi

I don't bother to fight back, but I do follow a basic procedure to find out what I believe.

step 1) Does it pass the face palm/ bust out laughing test?

step 2) Is it actually possible?

step 3) Is it remotely plausible?

step 4) Is it likely based off of evidence?

step 5) Freak out. "Holy Shit, the illuminait/aliens/government control the world towards sinister goals!"

Ignore it or use it for comical conversation

You can't.

You can't.

Goyoshi12

and why do you say that?

How do you fight back conspiracy theories? Depends on the conspiracy.

Why bother, unless you're looking for a little fun in a debate?  Fanatics will believe what they want to believe.  No argument, no matter how sound, will be enough to sway that belief.  Sometimes we seem to forget that not everyone we encounter is a rational thinker.

How do you fight back conspiracy theories? Depends on the conspiracy.

Thirty4Fifty

like the aliens?

The fact that 99% of the stuff they claim they cannot back up with real facts it's easy just to ignore them. They want attention, no matter what. Their evidence is usually weak and they pull out every argumentative fallacy in the book. They shift the burden of proof onto other people, start using ad hominem when they are actually questioned, informal fallacies (A is C, B is C, so A is B), and tons of other stuff.

Seriously hit up this list next time you see any of their arguments and they'll always fall under a couple of those fallacies. 

It's extremely rare to hear a well thought out conspiracy theory. Usually if opposing theories with sufficient evidence appear, they are not considered conspiracy theories and are usually up to the indivudal's interpretation of the data to agree or disagree with said theory. 

Wasdie