Conspiracy theorist friend

[cinda]

What is real intersting is in my entire 48 years of life never once have I ever thought to type new world order into anything let alone u-tube.

[BigMacFU]

Giese does a good job of describing the general problem with conspiracy theories. One way I've seen it described in what I write and study is basically that: conspiracy theories are internally consistent, they explain everything without contradiction, but they end up with a very small explanatory circle within which one must live. In other words, the conspiracy theory can explain their limited circle very nicely, but it has a hard time subsuming new data and experiences.

[Diesel Grinch]

No, but my wife tells me all the time I'm going to be the crazy old man on the porch with a shotgun who yells at even the mailman

I'm no conspiracy theorist, but I've seen what other countries look like that continue to increase the size of their government (even efficient ones like Nazi Germany) and it scares the hell out of me.

But, I've also learned from history that man generally has a chance of making it through, though with more advanced technologies and powerful medicines, that chance may continue to shrink. Either way, yeah, I'll be that guy with the shotgun yelling, "You don't want me to smoke a cigar, then suck buckshot!"

Edit to add: it's funny that you should post this now, I did have a student yesterday who told me he had a professor at the school he transferred from show a "9/11 truthers" documentary in class and from the sound of it, it was to convince the class that this was a viable viewpoint. Thank goodness it's a Critical Thinking class I'm teaching because I was able to quickly pick apart any point made for him while demonstrating the techniques we're learning in class. Seriously, though, crazy stuff like that gets taught in colleges and universities all the time.

Your wife is smart.

But crazy, as she did marry BigMacFU.

DG

[craig]

Giese does a good job of describing the general problem with conspiracy theories. One way I've seen it described in what I write and study is basically that: conspiracy theories are internally consistent, they explain everything without contradiction, but they end up with a very small explanatory circle within which one must live. In other words, the conspiracy theory can explain their limited circle very nicely, but it has a hard time subsuming new data and experiences.

That's pretty well the definition of "theory." No theory can ever be complete. Gödel applies everywhere .

People like to believe stuff to assuage their fears ... call it religion, call it science, call it conspiracy, call it a cult.

That's my theory, anyhow .

[bigwhiteash]

http://zapatopi.net/afdb/

[BigMacFU]

Godel is wrong though, since that theory "no theory is complete" is complete. And I was probably unclear in defining why conspiracy theories are often problematic. What differentiates conspiracy theories from normal explanations of events is the fact that the explanatory circle is small. It includes all of the evidences, but uses a rather simple, or small explanation to explain all of the evidences. Thus, the conspiracy theory/theorist can answer all of the questions as to why things happen the way they do, it's just that the explanation lacks any nuance or subtlety that real life generally reveals is a part of why things happen the way they do.

Hopefully that's clearer as to what separates a good theory from a bad theory, generally speaking. Sorry for any confusion in my prior attempt at explanation.

That's pretty well the definition of "theory." No theory can ever be complete. Gödel applies everywhere .

People like to believe stuff to assuage their fears ... call it religion, call it science, call it conspiracy, call it a cult.

That's my theory, anyhow .

[heftysmokes]

This thread makes my head hurt.

[Kenyth]

I also find that the conspiracy theorists I know aren't one much for laws. They highly value their personal freedom to do as they please and see any infringement on that as a sign of doom. CT's I've known are more prone to own illegal firearms, use illegal substances, use modified/illegal Ham radio/CB/FM commercial band equipment without a license, etc. They stockpile things. They're all prepared for the anarchy that is sure to come, because they are anarchists themselves.

Even IF an army was coming to take over and arrest all non-conforming citizens for some New World Wide order, what are you going to do about it as an individual? Hold out in your home's basement with a couple of mail order AK-47 clones, pump shotguns and pistols? How long can a family live in a dark damp space without power, eating dehydrated food and pissing in mason jars?

[BigMacFU]

I also find that the conspiracy theorists I know aren't one much for laws. They highly value their personal freedom to do as they please and see any infringement on that as a sign of doom. CT's I've known are more prone to own illegal firearms, use illegal substances, use modified/illegal Ham radio/CB/FM commercial band equipment without a license, etc. They stockpile things. They're all prepared for the anarchy that is sure to come, because they are anarchists themselves.

Even IF an army was coming to take over and arrest all non-conforming citizens for some New World Wide order, what are you going to do about it as an individual? Hold out in your home's basement with a couple of mail order AK-47 clones, pump shotguns and pistols? How long can a family live in a dark damp space without power, eating dehydrated food and pissing in mason jars?

Hells yeah! We can last forever on Spam and recirculated air, don't you tell me otherwise! I can't believe they got to you Kenyth.

[badwhale]

This thread makes my head hurt.

x2

[ashauler]

This thread makes my head hurt.

Maybe you should stretch the hat a bit? lol :)

[heftysmokes]

Maybe you should stretch the hat a bit? lol :)

Damn tin foil doesn't stretch!

[craig]

Godel is wrong though, since that theory "no theory is complete" is complete. And I was probably unclear in defining why conspiracy theories are often problematic. What differentiates conspiracy theories from normal explanations of events is the fact that the explanatory circle is small. It includes all of the evidences, but uses a rather simple, or small explanation to explain all of the evidences. Thus, the conspiracy theory/theorist can answer all of the questions as to why things happen the way they do, it's just that the explanation lacks any nuance or subtlety that real life generally reveals is a part of why things happen the way they do.

Hopefully that's clearer as to what separates a good theory from a bad theory, generally speaking. Sorry for any confusion in my prior attempt at explanation.

Gödel didn't say that. He said any complete system; isn't.

You weren't unclear. I was just pulling your leg .

As for Afghanistan, Berlo-whatever-his-name-is should shut the, er, never mind. Was about to get political for a second ...