4 ms·

Because this is not the time for conspiracy theories. People talking about the earth being flat doesn't really hurt anyone. People believing conspiracy theories

by jswny 7y ago

Because this is not the time for conspiracy theories. People talking about the earth being flat doesn't really hurt anyone. People believing conspiracy theories about a global pandemic can be seriously dangerous.

guscost 7y ago
This is not the time for fascism, either.
- jswny 7y ago
  We are talking about private companies right? This has nothing to do with the government.
  - guscost 7y ago
    It's just one (and hopefully the only) step in a very troubling direction. Several places in Europe are much further along, for example: https://www.thelocal.dk/20200313/denmark-passes-far-reaching-emergency-coronavirus-law https://www.thelocal.dk/20200313/denmark-passes-far-reaching... Apparently there's a newer law that makes posting crackpot theories illegal, but I can only find one source: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=da&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fnewsvoice.se%2F2020%2F04%2Fdanmark-forbjuder-corona-policy%2F https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=da&tl=en&u=htt...
s9w 7y ago
This particular incident actually sounds like it involves pretty heavy "out there" stuff. But in general the term conspiracy theory means barely more than "not in line with government press releases". The average conspiracy theory guy is much less crazy than one might assume and a surprising number of now public revelations have been circulating in these corners of the internet way earlier. It can be quite informative and challenge critical thinking at the same time.
- jswny 7y ago
  I have no problem with conspiracy theories, or people talking about them. What I do have a problem with is the general category of misinformation/conspiracy theories which hurt or endanger others. For instance, for every person who doesn't get a vaccination because they believe some of the anti-vaccination conspiracy theories, there is an immune-compromised individual who is being put into harm's way because of misinformation because they medically cannot receive the vaccine. In the case of the coronavirus, we are dealing with a very dangerous global pandemic, and I personally think that this falls into the category of "misinformation can be very dangerous."
  - s9w 7y ago
    People are entitled to form their own opinions, even and in particular on vaccinations. They own their body after all.
    - jswny 7y ago
      As much as I agree with you when it comes to pretty much anything else, I have to draw a line when it comes to conspiracy theories which are undeniably false such as anti-vaccination ones, which harm others who cannot medically get vaccinations.
      - s9w 7y ago
        I see your point and can understand your position. Just as a counterpoint I would still add that "undeniably false" is a very high bar that many believe is not reached with some topics, the "gospel" (not meant dismissive) on vaccinations being one of them.
thinkingemote 7y ago
Now is not the time to question whether Saddam has weapons of mass destruction.

by jswny 7y ago

guscost 7y ago

This is not the time for fascism, either.

jswny 7y ago
We are talking about private companies right? This has nothing to do with the government.
- guscost 7y ago
  It's just one (and hopefully the only) step in a very troubling direction. Several places in Europe are much further along, for example: https://www.thelocal.dk/20200313/denmark-passes-far-reaching-emergency-coronavirus-law https://www.thelocal.dk/20200313/denmark-passes-far-reaching... Apparently there's a newer law that makes posting crackpot theories illegal, but I can only find one source: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=da&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fnewsvoice.se%2F2020%2F04%2Fdanmark-forbjuder-corona-policy%2F https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=da&tl=en&u=htt...

s9w 7y ago

This particular incident actually sounds like it involves pretty heavy "out there" stuff. But in general the term conspiracy theory means barely more than "not in line with government press releases". The average conspiracy theory guy is much less crazy than one might assume and a surprising number of now public revelations have been circulating in these corners of the internet way earlier. It can be quite informative and challenge critical thinking at the same time.

jswny 7y ago
I have no problem with conspiracy theories, or people talking about them. What I do have a problem with is the general category of misinformation/conspiracy theories which hurt or endanger others. For instance, for every person who doesn't get a vaccination because they believe some of the anti-vaccination conspiracy theories, there is an immune-compromised individual who is being put into harm's way because of misinformation because they medically cannot receive the vaccine. In the case of the coronavirus, we are dealing with a very dangerous global pandemic, and I personally think that this falls into the category of "misinformation can be very dangerous."
- s9w 7y ago
  People are entitled to form their own opinions, even and in particular on vaccinations. They own their body after all.
  - jswny 7y ago
    As much as I agree with you when it comes to pretty much anything else, I have to draw a line when it comes to conspiracy theories which are undeniably false such as anti-vaccination ones, which harm others who cannot medically get vaccinations.
    - s9w 7y ago
      I see your point and can understand your position. Just as a counterpoint I would still add that "undeniably false" is a very high bar that many believe is not reached with some topics, the "gospel" (not meant dismissive) on vaccinations being one of them.

thinkingemote 7y ago

Now is not the time to question whether Saddam has weapons of mass destruction.