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Unproven theories that threaten someone's worldview are typically met with the same reaction as an opposing political opinions, and for similar reasons. Rarely

Unproven theories that threaten someone's worldview are typically met with the same reaction as an opposing political opinions, and for similar reasons. Rarely is it based in logic and consideration, since adjusting one's worldview takes a lot of energy. My advice is to foster a worldview in which you accept that the world is poorly understood and many things are possible, and then you won't have to do significant reorganization (or denial and attack) every time an interesting new idea comes your way. There have been a lot of posts about conspiracies lately, but they have all been pretty tame (or things that were previously considered conspiracies and later proven true). Here are a few more that show that the USA is and has been capable of horrific things since it became a superpower. Now imagine what an autocracy might be doing. Or what things we might be doing that haven't been proven yet/the government actually makes an effort to cover up. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Northwoods https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Northwoods https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Sea-Spray https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Sea-Spray https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_MKUltra https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_MKUltra https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Tonkin_incident https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Tonkin_incident https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubana_de_Aviaci%C3%B3n_Flight_455 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubana_de_Aviaci%C3%B3n_Flight... https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22500231 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22500231 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_surveillance_disclosures_(2013%E2%80%93present) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_surveillance_disclosure... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COINTELPRO https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COINTELPRO https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_A119 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_A119

fit2rule 6y ago
What might those with infinite-secret-keeping powers do with those abilities?
krapp 6y ago
No matter what Snowden uncovered, people who believe the CIA is controlling their thoughts with orbital lasers are wrong, even when they cite Snowden or MKULTRA as "proof." Adopting a worldview that accepts every claim, however absurd, as equally valid to all others is foolish. The world isn't flat, nor hollow. COVID isn't part of a New World Order plot to harvest your adrenochrome, we did on the moon, Hillary Clinton doesn't bathe in the blood of child sex slaves to maintain her human form, Sandy Hook was not a false flag, there are no FEMA death camps, no aliens at Area 51, HAARP doesn't control the weather, CERN didn't hack the Matrix, "cultural marxism" doesn't really exist, and neither does the "Deep State." You can accept that the world is more complex than you understand, and that conspiracies exist, while still having a standard for obvious bullshit. Or at the very least, while being dubious of extraordinary claims presented without extraordinary proof.
- lend000 6y ago
  Of course, no one suggests that you accept every claim, but instead that you truly evaluate them, especially those with compelling arguments and evidence. Most people struggle to distinguish between ridiculous and taboo. There is a difference. Your reaction is the reaction I described -- it sounds like you have some work to do on being more open-minded. Being more open minded has helped me across many facets of my life, and I still have plenty of room for improvement. I highly recommend it.
  - bad_extension 6y ago
    Which of the mentioned claims do you think need more open-mindness?
    - bondarchuk 6y ago
      There is a kernel of truth to almost all of them, and what's concerning is when the most extreme bullshit is used to discredit this kernel of truth (and guess who benefits from this..). I think the cool kids call it "motte and bailey" nowadays. Most obviously, although indeed "Hillary Clinton doesn't bathe in the blood of child sex slaves to maintain her human form", there is now conclusive evidence of child sex slavery in the highest echelons of society.
      - lend000 6y ago
        This: it's transparent and embarrassing when someone uses hyperbole to misrepresent and discredit someone else's opinion. Yet it's one of the most common forms of "debate" on the internet. I've found it's probably a futile exercise trying to have a productive discussion with someone who is set in their ways online. I have had much more success in person, because there is more mutual respect, which breeds open-mindedness, even when it challenges a worldview. Disclaimer: I haven't personally seen any compelling arguments for any of the conspiracies he listed save one, though I doubt anyone would phrase their opinions the way the original poster did.
abathur 6y ago
> Unproven theories that threaten someone's worldview are typically met with the same reaction as an opposing political opinions, and for similar reasons. Rarely is it based in logic and consideration, since adjusting one's worldview takes a lot of energy. This is the proverbial two-way street: unproven theories that reinforce someone's worldview are typically met with the same reaction as supporting political opinions and for similar reasons. Rarely is it based in logic and consideration, since adjusting one's worldview takes a lot of energy.

fit2rule 6y ago

What might those with infinite-secret-keeping powers do with those abilities?

krapp 6y ago

No matter what Snowden uncovered, people who believe the CIA is controlling their thoughts with orbital lasers are wrong, even when they cite Snowden or MKULTRA as "proof." Adopting a worldview that accepts every claim, however absurd, as equally valid to all others is foolish. The world isn't flat, nor hollow. COVID isn't part of a New World Order plot to harvest your adrenochrome, we did on the moon, Hillary Clinton doesn't bathe in the blood of child sex slaves to maintain her human form, Sandy Hook was not a false flag, there are no FEMA death camps, no aliens at Area 51, HAARP doesn't control the weather, CERN didn't hack the Matrix, "cultural marxism" doesn't really exist, and neither does the "Deep State." You can accept that the world is more complex than you understand, and that conspiracies exist, while still having a standard for obvious bullshit. Or at the very least, while being dubious of extraordinary claims presented without extraordinary proof.

lend000 6y ago
Of course, no one suggests that you accept every claim, but instead that you truly evaluate them, especially those with compelling arguments and evidence. Most people struggle to distinguish between ridiculous and taboo. There is a difference. Your reaction is the reaction I described -- it sounds like you have some work to do on being more open-minded. Being more open minded has helped me across many facets of my life, and I still have plenty of room for improvement. I highly recommend it.
- bad_extension 6y ago
  Which of the mentioned claims do you think need more open-mindness?
  - bondarchuk 6y ago
    There is a kernel of truth to almost all of them, and what's concerning is when the most extreme bullshit is used to discredit this kernel of truth (and guess who benefits from this..). I think the cool kids call it "motte and bailey" nowadays. Most obviously, although indeed "Hillary Clinton doesn't bathe in the blood of child sex slaves to maintain her human form", there is now conclusive evidence of child sex slavery in the highest echelons of society.
    - lend000 6y ago
      This: it's transparent and embarrassing when someone uses hyperbole to misrepresent and discredit someone else's opinion. Yet it's one of the most common forms of "debate" on the internet. I've found it's probably a futile exercise trying to have a productive discussion with someone who is set in their ways online. I have had much more success in person, because there is more mutual respect, which breeds open-mindedness, even when it challenges a worldview. Disclaimer: I haven't personally seen any compelling arguments for any of the conspiracies he listed save one, though I doubt anyone would phrase their opinions the way the original poster did.

abathur 6y ago

> Unproven theories that threaten someone's worldview are typically met with the same reaction as an opposing political opinions, and for similar reasons. Rarely is it based in logic and consideration, since adjusting one's worldview takes a lot of energy. This is the proverbial two-way street: unproven theories that reinforce someone's worldview are typically met with the same reaction as supporting political opinions and for similar reasons. Rarely is it based in logic and consideration, since adjusting one's worldview takes a lot of energy.