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The most important term in that definition is "hypothesis", which is a hunch based on little evidence. Why have I suddenly been seeing a bunch of internet comm

The most important term in that definition is "hypothesis", which is a hunch based on little evidence. Why have I suddenly been seeing a bunch of internet comments like yours trying to rehabilitate "conspiracy theory"? Is there some conservative influencer promoting this?

wearywanderer 5y ago
> The most important term in that definition is "hypothesis", which means a hunch based on little evidence. Hunches about conspiracies... okay. Here's a hunch about a conspiracy: Jimmy Hoffa was probably killed by the mob. Real wacky shit, huh? Here is another conspiracy theory: The reason I'm seeing so many people discussing the term 'conspiracy theory' is because of conservative influencers.
- bosswipe 5y ago
  I guess you're right, my influencer idea could be called a conspiracy theory. But I'm genuinely curious, I'd guess I've seen a half dozen defenses of the term in the last month or so.
  - sampo 5y ago
    > I guess you're right, my influencer idea could be called a conspiracy theory. But I'm genuinely curious Being genuinely curious is pretty much included in the definition of being a conspiracy theorist.
  - wearywanderer 5y ago
    The media has been using the term 'conspiracy theory' as a slur against the reasonable hypothesis of lab leak for the past year. People generally being sick of this shit could explain why so many people are speaking out against it. No conspiring necessary.
FriendlyNormie 5y ago
I’d love to see your face peeled off with a knife and your eyeballs scooped out of your skull as you scream.
0x737368 5y ago
Because the phrase "conspiracy theory" comes with a lot of negative associations and can be used to effectively discredit otherwise at the very least worthy of consideration hypotheses. No need for "conservative influencers" to get this, it's such a simple publicity trick a child can come up with it.

wearywanderer 5y ago

> The most important term in that definition is "hypothesis", which means a hunch based on little evidence. Hunches about conspiracies... okay. Here's a hunch about a conspiracy: Jimmy Hoffa was probably killed by the mob. Real wacky shit, huh? Here is another conspiracy theory: The reason I'm seeing so many people discussing the term 'conspiracy theory' is because of conservative influencers.

bosswipe 5y ago
I guess you're right, my influencer idea could be called a conspiracy theory. But I'm genuinely curious, I'd guess I've seen a half dozen defenses of the term in the last month or so.
- sampo 5y ago
  > I guess you're right, my influencer idea could be called a conspiracy theory. But I'm genuinely curious Being genuinely curious is pretty much included in the definition of being a conspiracy theorist.
- wearywanderer 5y ago
  The media has been using the term 'conspiracy theory' as a slur against the reasonable hypothesis of lab leak for the past year. People generally being sick of this shit could explain why so many people are speaking out against it. No conspiring necessary.

FriendlyNormie 5y ago

I’d love to see your face peeled off with a knife and your eyeballs scooped out of your skull as you scream.

0x737368 5y ago

Because the phrase "conspiracy theory" comes with a lot of negative associations and can be used to effectively discredit otherwise at the very least worthy of consideration hypotheses. No need for "conservative influencers" to get this, it's such a simple publicity trick a child can come up with it.