3 ms·

Let's break down the phrase: "Conspiracy": A secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful; the action of plotting or conspiring. "Theory": A sup

by moate 5y ago

Let's break down the phrase: "Conspiracy": A secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful; the action of plotting or conspiring. "Theory": A supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained. What you're offering is a conspiracy theory. It's a possible explanation for an event that alleges a conspiracy (either the cover up of an accidental leak or malicious intentional leak). Adding "do your own research/it's up to you to believe" at the end of a conspiracy theory doesn't make it not a conspiracy theory.

josephcsible 5y ago
The phrase "conspiracy theory" carries baggage beyond that of the individual definitions of the two words.
- moate 5y ago
  Oh I get that, but that's my point. Saying "this isn't a conspiracy theory because that phrase has negative connotations I don't want associated with MY conspiracy theory" isn't going to make it not a conspiracy theory. I firmly believe Epstein didn't kill himself. I'm aware it's a conspiracy theory. Let's call a spade a spade.
linuxftw 5y ago
Here's a 'conspiracy theory:' I think org XYZ is doing nefarious things because X happened and it's in their best interest to cover it up. See, there's no first hand evidence, there's just raw speculation. A whistleblower, on the other hand, claims to have a 1st hand account of nefarious or at the least misleading actions of a particular entity. I didn't offer any theories. The person making the claim isn't offering theories, they're offering first hand accounts. If you say this person is lying for political purposes, it's you who's creating a conspiracy theory.
- moate 5y ago
  Sometimes I like to use the following example when it comes to semantics and discourse: If you start a sentence with the phrase "This isn't a sex thing, but..." no matter what you say afterwards will be interpreted as having possible sexual meanings. If you want to frame something by saying it's not something else, people will make the connection. Why? Because you made it for them.
  - linuxftw 5y ago
    The first one to mention conspiracy theory was the poster I originally responded to (possibly you?). When I read "conspiracy theory" I think to myself "this person gets their facts from CNN and no place else." Just ignore the man behind the curtain.

by moate 5y ago

josephcsible 5y ago

The phrase "conspiracy theory" carries baggage beyond that of the individual definitions of the two words.

moate 5y ago
Oh I get that, but that's my point. Saying "this isn't a conspiracy theory because that phrase has negative connotations I don't want associated with MY conspiracy theory" isn't going to make it not a conspiracy theory. I firmly believe Epstein didn't kill himself. I'm aware it's a conspiracy theory. Let's call a spade a spade.

linuxftw 5y ago

Here's a 'conspiracy theory:' I think org XYZ is doing nefarious things because X happened and it's in their best interest to cover it up. See, there's no first hand evidence, there's just raw speculation. A whistleblower, on the other hand, claims to have a 1st hand account of nefarious or at the least misleading actions of a particular entity. I didn't offer any theories. The person making the claim isn't offering theories, they're offering first hand accounts. If you say this person is lying for political purposes, it's you who's creating a conspiracy theory.

moate 5y ago
Sometimes I like to use the following example when it comes to semantics and discourse: If you start a sentence with the phrase "This isn't a sex thing, but..." no matter what you say afterwards will be interpreted as having possible sexual meanings. If you want to frame something by saying it's not something else, people will make the connection. Why? Because you made it for them.
- linuxftw 5y ago
  The first one to mention conspiracy theory was the poster I originally responded to (possibly you?). When I read "conspiracy theory" I think to myself "this person gets their facts from CNN and no place else." Just ignore the man behind the curtain.