5 ms·

Birds Aren’t Real, or Are They? Inside a Gen Z Conspiracy Theory

29 points by tysone 5y ago

tjr 5y ago
Related (not sure which theory came first, the broader, or the more specific): https://pigeonsarentreal.co.uk/ https://pigeonsarentreal.co.uk/
harpiaharpyja 5y ago
You're missing out on life if you think birds aren't real.
- throwaway946513 5y ago
  They're as true as the flat earth. Show me the curve.
- wolverine876 5y ago
  You are misunderstanding Birds Aren't Real.
- merb 5y ago
  you should at least say that you are working for the government and want that we believe you. ridiculous
mythrwy 5y ago
These kind of "conspiracy theories" appear very fake to me. It's almost like "See, conspiracy theories are so dumb! This being established, it's obvious that XX theory about what our corporate overlords and politicians are corruptly doing against our self interest is also dumb".
- felipeqq2 5y ago
  afaik, the "birds aren't real" movement is a joke indeed. They'll never say that to you, though
  - pseudalopex 5y ago
    They just did.
dogleash 5y ago
>It might smack of QAnon, the conspiracy theory that the world is controlled by an elite cabal of child-trafficking Democrats. Except that the creator of Birds Aren’t Real and the movement’s followers are in on a joke: They know that birds are, in fact, real and that their theory is made up. No shit. A real revelation from NYT would be admitting how many QAnon posters are just in it for the laughs too.
- addicted 5y ago
  It's not supposed to be a "revelation". It's literally revealed in the introductory paragraphs.
- wolverine876 5y ago
  > how many QAnon posters are just in it for the laughs too How many? What do you know? Birds Aren't Real doesn't drive real world events. Government officials and parts of major parties aren't supporting them.
  - TigeriusKirk 5y ago
    QAnon started for laughs. Then it spiraled out of control. That happens with a lot of joke conspiracy theories.
    - wolverine876 5y ago
      > QAnon started for laughs. What is that based on? Of all topics, QAnon is one that requires solid evidence.
- ChainOfFools 5y ago
  isn't this the same origin of the flat earth society, a joke that ran out of space for people to all be on the inside of?
CRConrad 5y ago
So this: https://www.insider.com/history-anthropology-tiktoker-ancient-rome-not-real-backlash-viral-2021-12 https://www.insider.com/history-anthropology-tiktoker-ancien... ...is supposed to be a "joke" of the same kind? Sorry, I must be getting too old -- lawn, geroff, etc etc -- but I just don't think it's funny. It's all just stupid.
- ksaj 5y ago
  The Birds Aren't Real movement isn't supposed to be funny. It's purpose is esoteric, in that it is a Gen Z response to fake news and conspiracy theory overload. Anyway, that's all in the article, which I'm sure you've read since you commented on it. The one you linked to is probably a failed attempt at the same thing. The problem with the Ancient Rome anti-theory is that it very well can lead people astray on historical fact, whereas the Birds Aren't Real movement intentionally ensures none of their "facts" are believable. I would compare it with the Flying Spaghetti Monster, whereas the Rome video is straight up disinformation.
  - CRConrad 5y ago
    > The Birds Aren't Real movement isn't supposed to be funny. It's purpose is esoteric, in that it is a Gen Z response to fake news and conspiracy theory overload. But then it's just old hat, isn't it? Shit like that has been around since about forever, and it feels to me that the "Bielefeld/Belgium doesn't exist!" meme wasn't just for fun either, but contained at least some element of "Wake up and think for yourselves". (And wasn't there one about horses, too?) But, OK... Those were, I guess, by Millennials and probably even Generation X. So each generation has to have their own version? Forgive me for not getting that; now get your lawn out of my grey beard. (BTW, none of this compares directly to the "Flying Spaghetti Monster", IMO: That doesn't really, compared to the established religions it lampoons, "intentionally ensures none of their 'facts' are believable" but actually, logically, is just as credible as they are.)
haspoken 5y ago
https://archive.md/1MDLG https://archive.md/1MDLG

29 points by tysone 5y ago

tjr 5y ago

Related (not sure which theory came first, the broader, or the more specific): https://pigeonsarentreal.co.uk/ https://pigeonsarentreal.co.uk/

harpiaharpyja 5y ago

You're missing out on life if you think birds aren't real.

throwaway946513 5y ago
They're as true as the flat earth. Show me the curve.
wolverine876 5y ago
You are misunderstanding Birds Aren't Real.
merb 5y ago
you should at least say that you are working for the government and want that we believe you. ridiculous

mythrwy 5y ago

These kind of "conspiracy theories" appear very fake to me. It's almost like "See, conspiracy theories are so dumb! This being established, it's obvious that XX theory about what our corporate overlords and politicians are corruptly doing against our self interest is also dumb".

felipeqq2 5y ago
afaik, the "birds aren't real" movement is a joke indeed. They'll never say that to you, though
- pseudalopex 5y ago
  They just did.

dogleash 5y ago

>It might smack of QAnon, the conspiracy theory that the world is controlled by an elite cabal of child-trafficking Democrats. Except that the creator of Birds Aren’t Real and the movement’s followers are in on a joke: They know that birds are, in fact, real and that their theory is made up. No shit. A real revelation from NYT would be admitting how many QAnon posters are just in it for the laughs too.

addicted 5y ago
It's not supposed to be a "revelation". It's literally revealed in the introductory paragraphs.
wolverine876 5y ago
> how many QAnon posters are just in it for the laughs too How many? What do you know? Birds Aren't Real doesn't drive real world events. Government officials and parts of major parties aren't supporting them.
- TigeriusKirk 5y ago
  QAnon started for laughs. Then it spiraled out of control. That happens with a lot of joke conspiracy theories.
  - wolverine876 5y ago
    > QAnon started for laughs. What is that based on? Of all topics, QAnon is one that requires solid evidence.
ChainOfFools 5y ago
isn't this the same origin of the flat earth society, a joke that ran out of space for people to all be on the inside of?

CRConrad 5y ago

So this: https://www.insider.com/history-anthropology-tiktoker-ancient-rome-not-real-backlash-viral-2021-12 https://www.insider.com/history-anthropology-tiktoker-ancien... ...is supposed to be a "joke" of the same kind? Sorry, I must be getting too old -- lawn, geroff, etc etc -- but I just don't think it's funny. It's all just stupid.

ksaj 5y ago
The Birds Aren't Real movement isn't supposed to be funny. It's purpose is esoteric, in that it is a Gen Z response to fake news and conspiracy theory overload. Anyway, that's all in the article, which I'm sure you've read since you commented on it. The one you linked to is probably a failed attempt at the same thing. The problem with the Ancient Rome anti-theory is that it very well can lead people astray on historical fact, whereas the Birds Aren't Real movement intentionally ensures none of their "facts" are believable. I would compare it with the Flying Spaghetti Monster, whereas the Rome video is straight up disinformation.
- CRConrad 5y ago
  > The Birds Aren't Real movement isn't supposed to be funny. It's purpose is esoteric, in that it is a Gen Z response to fake news and conspiracy theory overload. But then it's just old hat, isn't it? Shit like that has been around since about forever, and it feels to me that the "Bielefeld/Belgium doesn't exist!" meme wasn't just for fun either, but contained at least some element of "Wake up and think for yourselves". (And wasn't there one about horses, too?) But, OK... Those were, I guess, by Millennials and probably even Generation X. So each generation has to have their own version? Forgive me for not getting that; now get your lawn out of my grey beard. (BTW, none of this compares directly to the "Flying Spaghetti Monster", IMO: That doesn't really, compared to the established religions it lampoons, "intentionally ensures none of their 'facts' are believable" but actually, logically, is just as credible as they are.)

haspoken 5y ago

https://archive.md/1MDLG https://archive.md/1MDLG