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But maybe it’s a good thing that people say these things out loud so we can discuss them and maybe convince them otherwise? Or learn that in some cases they mi

But maybe it’s a good thing that people say these things out loud so we can discuss them and maybe convince them otherwise? Or learn that in some cases they might be right?

cheschire 4y ago
Sure, if you have patience and energy for those sorts of tug-of-war type conversations.
watwut 4y ago
Not really. It is not that we can convince then. And it is mostly that the world moved toward these and that they won at convincing others.
marcodiego 4y ago
This doesn't work that well. Conspiracists won't change their mind despite any evidence. Unless you're a very good speaker, trying to argue with them will only give them a "stage" to profess their ideas. Arguing against an irrational but skilled speaker will only benefit the unreasonable one, specially if you arguments are simple and technical: most people don't understand simplicity or technicalities; but get hypnotized by voice, fear, indignation and a feeling of "if he is that person is right them I'm screwed!" The best way to counter conspiracists is (I think) leaving them alone and spread rationality among the ones who are still not sick or can be cured.
- epicureanideal 4y ago
  Ok, but there are "committed conspiracists" and "misinformed conspiracists" or people who haven't thought things through very well, and the latter group(s) may benefit from being able to speak their opinion freely and hear counter-arguments.
PenguinCoder 4y ago
No it's not a good thing and you won't ever change someone's mind on their belief in a conspiracy theory, from a one off conversation. people like that have no logical basis for their belief, you can't reason with them using better logic. All you'll end up doing is wasting your time and likely pissing multiple people off. Including yourself. Not worth it.
wiml 4y ago
I think it is good in a way. You're not going to convince them of anything in that ten minute bus stop conversation, not should you try. But it's good for them to have the experience of talking to someone who doesn't believe in their thing, and it's good for both of you to interact with someone you don't share a belief with but still experience them as a person. On the Internet we tend to protect ourselves from the other by replacing them with a caricature. Regardless of who's right and who's wrong that can become a pretty toxic habit.

But maybe it’s a good thing that people say these things out loud so we can discuss them and maybe convince them otherwise? Or learn that in some cases they might be right?

cheschire 4y ago

Sure, if you have patience and energy for those sorts of tug-of-war type conversations.

watwut 4y ago

Not really. It is not that we can convince then. And it is mostly that the world moved toward these and that they won at convincing others.

marcodiego 4y ago

This doesn't work that well. Conspiracists won't change their mind despite any evidence. Unless you're a very good speaker, trying to argue with them will only give them a "stage" to profess their ideas. Arguing against an irrational but skilled speaker will only benefit the unreasonable one, specially if you arguments are simple and technical: most people don't understand simplicity or technicalities; but get hypnotized by voice, fear, indignation and a feeling of "if he is that person is right them I'm screwed!" The best way to counter conspiracists is (I think) leaving them alone and spread rationality among the ones who are still not sick or can be cured.

epicureanideal 4y ago
Ok, but there are "committed conspiracists" and "misinformed conspiracists" or people who haven't thought things through very well, and the latter group(s) may benefit from being able to speak their opinion freely and hear counter-arguments.

PenguinCoder 4y ago

No it's not a good thing and you won't ever change someone's mind on their belief in a conspiracy theory, from a one off conversation. people like that have no logical basis for their belief, you can't reason with them using better logic. All you'll end up doing is wasting your time and likely pissing multiple people off. Including yourself. Not worth it.

wiml 4y ago

I think it is good in a way. You're not going to convince them of anything in that ten minute bus stop conversation, not should you try. But it's good for them to have the experience of talking to someone who doesn't believe in their thing, and it's good for both of you to interact with someone you don't share a belief with but still experience them as a person. On the Internet we tend to protect ourselves from the other by replacing them with a caricature. Regardless of who's right and who's wrong that can become a pretty toxic habit.