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He could have been driven to crackpottery also. Consider this hypothetical: A person in intelligence knows something you would rather didn't get out, but you s

He could have been driven to crackpottery also. Consider this hypothetical: A person in intelligence knows something you would rather didn't get out, but you suspect there's a chance they will leak it. Maybe they have a personality that leads you to believe they can't in good conscience keep that secret, or maybe you're just callous and paranoid, doesn't really make a difference. One thing you could do is convince them of something completely ridiculous that no one will take seriously. Even easier if there is a large existing community of nutters that already believe that (possibly you manufactured that too, just for such an occasion). Put on some little shows, make sure they see some documents they "weren't supposed to", and when they've bought into it enough have someone all but confirm it to them in person. Then, if they're in a leaking mood, they'll discredit themselves for you.

johnea 3y ago
I always thought this was the point of alex jones... Some real conspiracies are revealed, but they're mixed in with so much super psycho that everything gets discredited...
- asfarley 3y ago
  It’s called a limited hangout
Georgelemental 3y ago
I'm pretty sure there are documented, widely-recognized case of this happening. Can't remember the details, but I think it was an amateur radio operator that found a secret broadcasting station, and was thrown off the trail when said station decided to broadcast fake stuff about aliens. And another case where the government needed to test animals for radiation following a nuclear test, so secretly stole them from farms in a way that suggested UFO abduction? I can't remember where I read/heard this, but sure it is on the internet somewhere.
hirvi74 3y ago
> He could have been driven to crackpottery also. What if it was against his will? What I mean is what if he has served his purpose and the government did something to make him slip into borderline insanity? Not saying that I even remotely believe this, then again. . . It's not like the US government hasn't carried out horrible, immoral, and unethical experiments before. Seriously though, it' one of those fun Black Mirror-like plots that pop in my head occasionally. Since everyone is throwing out all kinds of what-ifs I thought I'd try to have some fun too.

johnea 3y ago

I always thought this was the point of alex jones... Some real conspiracies are revealed, but they're mixed in with so much super psycho that everything gets discredited...

asfarley 3y ago
It’s called a limited hangout

Georgelemental 3y ago

I'm pretty sure there are documented, widely-recognized case of this happening. Can't remember the details, but I think it was an amateur radio operator that found a secret broadcasting station, and was thrown off the trail when said station decided to broadcast fake stuff about aliens. And another case where the government needed to test animals for radiation following a nuclear test, so secretly stole them from farms in a way that suggested UFO abduction? I can't remember where I read/heard this, but sure it is on the internet somewhere.

hirvi74 3y ago

> He could have been driven to crackpottery also. What if it was against his will? What I mean is what if he has served his purpose and the government did something to make him slip into borderline insanity? Not saying that I even remotely believe this, then again. . . It's not like the US government hasn't carried out horrible, immoral, and unethical experiments before. Seriously though, it' one of those fun Black Mirror-like plots that pop in my head occasionally. Since everyone is throwing out all kinds of what-ifs I thought I'd try to have some fun too.