6 Comments
User's avatar
Letters from Rural America's avatar

Correction: conspiracy hypothesizing, not theorizing. Theory gives it way too much weight.

Expand full comment
Douglas Giles's avatar

Point taken, alas, I have learned that I have to use phrases that people recognize, even when they are less accurate.

Expand full comment
Letters from Rural America's avatar

If they don't know the difference between a hypothesis and a theory, they need to learn. :)

hypothesis (n): a testable statement or prediction that attempts to explain a phenomenon

theory (n): a well-substantiated explanation of a phenomenon based on evidence, observations, and experimentation

Big, but easy to understand difference. :)

And framing matters in the context of psychological warfare. :)

Expand full comment
Dogscratcher's avatar

I watched the video rather than reading the article, but well done. Humans seem to have a hyper-sensitive(?) ability to make connections between phenomena whether warranted or not. Probably useful in many contexts, but definitely not in others. The “I’m special!” aspect of conspiracy thinking I think can’t be emphasized enough: especially in our society , people are enculturated from an early age to believe that they’re special, and that belief, well founded or not, drives many to delusional beliefs.

Expand full comment
Douglas Giles's avatar

Very well said, thank you. That “I’m special” sense of needing meaning is the source of so many problems.

Expand full comment
A. Njoto's avatar

Omg why out of so many hat models they pick one that looks like hershey's 😂 kinda cute tho

I kinda like talking to a conspiracist (depends on the day) it's nice to witness such a level of confidence I can only aspire to have. Imagine that kind of energy and attention being directed towards a REAL cause 🫠

Expand full comment