I consider "conspiracy theorist" to be a slur at this point. Like calling someone a "deviant thinker." Not cool for anyone to use the term in argument. Low form of gaslighting

1  2018-09-30 by The_In-Betweener

https://twitter.com/JaredBeck/status/1045971739623256065

So I have been debating about the word conspiracy and whether or not it is useful or even possible to take the power of this word back from its propagandized form.

Some feel that using this word only discredits the idea. Others, such as myself, feel that taking the power of this word back is important to advancing the dialogue of our society.

I've personally documented the usage of this word in MSM on a daily basis. There is no doubt that it is mostly used to deride those who entertain certain ideas.

What are your feelings being on a conspiracy sub in a culture where the term 'conspiracy theorist' is used to paint a broad stroke of those involved in these pursuits?

The other day I watched the return of 'Murphy Brown.' Within the first several minutes they include 'conspiracy theorist' and 'flat earth' in the same conversation. Obvious agenda?

"Conspiracy is a common form of human behaviour across all cultures throughout recorded time, and it has always been particularly widespread in politics. Virtually all of us conspire some of the time, and some people (such as spies) conspire virtually all of the time. - https://theconversation.com/in-defence-of-conspiracy-theories-and-why-the-term-is-a-misnomer-101678

36 comments

1  The_In-Betweener 2018-09-30

I hereby assert that 5 A levels and an Oxford degree contributed zero — literally NOTHING — to my core critical thinking skills. Logical thinking, totally, but that's NOT the same thing. Critical thinking involves no automatic deference to authority, especially that of examiners. - https://twitter.com/martingeddes/status/1045971454192431110

1  no1113 2018-09-30

It's a word that, covertly, got purposefully created into a marginalizing term of vilification by the CIA in order to attempt to shut down people who were questioning the "official" state narrative of any particular event that was heavily manipulated, but whose authenticity started being challenged by the public.

1  digiorno 2018-09-30

In other words the CIA intended for “Conspiracy Theorist” to be a slur when they invented it.

1  no1113 2018-09-30

As I've said before, brevity has never been my strong suit.

1  digiorno 2018-09-30

That side, I think you described the nuances of the situation rather well.

1  aaaaaaaaaaanonymous 2018-09-30

"When a light shall shine among them, we shall extinguish it by ridicule, or death, whichever suits us best."

http://educate-yourself.org/cn/secretcovenant12sep06.shtml

This most potent method of mental offense is utilized because it caters to one's bias and prejudice. Insight is needed - not blind adherents to the gospel of mockery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yau0wOEDZkE - Ad hominem.

1  OrdinaryAardvark 2018-09-30

It's a compliment. If you're not a conspiracy theorists, you're not a great thinker.

1  Lord_Kristopf 2018-09-30

Unfortunately, it’s still something of a dismissive, discrediting, mild perjoritive for a great many people.

In some ways, it’s almost the most modern and effective thought-terminating cliche.

1  JimAtEOI 2018-09-30

Conspiracy theorist is not bad of course, but it is a pejorative to most, so I recommend never using it. Same with truther.

I usually say conspiracy investigator.

1  EatingTurkey 2018-09-30

It definitely needs new branding. And yes I kinda hate myself for using that word.

CT's are considered delusional tinhat wearing malcontents. I cannot even mention them in my circle of friends. The eye rolling is immediate and it's a conversation ender.

1  Skynet3301 2018-09-30

Nicely said.

1  Riceandtits 2018-09-30

Sticks and stones..my truther..

1  bittermanscolon 2018-09-30

Yeah, yeah but if you never address the core issue you have ignorant people doing the same because they don't know any better.

Then if they were ever to think outside the proverbial box, they themselves will run into the same issue. Instead of correcting the problem so that real conversations can be had about this. Instead, its just a way to disregard people and ideas.

1  elcad 2018-09-30

"Heretic" works just fine. Maybe "apostate".

1  The_In-Betweener 2018-09-30

A new Inquisition?

It’s a function similar to that served by the term “heresy” in medieval Europe. In both cases these are terms of propaganda, used to stigmatise and marginalise people who have beliefs that conflict with officially sanctioned or orthodox beliefs of the time and place in question.

If, as I believe, the treatment of those labelled as “conspiracy theorists” in our culture is analogous to the treatment of those labelled as “heretics” in medieval Europe, then the role of psychologists and social scientists in this treatment is analogous to that of the Inquisition.

Outside the psychology and social science literature some authors will sometimes offer some, usually heavily qualified, defence of conspiracy theories (in some sense of the term). But among psychologists and social scientists the assumption that they are false, the product of an irrational (or nonrational) process, and positively harmful is virtually universal.

Whenever we use the terms “conspiracy theory”, “conspiracism” or “conspiracist ideation”, we’re implying, even if we don’t mean to, there is something wrong with believing, wanting to investigate, or giving any credence at all to the possibility people are engaged in secretive or deceptive behaviour.

One bad effect of these terms is they contribute to a political environment in which it’s easier for conspiracy to thrive at the expense of openness. Another bad effect is their use is an injustice to the people who are characterised as conspiracy theorists.

1  jonnyredshorts 2018-09-30

We all know the CIA weaponized the term to combat the fact that enough people realized that the Warren Commission was full of shit.

1  Jekill417 2018-09-30

Adapt to the situation, avoid being immediately discredited. Wait for the label to become more acceptable then it can be embraced.

First call of business though is the exclusion and exile of obvious psyops and the irreconcilably retarded 'conspiracies' that force their way into prominence - Flat-earth, hologram planes, reptilians and the like.

1  allonthesameteam 2018-09-30

Conspiracy definition. con·spir·a·cy /kənˈspirəsē/ noun 1. a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful: "a conspiracy to destroy the government"

Every day there are millions of conspiracies planned or committed. Simple ones like a property management firm trying to get rid of long term tenants to move out to raise the rent up to a group overthrowing an elected government to gain control of a nation and insert a central bank. The difference is that it is more than one person involved.

My theory is that many people who pretend to be masters of industry, representatives of the electorate, administers of justice, law enforcement, etc are behaving in a conspiratorial way that is illegal. Debunk that!!!!

1  fuckyouImnotnice 2018-09-30

I watched the return of 'Murphy Brown.'

Don't encourage it.

1  nordicgreys 2018-09-30

Critical thinker.

1  neoconbob 2018-09-30

i prefer "truth seeker"

1  zenmasterzen3 2018-09-30

Well transexual lovers like alex jones and charlie sheen aren't helping ...

1  ramalamadingdongs 2018-09-30

I use it as a badge of honor. Anyone that thinks conspiracy theorists is negative doesn't know how to rationalize or think of themselves and they're labeling themselves by thinking they're labeling you. It's a very fast way to determine if this person is capable of giving any thoughtful advice or just repeating what they've heard regardless if they know it to be sound or not

1  MrJDouble 2018-09-30

Great way to identify free thinkers AND instantly discredit what someone is saying

1  WestCoastHippy 2018-09-30

New Murphy Brown gonna be more propaganda SJW messaging than the new Will & Grace.

But yes, it is gaslighting. The best, and really only defense: "Yea? Well, the CIA invented that term to disguise the JFK murder so, you glad the CIA killed JFK?"

This may have more weight on older folks.

1  rodental 2018-09-30

Nah, own it.

1  MortalWombat1974 2018-09-30

Any word can be sabotaged through use. The trick is to not let the bastards win and drive you off any label that you find useful.

I think part of the problem here is that the conspiracy community has been co-opted by the far right. It used to be much more apolitical and a broad movement with many different beliefs, now it's becoming a code word for people who think their ideological enemies on the left are satanic child abusers.

1  its0nLikeDonkeyKong 2018-09-30

Uh no. It seems someone wants the conspiracy community to be associated with the far right.

It is still made up of many different beliefs etc. But it's a conspiracy in itself that the pursuit of truth has been "coopted by the far right"

1  SuperCharged2000 2018-09-30

This has been linked for brigade

https://www.reddit.com/r/TopMindsOfReddit/comments/9k7ya4/top_mind_if_youre_not_a_conspiracy_theorists/

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1  whynotdsocialist 2018-09-30

I consider it a badge of enlightenment.

We still need people who are ready to reach out/push instead of just point out conspiracy.

1  skywalk819 2018-09-30

Just be a public analyst