It seems like you see phrases like this all over the internet: "I don't mean to sound like a crazy conspiracy theorist, but..." "Sorry to put on my tinfoil hat for a second, but...."
And so on. Not to mention the absurd levels of vitriol, personal attacks, and name calling that invariably pops up in actual conspiracy forums, and the widespread ridicule of "conspiritards" on reddit and elsewhere.
Of course there are some conspiracy theories that are less believable than others, but my main question is: what exactly is so abhorred about conspiracy theorists? Why is it an insult to call someone a conspiracy theorist? Is it not common sense that people can act in concert for illicit means, i.e., in conspiracy? Has it not been proven over and over again that conspiracies do occur?
Are anti-conspiracy theorists acting out of fear for the status quo, or is there something legitimately despicable about these people?
I might also suggest that professional shills have something to do with the ridiculous levels of hate that show up in conspiracy communities, and I will also mention that the term "conspiracy theorist" was weaponized by the CIA in the wake of the JFK assassination to discredit individuals who criticized, or doubted the official narrative.
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[–] BRITTEACH 0 points 8 points 8 points (+8|-0) ago (edited ago)
Personally I'm not opposed to conspiracy theories. I find them interesting and sometimes entertaining. I think those who are adamantly opposed to them are uncomfortable with the uncertainty that accompanies most conspiracy theories.
For instance, many people taking comfort in the Warren Commission report about the Kennedy assassination feeling that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone shooter. Then, after considerable study along comes the view in the late 70s, that there may have been more than one gunman and that there may have been a conspiracy to assassinate the president.
Some people like their history in neatly wrapped packages with a clear beginning, middle, and end. But history doesn't work that way. The only thing we can be certain about are basic facts such as names, dates, and places, but how they connect to each other and the sequence of events is too often left to a variety of witnesses who must rely on their memory to recount their experience. And everyone by now understands the limitations and failings of memory. So what we have left is a composite and conjecture.
IT is also possible that if a conspiracy opens up the truth of an event, the outcome may be more than most people can handle. For instance, let's assume that a Cadre of CIA, FBI, and other high level political officials had a hand in the death of Kennedy ostensibly for his indecisiveNess with Bay of Pigs and his signaling a lack of support for Vietnam, would Americans really be comfortable with the fact that the military industrial complex, which benefitted from JFK's death, is actually running the government and that the President is really nothing more than a tool of those interests?
No. Americans want to believe they have a voice in their government, that it is of the people, for the people. They would never accept that it is in fact an oligarchy run by tech, military, corporations, and big banks. And yet they have no problem buying into the belief that all they need to do is go out and vote. As if their vote really means something. It doesn't unless they do the work necessary to keeping a government operating for the good of all, and not just those with deep pockets. It is alot of work, and Americans, particularly are a selfish lot. And where you have those who are not selfish, you will find them indifferent or exasperated.