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Penny for your thoughts, TWTD, on what is a very sensitive topic.
Should we be able to post conspiracy theories on here?
It comes down to a matter of opinion about what is 'free thinking' and what can be or is actually quite dangerous.
Our freedom of expression should be allowed as much as possible, but where do we draw the line when ideas are peddled which could affect the wellbeing of others?
Should posts require substantiation, with relevant evidence and facts, or should it be free reign?
This seems to be a growing issue in the modern world, especially with the prevalance of social media.
Do you have any ideas or a potential solution to this problem? Or isn't it a problem at all?
Dear old footers KC - Private Counsel to Big Farmer - Liberator of Vichy TWTD
Conspiracy theories, misinformation on 20:50 - Nov 11 by footers
One of my main gripes with properly out-there conspiracies is that a lot of actual conspiracies which have happened get dragged into it.
MK-ULTRA was real. As were many other things.
But stuff like lizards ruling the world or whatever simply puts them in the same basket for many.
So on the Lizard<........>blimey it was true continuum where does new vaccines may have unexpected long term consequences/side effects sit. If people want to apply the precautionary principle should they be dismissed as fantasists.
"They break our legs and tell us to be grateful when they offer us crutches."
Conspiracy theories, misinformation on 21:27 - Nov 11 by J2BLUE
Surely no one can be surprised I have no clue wtf i'm talking about?
Chuck a couple of duck legs in your slow cooker J2.
Good pinch of salt and a thimble of water. Set to low mid-morning and leave them be for the day.
That evening if you use the oven for potatoes or whatever, you could put the legs in there on high for 10-20 minutes to brown them if you like, but move them carefully cos they'll fall apart.
Conspiracy theories, misinformation on 22:08 - Nov 11 by jeera
Chuck a couple of duck legs in your slow cooker J2.
Good pinch of salt and a thimble of water. Set to low mid-morning and leave them be for the day.
That evening if you use the oven for potatoes or whatever, you could put the legs in there on high for 10-20 minutes to brown them if you like, but move them carefully cos they'll fall apart.
Just don't forget that potatoes aren't one of your five a day.
Pronouns: He/Him/His.
"Imagine being a heterosexual white male in Britain at this moment. How bad is that. Everything you say is racist, everything you say is homophobic. The Woke community have really f****d this country."
Conspiracy theories, misinformation on 22:13 - Nov 11 by jeera
This is true.
You definitely want some carrots, julienne cut, with a few mange tout on a small bed of kale.
Actually, mashed potatoes are best there tbh.
A few junipers in with the duck maybe.
Sounds good. What time shall I come over?
Pronouns: He/Him/His.
"Imagine being a heterosexual white male in Britain at this moment. How bad is that. Everything you say is racist, everything you say is homophobic. The Woke community have really f****d this country."
Conspiracy theories, misinformation on 22:18 - Nov 11 by jeera
Around May, maybe June?
2022 - once the Plan-demic is over?
Pronouns: He/Him/His.
"Imagine being a heterosexual white male in Britain at this moment. How bad is that. Everything you say is racist, everything you say is homophobic. The Woke community have really f****d this country."
It was the use to which he put the information that he had (or hadn't) using this method of analysis that was dubious.
And that was my point really. Rumsfeld and co waged a war against a foe on false pretences who had no involvement or links to the events that were the trigger for it. It’s been proven that Saddam and Al Qaeda had no relationship yet off we all trot to war based on many lies, which brings us to 9/11.
Many believe 9/11 is a criminal cover up, others label it a conspiracy theory. When you look at everything that happened post 9/11 and you read the Toronto Report and compare it to the Official 9/11 Commission Report, there are staggering questions that remain unanswered. The Official Commission Report is commonly accepted as it’s written by government sources. The Toronto Report is an independent hearing of globally renowned experts. The latter should hold more credibility as its independent yet sadly, the Commission Report theories are more widely accepted as they uphold messages that circulated in main stream media in the immediate aftermath.
Conspiracy theories, misinformation on 19:57 - Nov 11 by J2BLUE
Spot on.
I think it should a common sense approach as well. If people are arguing climate change is a hoax or that the earth is flat then let the thread run.
If someone is posting that the pandemic is a hoax or vaccines are for some other nefarious purpose then that should be met with zero tolerance and a ban IMO. We are at war with this virus. If you run disinformation campaigns for the enemy you deserve to be banned.
The third category is potentially libelous accusations with no proof. These should be removed in line with our justice system where people are innocent until proven guilty. Repeat offenders should be banned, especially if they are politically motivated. I think we all know the accusations which follow Hillary Clinton around and they seem to be thrown at anyone else who is a Democrat as well.
TL, DR - Stupidity - leave it up, libel - remove and potentially ban, dangerous misinformation - instant ban
All IMO only.
Ban people... Give your head a wobble ffs. I hate it on here when others suggest bans for people. It's a message board to debate. There are some excellent debates on here but just because people don't agree with things doesn't mean that they should be banned. Saying the virus is a hoax or being anti vaccine isn't a hanging offence. We can all make our own minds up. Im sure someone expressing their opinions on here about it isn't going to alter the mindset of any other poster. Im definitely going to get vaccinated by the way and someone saying the virus is a hoax certainly isnt going to change my mind nor anyone else's on here I'm sure.
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Conspiracy theories, misinformation on 07:39 - Nov 12 with 1028 views
I don’t think that conspiracy theories are that big of a problem in reality. Yes, they drive certain people but who are they and what power do they actually have?
I’d say they’re symptomatic of a bigger problem, which is how human beings are poor at recognizing and responding to the actual stuff that is happening every day in plain sight.
For example, what’s ultimately more damaging as a belief? People believing 9/11 was an inside job? Or people convincing themselves that 4 million children living in poverty is acceptable and that our political discussion should actively focus on other things?
Of course, the conspiracy theories can overlap with the everyday stuff and cloud them but that’s not at the heart of our inability and unwillingness to see the world as it is. Those theories are mere sideshows.
[Post edited 12 Nov 2020 7:40]
Pronouns: He/Him
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Conspiracy theories, misinformation on 08:28 - Nov 12 with 982 views
A lot of the time, you will find conspiracy theorists will trot out their theory without evidence, but will then demand evidence to debunk it. That's the key issue/problem as the proof of fact is very much one-sided.
Really good read that, and just sad to see the depths some sink to and even worse that there are people happy to manipulate people so terribly for a few dollars
Tough one. Part of me thinks everything should be allowed and, as others have said, others can debunk it.
However my experience is that the above is incredibly idealistic. People don't want to be persuaded. If they are coming on here to talk about it, their mind is already made up. What they are trying to do at that point is persuade others to join their cause.
If people genuinely thought about these conspiracies, then things like QAnon would never get out of *chan culture where they started.
Unfortunately (and I mean that), the most effective solution is deplatforming. It's the only thing that works currently. If we find a less blunt tool, I'd absolutely be all for it.
If people are interested, there's this quite fun video on conspiracies (the guy is also makes other great content). It's over an hour long as a warning, so might be one to watch with a (few) glasses of wine.
A lot of the time, you will find conspiracy theorists will trot out their theory without evidence, but will then demand evidence to debunk it. That's the key issue/problem as the proof of fact is very much one-sided.
"A lot of the time, you will find conspiracy theorists will trot out their theory without evidence, but will then demand evidence to debunk it"
Does this not cover organised religion too?
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Conspiracy theories, misinformation on 09:47 - Nov 12 with 900 views
Conspiracy theories, misinformation on 21:53 - Nov 11 by J2BLUE
The ancient past is genuinely fascinating to be fair. There's a hell of a lot we can't explain.
Altho much of it becomes far more explicable if we ditch the Victorian idea that our ancestors were somehow mentally less capable or understanding, plus realising how much can be done without the use of power tools when you get enough people together.
For example, in around 240 BC, Eratosthenes calculated the circumference of the Earth based upon his observations, getting a number incredibly close to the actual measurement (error margin of 2.5% or less, depending upon which version of the ancient unit of measurement - stadion - he was using).
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