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William Seger

(11,294 posts)
6. Um... No
Tue Sep 17, 2013, 08:38 PM
Sep 2013

> That's just one example of "conspiracy theories" that were true.

No, it isn't. First, "conspiracy theory" has come to have a fairly specific idiomatic meaning -- specific enough for most people that I dare say you will not find any actual example of anyone calling speculation about NSA spying a "conspiracy theory." That would be because, unlike the typical "conspiracy theory," such speculation would not have been preposterously implausible and would have been justified by what was actually known.

Second, since there weren't any "conspiracy theorists" talking about NSA spying, it's actually a good example of how "conspiracy theorists" are too preoccupied with their absurd theories to pick up on anything real. That special intuition that they believe they have about such matters appears to be just another figment of their imaginations.

Third, the existence of any real conspiracies does not provide a rational person a reason to believe totally absurd theories like controlled demolition of the WTC. Contrary to popular opinion among "conspiracy theorists," calling those theories absurd bullshit is not based in any way on denying that conspiracies exist.

> It's hard for me not to believe those who still label some of us conspiracy nuts actually have evil intent. Or a brain eating amoebae.

Having a difference of opinion is one thing, but when you spew abject bullshit like that, it's clear that you simply do not understand how rational people think. If you are going to make extraordinary claims about highly implausible versions of history, then a rational person will expect you to provide sufficiently credible evidence for believing that incredible version. If you can't, then a rational person is likely to call that version a "conspiracy theory," using a colloquial definition that's derived directly from the types of belief systems that "conspiracy theorists" proselytize, not from FBI propaganda.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

And the CIA used its mind control rays to make everyone begin using the term. Bolo Boffin Aug 2013 #1
um . Why Syzygy Sep 2013 #2
"today everyone knows better" - problem is, they don't . . . ConcernedCanuk Sep 2013 #3
Yep... MrMickeysMom Sep 2013 #4
The way I read it .. Why Syzygy Sep 2013 #5
Um... No William Seger Sep 2013 #6
facepalm.... MrMickeysMom Sep 2013 #7
Why, are you going for the record? William Seger Sep 2013 #8
It happened, beefcake Why Syzygy Sep 2013 #9
Bullshit William Seger Sep 2013 #10
Wikipedia regarding the NSA? MrMickeysMom Sep 2013 #11
Ignoring contrary evidence is what "conspiracy theorists" do William Seger Sep 2013 #12
That's a laugh... MrMickeysMom Sep 2013 #13
Wow William Seger Sep 2013 #14
William, you keep amusing yourself... MrMickeysMom Sep 2013 #15
The "majority of Americans" believe in ghosts William Seger Sep 2013 #16
What's that? MrMickeysMom Sep 2013 #17
That article gives a true date for the origin of the term "Conspiracy Theory". greyl Sep 2013 #18
OK, it originated as a neutral term in the 19th Century Ace Acme Nov 2013 #19
Per Ngram, "Conspiracy theorist" is not used until around 1980 KurtNYC Nov 2013 #20
Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Creative Speculation»JFK -- & the origin of t...»Reply #6