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Even If It's 'Bonkers,' Poll Finds Many Believe QAnon, Other Conspiracy Theories

npr.org

21–30 of 94 posts

Re: Even If It's 'Bonkers,' Poll Finds Many Believe QAnon, Other Conspiracy Theories

#21
post #2

Many also believe that NPR reports the news without an agenda or an absurdly selective focus, even unintentionally. The existence of both groups is disappointing.

The idea that those two concepts would be even functionally related is a massive struggle for me. Like what? “Nonsense conspiracy theory makes sense because ‘NPR has an agenda’”. Like genuinely, huh? If you don’t believe NPR, you don’t have to pick the stupidest possible alternative.

[deleted]

Re: Even If It's 'Bonkers,' Poll Finds Many Believe QAnon, Other Conspiracy Theories

#22
post #15

The Russian collusion conspiracy theory lasted for years, was broadcast on all the MSM news channels, and included many sitting congress members, without any evidence that it was true. Millions of wasted dollars later, and Mueller came up with nothing. The Russian collusion conspiracy theory was the most prevalent conspiracy theory of the last 4 years.

The Mueller investigation indicted 34 people. Seven plead guilty and five were sentenced to prison.

Re: Even If It's 'Bonkers,' Poll Finds Many Believe QAnon, Other Conspiracy Theories

#23
post #16

Only 72% of Americans trust that their country landed on the Moon in 1969. The Republican Party ought to take a long, hard look at where their campaign against facts is leading them. It’s not even the party of Nixon anymore.

Was there really any need to single out one party? I could list a bunch of conspiracies that are accepted truths among most proponents of the other party, but I'll be flagged and banned.

Re: Even If It's 'Bonkers,' Poll Finds Many Believe QAnon, Other Conspiracy Theories

#24
post #16

Only 72% of Americans trust that their country landed on the Moon in 1969. The Republican Party ought to take a long, hard look at where their campaign against facts is leading them. It’s not even the party of Nixon anymore.

What do you mean

They know very well where they've wanted it to lead. Do you think otherwise?

Re: Even If It's 'Bonkers,' Poll Finds Many Believe QAnon, Other Conspiracy Theories

#25

Am I the only one who thinks that this is largely the fault of the social media giants?

In the current incarnation, sure. But the real "problem" is the internet where people with niche ideas can find like-minded people and let their ideas and followers grow from there.

Sometimes the results are benign. Sometimes they aren't.

Re: Even If It's 'Bonkers,' Poll Finds Many Believe QAnon, Other Conspiracy Theories

#26

This is a direct result of the degradation of journalism. When you notice that mass media has a political agenda, you stop trusting them. You look for information somewhere else. If you are not very educated and don't have time to do serious research, you fall for conspiracy theories, since they are the complete opposite of mass media.

> This is a direct result of the degradation of journalism.

And, you know, a political ideology that believes the media lies about everything. The current President of the United States himself says it constantly.

Re: Even If It's 'Bonkers,' Poll Finds Many Believe QAnon, Other Conspiracy Theories

#27

Am I the only one who thinks that this is largely the fault of the social media giants?

In the current incarnation, sure. But the real "problem" is the internet where people with niche ideas can find like-minded people and let their ideas and followers grow from there. Sometimes the results are benign. Sometimes they aren't.

It is however exacerbated by algorithms designed to feed you content they know you'll react to. It's no longer that the fringe conspiracies are there for you to go find, they're out there, finding you. This is a novelty in human history. Certainly at this scale.

Unless you count the Missionaries, and I'd say that was altogether pretty successful.

Re: Even If It's 'Bonkers,' Poll Finds Many Believe QAnon, Other Conspiracy Theories

#28

Many people are presented with 2 alternatives: Alternative A) You are an ordinary person with an ordinary job and ordinary pasttimes. You fulfill your role in society like everyone else. Alternative B) You have an important mission that will change the course of history, to spread the influence of . If you are bored, tired of living a repetitive life and have no purpose in life, Alternative B) sounds fantastic. Now y…

I never though about how it can fulfill peoples need to be important, relevant. But yeah I think that is part of the appeal.

Re: Even If It's 'Bonkers,' Poll Finds Many Believe QAnon, Other Conspiracy Theories

#29
post #17
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have never met anyone who considers NPR "the ultimate provider of truth," and neither have you.

In the same sense, you have never met anyone who believes Q is the “ultimate provider of truth” and not just some secret spy cell or whatever. I used hyperbole to illustrate a point.

I'm now thoroughly lost. You've equated NPR, a non-profit news organization that's pretty widely regarded as boring, with a wild conspiracy theory of sex trafficking pizza shops. You're welcome to try again but without the hyperbole this time?
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