My favorite conspiracy theory dates from the Apollo era, and it's my favorite because it's simple enough to be plausible. It goes like this: the Apollo 12 landing was intended as a further demonstration of US missile targeting mastery by landing the LEM within walking distance of an earlier probe, Surveyor 3. However, before making this announcement they had to figure out if they had been successful, so the LEM crew popped the top hatch and visually located the probe upon landing from the higher vantage point. None of these activities are on-record, though there is a communications gap on the open signal normally used for lunar operations during the time when this would have taken place. The whole thing is exceptionally simple and explainable, with no grand forces behind it other than the well established dick-waving contest between the US & USSR in developing ever more accurate and powerful missile technologies.
This raises the question where the line is between a "normal" off-books/classified operation and a full-blown conspiracy is. I recognize that by definition a conspiracy doesn't have to involve many people or be very wide-reaching in scope/goal but our perception of what qualifies as a conspiracy has become a bit warped thanks to media.
That's not even a conspiracy really. That's sound PR management.
There is a continuum of time from before launch to after landing when they could have announced their intentions. Did the announcement come after they landed? Then this is the plausible explanation; they were waiting for confirmation.
Based on current dictionary definitions, "conspiracy" generally implies ill intent. Verifying you're right before opening your mouth doesn't really count.
Can someone explain numerology? I went down that rabbit hole the other day. Saw many videos showing how names/events/dates add up (or using magic math) to equal a number. But no video or comment ever mentioned what does it mean, or why it matters. So Obamas birthday adds up to 33, why does that matter? Also it seems every number is evil.
Flat Earth, fake Moon landing, reptile people I can at least see the reasoning behind the insanity. But I'm really struggling to understand the motive or reason for numerology.
Here's how it works:
You go to Google and assemble a list of symbolically or ritualistically significant numbers either in your religion or in another (if you're dealing with Obama, it's always good to have a list for Islam handy as well).
Then you go to the subject you're "researching" and you make a list of any kind of number associated with them - birth dates, number of people in a group, ages, names converted into integer strings. Translate shit into other langauges and then convert it into integer strings. Spell shit backwards and convert it to integer strings.
Then you do stuff with those numbers. Any kind of stuff is ok, math or otherwise - add them subtract them concatenate them into longer numbers then pull out digits to make shorter ones throw in significant numbers if you're not getting anywhere to stir the pot - anything is kosher! Just keep doing stuff to the numbers until you have the significant numbers you want, in any configuration possible - even if the digits aren't together, as long as you have them. If they're not even in the same number remember you can concatenate, rearrange, and crop, just do stuff to the numbers. If you're not getting the right numbers, just go to a different religion, if you keep getting 9's you can do some Norse shit to that. If you're still not getting anything useful, just call it Native American or Sub-Saharan African and ascribe whatever the fuck meaning you want to any numbers you want and have done with it.
TL;DR: It's not just bullshit, but it's bullshit you have to do consciously and intentionally to reach a desired outcome, otherwise you will reach no outcome.
You shouldn't have to do anything too outrageous, and if you get far enough down the instructions that you're just making up meanings, you didn't try very hard. Because once you get a good crop of integers to play with you can eventually get any number you want by playing with them long enough.
But what happens then! It just feels like a very long joke without a punch line. Yes Obama mean 666 and 33 and 123, but what does that mean? It was incredibly unsatisfying watching this videos where they spend half an hour or more telling you the numbers and then it just ends. At least with flat earth after the half hour it ends with "and that's why there's no such thing as gravity". Numerology feels like a huge tease.
Numerology is a means to draw connections between things that you failed to connect by any other tangible means.
It is more a method than a conspiracy. The assertion that a numerological link has any meaning at all is premised either as secret messages from god, or things being intentionally named in a numerologically related manner so They can readily identify Themselves or Their works from us/ours.
I give earnest numerologists credit, because, in their mind, they are taking an evidence-based approach to convincing others of their delusions. They are, unfortunately, quite mad.
Can someone explain numerology? I went down that rabbit hole the other day. Saw many videos showing how names/events/dates add up (or using magic math) to equal a number. But no video or comment ever mentioned what does it mean, or why it matters. So Obamas birthday adds up to 33, why does that matter? Also it seems every number is evil.
Flat Earth, fake Moon landing, reptile people I can at least see the reasoning behind the insanity. But I'm really struggling to understand the motive or reason for numerology.
Here's how it works:
You go to Google and assemble a list of symbolically or ritualistically significant numbers either in your religion or in another (if you're dealing with Obama, it's always good to have a list for Islam handy as well).
Then you go to the subject you're "researching" and you make a list of any kind of number associated with them - birth dates, number of people in a group, ages, names converted into integer strings. Translate shit into other langauges and then convert it into integer strings. Spell shit backwards and convert it to integer strings.
Then you do stuff with those numbers. Any kind of stuff is ok, math or otherwise - add them subtract them concatenate them into longer numbers then pull out digits to make shorter ones throw in significant numbers if you're not getting anywhere to stir the pot - anything is kosher! Just keep doing stuff to the numbers until you have the significant numbers you want, in any configuration possible - even if the digits aren't together, as long as you have them. If they're not even in the same number remember you can concatenate, rearrange, and crop, just do stuff to the numbers. If you're not getting the right numbers, just go to a different religion, if you keep getting 9's you can do some Norse shit to that. If you're still not getting anything useful, just call it Native American or Sub-Saharan African and ascribe whatever the fuck meaning you want to any numbers you want and have done with it.
TL;DR: It's not just bullshit, but it's bullshit you have to do consciously and intentionally to reach a desired outcome, otherwise you will reach no outcome.
You shouldn't have to do anything too outrageous, and if you get far enough down the instructions that you're just making up meanings, you didn't try very hard. Because once you get a good crop of integers to play with you can eventually get any number you want by playing with them long enough.
But what happens then! It just feels like a very long joke without a punch line. Yes Obama mean 666 and 33 and 123, but what does that mean? It was incredibly unsatisfying watching this videos where they spend half an hour or more telling you the numbers and then it just ends. At least with flat earth after the half hour it ends with "and that's why there's no such thing as gravity". Numerology feels like a huge tease.
Numerology is a means to draw connections between things that you failed to connect by any other tangible means.
It is more a method than a conspiracy. The assertion that a numerological link has any meaning at all is premised either as secret messages from god, or things being intentionally named in a numerologically related manner so They can readily identify Themselves or Their works from us/ours.
I give earnest numerologists credit, because, in their mind, they are taking an evidence-based approach to convincing others of their delusions. They are, unfortunately, quite mad.
Yep, it's not an unreasonable conclusion if you think the universe was carefully designed. There's even a few cases where they're right and the numbers were picked intentionally! The Book of Matthew appears to fudge some genealogy so that Jesus can be the 3x10 descendant of Abraham.
But what's interesting is that the two most common "divine" numbers in the Bible are 3 and 7. The two single-digit numbers people are most likely to pick randomly.
A difference of opinion exists regarding the selection of the number 616. In 2005, Moore's son-in-law John Reppion (married to Moore's daughter Leah Moore) stated on an Internet message board that the number 616 was arbitrarily chosen by Moore, saying it "was just a random number of no significance chosen because people always seemed to be talking about 'earth 2' or 'earth 4' but never any higher numbers." However, Davis has said that it comes from 616, a variation on the Number of the Beast, picked because Thorpe "wasn't a fan of the modern superhero genre" and expressed this in his stories, "such as recording his opinion of the Marvel Universe with the designation 616."
Jimmy got called out for his pathetic stunt to cover-up Hillary Clinton's failing health and is now trying to laugh off his fraud.
OK - it was funny. But I repeat my "Double Dare" - lets apply the scientific method - REPRODUCIBILITY..... Have her repeat the jar opening on live TV. Let her open a JAR of pickles from a randomly selected jar out of a brand new case of her own choosing. - OK Jimmy K - may be right, a President will never have to open their own pickle jar. God knows Hillary should never eat pickles anyway. ( too high in sodium ) Ms. Clinton - will be the worst thing to ever happen to America. Alex Jones - is funny in small doses. Jimmy K - is being USED to prop up a very weak, ill and flawed candidate. Hillary is the most Corrupt, and fraudulent candidate to ever get this close to election.
He's a genius - riding the new "alt right" media enlightenment. There is a paradigm shift. It literally happened yesterday with the Establishment's speech in reno. Cheers everyone. The truth is going mainstream.
I tried to watch that video but about 30 seconds in I think I began to scroll to the comments, now everything in going black, and all I can hear is a high pitched noise and I think every hole in my face is now bleeding.
My favorite thing about Pickleghazi is that the only reason it exists is because what was obviously a joke so deeply cut into the conspiratorial talking points that it needed answered directly by those who are pushing the conspiracy.
If ridicule can destroy your operating assumptions with that kind of efficiency, basic sanity dictates that those assumptions need reexamined.
There is a right-wing conspiracy theory that Hillary Clinton's health is failing
She went on Jimmy Kimmel's show and he challenged her to open a jar of pickles live on television, which she did
Naturally this was immediately and forcefully claimed to have been rigged with all the thoughtfulness you'd expect of people who believe 9/11 was an inside job and no one was killed at Sandy Hook
Jet fuel can't open a jar of pickles, etc
First they came for the Muslims, and we said NOT TODAY, MOTHERFUCKERS
To these people there are certain TRUTHS that THEY are trying to CONCEAL from the public
Any evidence offered that they are incorrect, their TRUTHS are actually false or misguided, is immediately discredited as part of the cover-up
Whoever presented that evidence is also instantly written off as ONE OF THEM, a conspirator, or an ignorant pawn
You can't reason with them because anything that backs their theory is regarded as irrefutable proof and anything that doesn't is manufactured and thus, more proof that the conspiracy exists
First they came for the Muslims, and we said NOT TODAY, MOTHERFUCKERS
+4
Options
GatorAn alligator in ScotlandRegistered Userregular
My favorite thing about Pickleghazi is that the only reason it exists is because what was obviously a joke so deeply cut into the conspiratorial talking points that it needed answered directly by those who are pushing the conspiracy.
If ridicule can destroy your operating assumptions with that kind of efficiency, basic sanity dictates that those assumptions need reexamined.
If you're watching Alex jones in earnest basic sanity left the building a long long time ago
To these people there are certain TRUTHS that THEY are trying to CONCEAL from the public
Any evidence offered that they are incorrect, their TRUTHS are actually false or misguided, is immediately discredited as part of the cover-up
Whoever presented that evidence is also instantly written off as ONE OF THEM, a conspirator, or an ignorant pawn
You can't reason with them because anything that backs their theory is regarded as irrefutable proof and anything that doesn't is manufactured and thus, more proof that the conspiracy exists
To these people there are certain TRUTHS that THEY are trying to CONCEAL from the public
Any evidence offered that they are incorrect, their TRUTHS are actually false or misguided, is immediately discredited as part of the cover-up
Whoever presented that evidence is also instantly written off as ONE OF THEM, a conspirator, or an ignorant pawn
You can't reason with them because anything that backs their theory is regarded as irrefutable proof and anything that doesn't is manufactured and thus, more proof that the conspiracy exists
There's a famous old post from Reddit's conspiracy board:
Ah the "E" word, the last refuge of a shill scoundrel. "Evidence." How can we have evidence when the most powerful organizations on earth are destroying and obfuscating evidence, and turning attack dogs against us? We have something better and clearer than evidence, the "known truth." Known truth is a powerful tool in the war on disinformation. It's a fact that is self-evidently true, but cannot be confirmed using the tools of the truth suppressor.
When the reality you believe in is literally indistinguishable from made-up bullshit, you should probably consider mental health treatment. For your own good as well as ours.
First they came for the Muslims, and we said NOT TODAY, MOTHERFUCKERS
When the reality you believe in is literally indistinguishable from made-up bullshit, you should probably consider mental health treatment. For your own good as well as ours.
Of course, it's an all-too popular belief that mental health problems are manufactured/controlled by whatever shadowy organization you think is pulling the strings.
Pretty much all the conspiracy theory communities will promptly disown even a figurehead if they undergo any kind of mental treatment.
For example, there's a big name chemtrailer right now who's really fell off the deep end. Most of the money raised for a chemtrail movie went up his nose, and the last time I saw anyone copy a post from him it was about Obama and Bill Clinton coming to his house in a black semi and teabagging him in his bathtub while showing him documents about the oil fortune they stole from his family.
It's been decided that he's just always been an undercover psyop disinfo shill, except they broke his brain with the last round of brainwashing but let him back out of the box anyway because his antics will discredit the entire movement.
See, not only will the one group that hasn't alienated you for being crazy alienate you, they will reach back in time and erase you from their own history if you ever actually admit you might maybe be a bit unhinged.
When the reality you believe in is literally indistinguishable from made-up bullshit, you should probably consider mental health treatment. For your own good as well as ours.
The problem with this is that there's no objective way, in practice, to distinguish between delusions and, say, religious beliefs (I say this as a Christian). Usually we rely on tradition and number of adherents, but conspiracy theories have both in spades. For that matter, fundamentalist Christians use a lot of the same arguments to defend their beliefs (scientists/the government are suppressing evidence, because they don't want people to know the Truth!). The difference is that it's more culturally acceptable to believe in young earth creationism than it is to believe that the moon landing was faked or that the government is putting mind-control drugs in your drinking water.
So the latest one I'm seeing a bit is that we've all been brainwashed by the meat and dairy industry since birth into believing we need to eat meat so as to inflate their profits. There's no evidence that humans were meant to eat meat and only rich people used to eat meat regularly. If we all adopt a plant based diet we'll all live much healthier lives plus it'll end the unnecessary slaughter of cows, sheep, pigs, etc and they'll be able to live fulfilling lives instead, I guess? Even Arnie has turned vegan so obviously that's reason enough for the rest of us to follow suit. There's even a youtube video apparently or something, 'Cowspiracy". I suspect it's similar to those other hard hitting documentaries like 'Loose Change', 'Zeitgeist', etc?
0
Options
ShadowfireVermont, in the middle of nowhereRegistered Userregular
I mean, as long as you have sources of protein in your diet, you don't need to eat meat. And dairy is not great for a large portion of the population.
Posts
A different politician for a mainstream party espoused flat earth views and gained in the polls?
Based on current dictionary definitions, "conspiracy" generally implies ill intent. Verifying you're right before opening your mouth doesn't really count.
Numerology is a means to draw connections between things that you failed to connect by any other tangible means.
It is more a method than a conspiracy. The assertion that a numerological link has any meaning at all is premised either as secret messages from god, or things being intentionally named in a numerologically related manner so They can readily identify Themselves or Their works from us/ours.
I give earnest numerologists credit, because, in their mind, they are taking an evidence-based approach to convincing others of their delusions. They are, unfortunately, quite mad.
But what's interesting is that the two most common "divine" numbers in the Bible are 3 and 7. The two single-digit numbers people are most likely to pick randomly.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Depends on which way you assign the causality
Depending on who you talk to, that's intentional.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth-616
Dear god the comments, you would have thought they were released from the jar she opened they are so salty.
If ridicule can destroy your operating assumptions with that kind of efficiency, basic sanity dictates that those assumptions need reexamined.
They tried to bury us. They didn't know that we were seeds. 2018 Midterms. Get your shit together.
PSN:Furlion
There is a right-wing conspiracy theory that Hillary Clinton's health is failing
She went on Jimmy Kimmel's show and he challenged her to open a jar of pickles live on television, which she did
Naturally this was immediately and forcefully claimed to have been rigged with all the thoughtfulness you'd expect of people who believe 9/11 was an inside job and no one was killed at Sandy Hook
Jet fuel can't open a jar of pickles, etc
To these people there are certain TRUTHS that THEY are trying to CONCEAL from the public
Any evidence offered that they are incorrect, their TRUTHS are actually false or misguided, is immediately discredited as part of the cover-up
Whoever presented that evidence is also instantly written off as ONE OF THEM, a conspirator, or an ignorant pawn
You can't reason with them because anything that backs their theory is regarded as irrefutable proof and anything that doesn't is manufactured and thus, more proof that the conspiracy exists
If you're watching Alex jones in earnest basic sanity left the building a long long time ago
this is clearly part of the cover up
Of course Ill take the tour and walk away thinking that it's not capable of mind control, it's a test! Wake up sheeple!
The academic liberal elite want to take us over with their book lernin'!
XBL:Phenyhelm - 3DS:Phenyhelm
I'm not a conspiracy nut, but that is clearly a trap to lure in people for mind control experiments. :rotate:
HAARP was never able to control anyone's mind anyway, that was MKUltra. HAARPs function is to create funny designs in the clouds.
I'm watching you, Disinfo Agent.
XBL:Phenyhelm - 3DS:Phenyhelm
There's a famous old post from Reddit's conspiracy board:
Rock Band DLC | GW:OttW - arrcd | WLD - Thortar
Of course, it's an all-too popular belief that mental health problems are manufactured/controlled by whatever shadowy organization you think is pulling the strings.
Scientology famously espouses this, for example.
Rock Band DLC | GW:OttW - arrcd | WLD - Thortar
For example, there's a big name chemtrailer right now who's really fell off the deep end. Most of the money raised for a chemtrail movie went up his nose, and the last time I saw anyone copy a post from him it was about Obama and Bill Clinton coming to his house in a black semi and teabagging him in his bathtub while showing him documents about the oil fortune they stole from his family.
It's been decided that he's just always been an undercover psyop disinfo shill, except they broke his brain with the last round of brainwashing but let him back out of the box anyway because his antics will discredit the entire movement.
See, not only will the one group that hasn't alienated you for being crazy alienate you, they will reach back in time and erase you from their own history if you ever actually admit you might maybe be a bit unhinged.
XBL:Phenyhelm - 3DS:Phenyhelm
The problem with this is that there's no objective way, in practice, to distinguish between delusions and, say, religious beliefs (I say this as a Christian). Usually we rely on tradition and number of adherents, but conspiracy theories have both in spades. For that matter, fundamentalist Christians use a lot of the same arguments to defend their beliefs (scientists/the government are suppressing evidence, because they don't want people to know the Truth!). The difference is that it's more culturally acceptable to believe in young earth creationism than it is to believe that the moon landing was faked or that the government is putting mind-control drugs in your drinking water.
So it's not wrong on the surface.
If we pack in this whole civilization thing we can stop flossing.
I mean, the whole "people's only eat bread because of a conspiracy from the banking industry" meme went around a little while ago.
That conspiracy would need to be like ten thousand years running, but hey all the best conspiracies are, right?
We really only have to worry about tooth decay if we plan on living past 40.
Logan's Run was right all along!
Rock Band DLC | GW:OttW - arrcd | WLD - Thortar
Actually, flossing doesn't actually help with tooth care.
Maybe so, but it helps get the little annoying bits of chicken, beef, pork, fish, and other various meats from between my teeth.