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A Low Tolerance of Ambiguity
A study has determined that what leads to people to be conspiracy theorists, or “beliefs about cover-ups.”
They rated people’s responses to some common conspiracies, and then gave them a general personality test. These stood out:
a low tolerance of ambiguity
In other words, people who feel insecure or uncomfortable when they don’t know all the answers, or who can’t grasp that some situations are complex, multidimensional, and puzzling even to experts. Presented with a complicated set of issues or events, these folks were more likely to sign on to a hare-brained conspiracy theory that offered an easy answer, even if it was wrong, or an oversimplification.
the world is unfair
There was also a significant correlation between those who believe that the world is fundamentally unfair — from a “human nature” point of view — and those who subscribe to far-fetched theories. Those who believe in an “unjust world,” the researchers found, were also more inclined to believe in shadowy groups pulling the strings.
Source: Yahoo
Other studies have highlighted other traits:
- lack of critical thinking
- (similar) lack of higher education
- low self-esteem / need to feel special
- finding “your tribe”
- narcissism – to stand out among peers and feel superior to the “uninformed” masses
- being part of a select few
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The Length of Time Factor
An easy question to ask conspiracy theorists, those who say a New World Order is coming, is when?
They are essentially like a doomsday cult that keeps shifting the dates – so certain it is going to happen, and yet it never does.
I am reading, for the first time, a Jon Ronson book from 2001 titled Them – Adventures With Extremists. It looks at people who are a bit mad, and popular, who think the NWO is trying to destroy everything so it can control the mop up.
And the preface sounds eerily like what people are saying 24 long years later…
They create chaos, and from the ashes of this chaos will rise their terrible World Government.
…the New World Order, an internationalist Western conspiracy conducted by a tiny, secretive elite, whose ultimate aim is to destroy all opposition, implement a planetary takeover, and establish themselves as a World Government.
…a tiny elite rules the world from inside a secret room. It is they who start wars… elect and cast out the heads of state, control Hollywood and the markets and flow of capital, operate a harem of under-age kidnapped sex slaves, transform themselves into twelve-foot lizards when nobody is looking…
How much have they progressed in 24 years (I could find similar from earlier, as far back as the 1970s…)?
I would suggest they have progressed zero percent, and not because they are incompetent, or they have let us find out, but because it isn’t real.
Such selfish, horrible, powerful people would certainly want to see the results while they still live, and yet a generation have left us without such an achievement.
Rupert Murdoch – presumably one of them – won’t last. Why doesn’t he ramp things up? Because it not real.
Yes, there are bad, hungry, powerful people in the world, with their own circles of evil and corruption.
Yes, similar people like to hang out together, to be with their peers, and gloat and compare.
Yes, they give favours to each other.
But that is the extent of it. There is no coordinated evil plot. Because with all that wealth and power they would have achieved it by now.
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Saudi Arabia’s Religious End Game
Saudi Arabia and Israel have become friendly in recent times, and in 2023 they announced an intended rail link, which would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. Why are the Saudi’s being so friendly? Desire for peace? Pressure from America? Or something more nefarious?
There are discussions regarding Saudi Arabia replacing Jordan as the custodian of the Temple Mount. That being the place that famously will herald the end times if a 3rd temple is built there. Seemingly the Saudi’s don’t want a Jewish end of times, but their own instead.
The Saudis are planning a bizarre cubic building, 400 metres on every side, to be built. Some see it as a mega-version of the Kaaba. It’s name is Mukaab.
These all feels like a devious plan… Stopping Israelis from building a prophetic temple, and building what seems to be their own gigantic temple.
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I Don’t Like Being Told What To Do!
In psychology, and being an account manager or salesperson, there is a technique called 5 questions.You ask what someone wants, and basically each time they respond, you respond with, yes, but why do you want that?
Client: I want more sales
Account Manager: What will that mean for you?
Client: I get more money
Account Manager: What will you use the money for?
Client: Pay off debts
Account Manager: And when the debts are paid off?
Client: I’ want more sales’d like a new car
Account Manager: And after that?
Client: I have always dreamed of going on the Trans Siberian RailwayIn subsequent conversations, they smart account manager keeps mentioning the ultimate goal and how they are getting closer.
Likewise when someone says they don’t believe in climate change (many conspiracy theories also fit, like depopulation, like 15 minute cities):
Climate change is a hoax!
Why do you think that?
They have an agenda so they can get rich!
How does that agenda affect you?
They are taking away my right to have a petrol-fuelled car!
But electric will be cheaper, less maintenance, cleaner and faster… why complain?
Because I don’t want anyone telling me what car to drive!I reckon that is a key reason for why people attach themselves to conspiracy theory. They are feeling disenfranchised and no longer have control of their destiny – especially many middle-aged white men. Anything like being told what to do can get them angry, because they already barely have any control left (they think).
Which might explain Trump. He rambles on for hours and basically never says anything that triggers the feeling of being told what to do. It helps that he uses basic language.
Other politicians talk like politicians (hard for some to understand, makes them suspicious) and they often actually talk about realities, which involve being told what to do, like environmental regulations.
So keep this underlying fear in mind when talking to your MAGA friend. Deep-down they don’t like being told what to do, and reassurances might help.
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Random Reality Groups
Of course this would need to be something people opt into, and presumably right-wing nutjobs wouldn’t trust it (or anything that threatens their narrative).
However, the concept is sound.
Individual people in large cities are randomly organised into groups of say 100 people. The ideal size could be determined via doing, and it is quite likely a lot smaller. Ideally you get a feel for the other participants, and getting to know them a little makes them more real, their opinions more tangible.
One purpose of the group is to chat about everyday things. Does anyone know where to buy X? The sort of questions that pop-up on community groups in Facebook.
But the other purpose is to help dispel rumors and lies. For example, a recent poll in the US had 50% of respondents saying they personally knew someone who died of COVID, and 25% knew someone who died from the vaccine.
A small random group discussion could soon confirm or deny such info. People saying such things are true could be politely grilled to see if they actually knew someone, or had just heard something.
In a way it replicates one of the good things about small town living, but in a big city.