How to quelch political conspiracy theories

[Anonymous]

Conspiracy theories are eating the Republican party alive. Yes, it does seem to be mostly the Republican party though I know the left is not immune to conspiracies either.

I am a middle of the road person who can see/understand conservative points of view on some political topics. However, I'm so absolutely disgusted with how the Republican party caters to conspiracy theorists, even from their leaders. It's absolutely revolting and repels potential voters from the entire party.

Every time a new one arises, it alienates me, a middle of the road voter who could vote Republican as it terrifies me how GOP leaders will entertain those accusations. I'm not just talking about the latest round of it with what happened to Pelosi's husband, but all of it from the despicable things said about Sandy Hook to what happened on Jan 6.

I have family who actually believe Sandy Hook was staged, they believe pretty much every conspiracy theory out there. I grew up with close family who I knew leaned Republican, but never knew they believed these extreme things till one holiday some years ago when my jaw fell on the floor talking about their beliefs about Sandy Hook. Then they accused me of being the crazy one because I was so disgusted I started shouting "how can you believe that?!" so my reaction ended up just further confirming their view of the left as unhinged. Mind you, we live in CT and one of my family members knew a family member of a child and STILL believe that though kids died, it was staged to promote gun control.

Is there any way that is actually successful to dispute conspiracy theorist's beliefs? Has anyone ever had success with that? If you used to believe conspiracy theories and stopped, what helped?

[Anonymous]

It requires serious people to take the problem seriously.

As long as the GOP nurtures it (because they are benefiting) and journalists laugh at it (because it generates clicks) we are screwed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It requires serious people to take the problem seriously.

As long as the GOP nurtures it (because they are benefiting) and journalists laugh at it (because it generates clicks) we are screwed.

I guess a question is, is there a point at which GOP will start to see diminishing returns from nurturing conspiracy theories because doing so does alienate potential voters?

[Anonymous]

And yes, if you haven't figured it out yet, Nation States (the exact same Nation States that hack U.S. systems or use those nasty computer viruses) are mostly behind it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It requires serious people to take the problem seriously.

As long as the GOP nurtures it (because they are benefiting) and journalists laugh at it (because it generates clicks) we are screwed.

I guess a question is, is there a point at which GOP will start to see diminishing returns from nurturing conspiracy theories because doing so does alienate potential voters?

The conspiracy that Dems are stealing elections will always serve them. Why? Because they are instilling hundreds of election deniers this election cycle. They will continue deny elections and make it harder for Dems to vote. So, there will be no reason for them to curtail this genie because there are fewer GOP voters. They need to cheat to win. It's the only way.

And, OP that your family member knew a family who lost a child in Sandy Hook and perpetrated conspiracy theories is depressing.

[Anonymous]

There’s a MAGA+QAnon supervirus. Those who crave absolute power are happy to feed horse paste to nourish the basest instincts of the infected. They’re coming for the schools and libraries. They’re coming for marginalized populations. They’re coming for birth control and abortion. It’s a mob mentality that has roots dating to the political intimidation and violence of the 1850s. One of the most significant threats are the so-called “constitutional sheriffs”!who believe they are above federal and state law.

[Anonymous]

Reducing the overuse of the term would be a good start.

Responsible and trustworthy media institutions would also help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reducing the overuse of the term would be a good start.

Responsible and trustworthy media institutions would also help.

How is it overused?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reducing the overuse of the term would be a good start.

Responsible and trustworthy media institutions would also help.

so would an ex-potus not spreading these conspiracy theories.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-spreading-conspiracy-theory-lies-160109721.html

[Anonymous]

The conspiracy theories benefit the GOP. Why would they squelch them??

Even the silliest most far-fetched, easily fact checked conspiracies become treated as fact with them. How many of us have heard about “a friend’s uncle who works as a janitor” who said there’s litter boxes in the bathrooms of a local school? It’s easily refutable and totally incredible yet they all believe it. Now take any situation which has a bit more nuance and complexity—like the attack on Paul Pelosi, or drag queen story hour—and it becomes impossible to unpack and deprogram them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The conspiracy theories benefit the GOP. Why would they squelch them??

Even the silliest most far-fetched, easily fact checked conspiracies become treated as fact with them. How many of us have heard about “a friend’s uncle who works as a janitor” who said there’s litter boxes in the bathrooms of a local school? It’s easily refutable and totally incredible yet they all believe it. Now take any situation which has a bit more nuance and complexity—like the attack on Paul Pelosi, or drag queen story hour—and it becomes impossible to unpack and deprogram them.

It gets to a point where it's abhorrent to recruiting middle of the road folks for votes.There had to be diminishing returns on this BS. Thanks to this conspiracy BS, it reminded me why I cannot vote for anyone in the GOP until they renounce their party's conspiracy BS. That includes local leaders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It requires serious people to take the problem seriously.

As long as the GOP nurtures it (because they are benefiting) and journalists laugh at it (because it generates clicks) we are screwed.

I guess a question is, is there a point at which GOP will start to see diminishing returns from nurturing conspiracy theories because doing so does alienate potential voters?

Not until they start losing elections. Which isn’t happening yet.

[Anonymous]

Conspiracy theories are eating the Republican party alive.

Or, the elites in the GOP are using the idlots who vote for them to their advantage. The GOP may control both chambers of Congress come January. They've got SCOTUS. They'll likely get the WH back in two years.

Conspiracy theories are likely not destroying the GOP. They may be helping it.

[Anonymous]

GOP folks, anyone here to comment or you just believe the BS?

[Anonymous]

Paywalls are a major issue. People get free “news” at Fox and InfoWars. High quality news costs money.