Talk:Conspiracy theory

From RationalWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Icon conspiracy.svg

This conspiracy theories related article has been awarded SILVER status for quality. We like it, and you should too! See RationalWiki:Article rating for more information.

Silverbrain.png
Editorial notes
  • Main article on a subject. This should balance thorough explanations of the properties of conspiracy theories while remaining brief enough to count as an overview of all of them.

Archives for this talk page: , (new)

Pareidolia[edit]

How much pareidolia is involved in conspiracy theory development?

There will always be 'conventions, gentleman's agreements (as with the First Lord of the Treasury and the Lord of Man the gender of those involved may be different to the name), agreements to exchange or pass on information etc' and other arrangements, some longstanding (and which may follow conventions which are not generally or are no longer considered acceptable). Investigating these, and challenging or changing them as appropriate, is not necessarily part of the conspiracy theory framework. Anna Livia (talk) 11:28, 1 November 2022 (UTC)

Ideal conspiracies.[edit]

Conspiracy theory: "...since the mid-1960s, it has often been used to denote ridiculous, misconceived, paranoid, unfounded, outlandish, or irrational... theories." I propose that, among others, Roko's Basilisk, Simulated reality and the Technological singularity are precisely the kind of narrative any educated person with a penchant for science fiction fantasy could listen to with interest and eventually become mentally, even emotionally invested in improbable potentialities. They are conspiracies based on an ideal, that is: an unfounded belief in the unlimited potential of science to crate whatever can be imagined. Therefore, some group somewhere is probably committed to its creation, either in a different time or an entirely different universe. Ariel31459 (talk) 21:23, 3 January 2023 (UTC)

Definitions[edit]

Darren Walsh (comedian) quoted in The Daily Telegraph and requoted in The Week:

  • 'How many conspiracy theorists does it take to change a light-bulb?'
  • 'Do your own research.'

Anna Livia (talk) 23:27, 26 August 2023 (UTC)

Mohammed Al Fayed[edit]

Died practically on the anniversary of 'Diana and Dodi's' deaths. How soon before the conspiracy theories get involved? Anna Livia (talk) 23:34, 1 September 2023 (UTC)

He died on August 30th, which isn't the anniversary of their deaths. A somebody. (talk) 23:39, 1 September 2023 (UTC)
Close enough for certain people to make a connection. Anna Livia (talk) 10:00, 2 September 2023 (UTC)

Red Caesar[edit]

My usual source of strange stories came up with this. Suitable topic for RW? Anna Livia (talk) 17:13, 6 October 2023 (UTC)

Page since deleted. Anna Livia (talk) 10:50, 20 February 2024 (UTC)

Judgement and theory[edit]

Where is a better source than [1] Anna Livia (talk) 10:50, 20 February 2024 (UTC)