Conspiracy Theory Addiction Is Real

[Brass]

PART SIXTEEN (A)

Conspiracy theories are a mental health crisis​

Every day, people who spend time online face a deluge of conspiracy theories, misinformation, and disinformation.

I know, right!

You, for instance, listened to fauci telling you how we can achieve herd immunity by taking an experimental injection that doesn't prevent infection or transmission. He disinformed you. He knew that herd immunity was a lie, but he told the lie anyway. He either lied or he honestly didn't know that the experimental injection does not confer immunity. Presumably you must have mindlessly come to the conclusion that he lied, but that that would be the last time he would lie to you. And it is by virtue of that ridiculous conclusion of yours that you still trust him!!

You're so forgiving.

Did you know that the politicians who want you to wear a face-diaper actually don't do it themselves when they think you're not looking. But you wouldn't know anything about that because you look only for the disinformation that confirms your nonsense. You have an unhealthy fixation on authority figures. You don't know how not believe them once you've turned your heart over to them. They can lie and show themselves to be hypocrites, but that just spurs you on to believe the next thing that comes out of their mouths, huh?.

 

[TwoWhalesInAPool]

PART SEVENTEEN

To combat conspiracy theories teach critical thinking – and community values

People buy into conspiracy theories when times are stressful and uncertain.

This is particularly true in people who lack education, those who left school early without any qualifications or, those who had parent/s that didn't teach them any of life's important community values.

In these situations those people tend to make far less accurate judgements about the validity of the information they are given.

By believing in conspiracy theories it makes them feel part of something bigger than themselves, and provides them with a tribe to belong to.

Followers of conspiracy theories, whether they believe that Covid-19 is fake news, that Q-Anon is a real person or that the world is flat, are often drawn to the community element of conspiracy theories.

They feel like they belong to a select group, which makes them unique and special.

They believe they have access to exclusive and well-guarded knowledge, which makes them feel distinctive.

The reality of conspiracy theory groups is that they represent fragmented parts of our society – their very existence is made possible by social exclusion and lack of life skills.

So we must teach critical thinking alongside ensuring people feel part of a broader community.

Take away their lack of self esteem, their lack of self respect, the loneliness, the fear and their deep daily dread of the unknown.

Let them see the con of 'con'spiracy, allow them to leave the cult of harm and lies, let them live in reality once more.

 

[Brass]

PART SEVENTEEN

To combat conspiracy theories teach critical thinking – and community values

We tried that with you, but you still insist on foolishly believing that an experimental injection that doesn't prevent infection or transmission will confer immunity. You don't know how to put two and two together yet, do you?

You need to acquire some critical thinking skills. You might want to start by admitting to yourself that fauci lied when he said that we need to take an experimental injection that doesn't prevent infection or transmission to achieve herd immunity. Contradictory statements should send up a red flag, but not for you. You don't hear anything outside of your authority worship.

 

[TwoWhalesInAPool]

PART EIGHTEEN

WHO IS AT RISK OF CONSPIRACY THEORY ADDICTION?

Coronavirus, a death in the family, unemployment, insecurity, health concerns, loss of income, loss of savings, working from home, wearing masks, social distancing, – it can all be too much for those unable to cope.

The tendency for involvement in conspiracy theories is also associated with neglect, poverty, the lack of socialisation, pre-existing beliefs, lower levels of education, disenfranchisement, and/or mental illness.

Conspiracy Theory Addiction is a non-substance behavioral addiction. Behavioral addictions are defined as behaviors a patient craves or becomes dependent on.

Conspiracy theorists find propagating misinformation and belonging to groups who spread conspiracies calming and often euphoric.

Most conspiracy theory beliefs become so consuming that they can be “crazy making,” resulting in psychological distress, including paranoia and schizoid feelings, with believers pulling farther and farther away from their jobs, recreational activities, and relationships.

When that happens, family members, other loved ones and friends are likely to beg conspiracy theory believers to seek help and occasionally they do so on their own.

People with certain personality traits are more likely to suffer a reduction in one’s capacity to think rationally and analytically.

Seeking safety and longing for control, this deviation from rational thinking, motivates a theorist to spread the word, seek like-minded people, and assist others in finding meaning.

It helps conspiracy theorists to feel good about themselves, their non-substance addictive behavior, the people they reach, and the groups they belong to.

Feeling anxious, fearful, an inability to exert control, low self-esteem, a sense of not belonging, alienation, and the need to make sense of life events, can be signs of trauma, stress, or a mental illness, these symptoms have been identified in patients addicted to conspiracy theories.

Non-substance addictive behavior such as getting caught up in conspiracy theories can cause chronic stress, volatile emotions, anxiety, trauma, suicidal thoughts, alcoholism, promiscuity, substance abuse, criminal activities, behavioral addictions, behavior disorders, and mental illnesses.

 

[Brass]

PART EIGHTEEN

Conspiracy theorists find propagating misinformation and belonging to groups who spread conspiracies calming and often euphoric.

You, for example, feel such a need to belong to a group that you're willing to overlook the fact that you were lied to about the experimental injection conferring immunity. Consider for a moment whether or not you would take something that you know doesn't do what you were told it would do if it weren't for your emotional need to belong to a group. Why else would you so willingly compromise the integrity of your brain in public by thinking that herd immunity can be achieved using an experimental injection that doesn't prevent infection or transmission?

And the only thing left to you is posting stuff that just happens to nail you to the cross you intended for others.

 

[Brass]

Tiddles will eventually do what he did previously, he will run away and hide for a few months. He does that when faced with the truth.

Damn it! I didn't want to scare him into a truth-lockdown. Things can only get worse for him there.

 

[TwoWhalesInAPool]

PART NINETEEN

Disagreeable people more prone to conspiracy theories

People who are antagonistic, exploitative and generally disagreeable are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories.

It has been found that people who possess personality traits such as Machiavellianism (manipulativeness and cynicism); narcissism (vanity and self-obsession); impulsivity and callousness; and cruelty and abusiveness are more likely to fall for lies, fake news and get scammed into believing conspiracies.

Disagreeable people, who score high in these traits, are prone to conspiracy beliefs.

They don’t feel like they are in control of their lives. They have an distrust of other people and organisations like the government, police, scientists and doctors.

They also have a deep desire to control others and a need to be unique.

Some have crippling loneliness and desperately want to socially connect with other people.

Unfortunately most people think conspiracy theorists are crackpots.

The conspiracy theory scammers and con-artists just want to take advantage of these people. And these victims fall for the scam over and over again while going deeper into the rabbit hole of exploited madness.

 

[TwoWhalesInAPool]

 

[Brass]

PART NINETEEN

They also have a deep desire to control others and a need to be unique.

That is so true. And once again you offer yourself to serve as a prime example of this desparate need to be unique no matter what. Believing that you can achieve immunity and thereby protect those around you is quite a unique belief in light of the fact that it doesn't prevent infection or transmission. Sure that makes you unique, but at what cost, man? You're unique for all the wrong reasons.

Now let's sum up your position. You believe that an experimental injection that does not prevent infection or transmission can nevertheless protect those around you by stopping you from transmitting covid. You know that's not sane thinking. And then you outdo yourself by also thinking that I need to take what didn't work for you because--now get this--you won't be protected otherwise.

You are a good case study . . .

 

[Kev45]

More word salad from Barry. Riddles again. Types an essay to say nothing at all except express HIS opinion and only HIS opinion.

 

[Kev45]

This is a good example of what happens when an individual drinks excessively over a long time period.


Every single one of these regurgitated topics have been discussed in length and in-depth previously. Every solitary, single one. Pandemicoffear had his arse handed to him on a plate repeatedly and with no mercy shown towards him at all.

 

[Brass]

More word salad from Barry. Riddles again. Types an essay to say nothing at all except express HIS opinion and only HIS opinion.

I'll dumb it down for you by going real slow.

Do you understand that the experimental injection does not keep you from transmitting the virus?

Let's see how difficult you find it to give a simple, straightforward answer to a straightforward question. I'm guessing you're going to pretend you didn't hear the question, or that you don't understand what you're being asked. But if you do that, no one is going to believe anything you say.

Why don't you surprise everyone and answer a question? Do you really think you're going to protect anyone by taking and experimental injection that doesn't prevent transmission?

 

[Kev45]

I'll dumb it down for you by going real slow.

Why don't you dumb it down further so that you finally grasp, Barry, that it has already been repeatedly discussed on this forum. So I suggest Barry that you stick to typing in riddles and repeating the same question over and over again. It has already been covered, multiple times on this forum and far more in depth than your witless repetitive word salad.


Is that dumb enough for you, kid?