Conspiracy Theories for Cynics

[alock]

Shuvi McTupya said:

What is so hard to grasp about the word THEORY? There is no proof or it wouldnt be a fking THEORY.

The word theory means different things to different people. That you haven't even done this tiny bit of research before posting the above rant massively devalues any other part of your argument.

[Shuvi McTupya]

alock said:

The word theory means different things to different people. That you haven't even done this tiny bit of research before posting the above rant massively devalues any other part of your argument.

Eh?

What a strange comment. Am i expected to make allowances for people that think that tye word theory might mean something else!

Do i need to also factor in that a tower could be someone that is towing somebody and a plane could be a woodworking tool?

[uncinqsix]

Shuvi McTupya said:

Its a hell of a lot easier to just say "two jets crashed into two towers and they collapsed and so did some other buildings, and anyone who questions how or why a guy in a cave on the other side of the world achieved it all must be a moron.

You've touched on one of the reasons conspiracy theories like these take hold. The thought that a bunch of religious nutters led by a bloke in a cave is capable of carrying out 9/11, under the nose of the might of the US government, is extremely scary. It means the the average man in the street is utterly powerless and the world really is a chaotic mess. It's much more comforting to believe that it was the actions of a organised and competent government force, regardless of the supposed motives, as that would mean the world has order.

[Shuvi McTupya]

I Cant argue with that

He could have just got very lucky that everyone was asleep at their radar screens that day, or they may as well have been.

[AstonZagato]

I tend to think about these things in terms of Hanlon's Razor "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity". Or a version of it: "Never attribute to conspiracy that which is adequately explained by incompetence."

[uncinqsix]

AstonZagato said:

I tend to think about these things in terms of Hanlon's Razor "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity". Or a version of it: "Never attribute to conspiracy that which is adequately explained by incompetence."

Anyone who has ever worked in government will know the immutable truth of this.

[Shuvi McTupya]

AstonZagato said:

I tend to think about these things in terms of Hanlon's Razor "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity". Or a version of it: "Never attribute to conspiracy that which is adequately explained by incompetence."

I would agree completely with that, but nobody was proved to be incompetent, in fact most of the people in charge of the departments that must have dropped the ball subsequently got promoted.

[uncinqsix]

Shuvi McTupya said:

in fact most of the people in charge of the departments that must have dropped the ball subsequently got promoted.

Again, this will come as no surprise to anyone who has ever worked in government.

[4x4Tyke]

uncinqsix said:

Shuvi McTupya said:

in fact most of the people in charge of the departments that must have dropped the ball subsequently got promoted.

Again, this will come as no surprise to anyone who has ever worked in government.

It is just as prevalent in the private sector, it usually boils down to some form of cost cutting against expert advice. British Airways' recent IT fkup is a example of exactly the same sort of failure of IT Governance we saw with the NHS attack.

Does this make it a conspiracy? Strictly speaking yes, but it doesn't carry malevolent intent the majority of internet 'Conspiracy Theories' require. It is the incompetence over malice corollary mentioned elsewhere.

Edited by 4x4Tyke on Sunday 25th June 11:53

[limpsfield]

Why are conspiracy theorists normally fruit loops? I know the answer is in the question, but they don't tend to be the more balanced members of society in the first place - either in the real world or on here.

I realise that the paragraph above is the misinformed rambling of one of the sheeple.

[Colonial]

A Florida woman has recently bern charged with sending death threats to one of the parents of a Sandy Hook shooting victim.

All ok because apparently they were all actors and it never happened.

That is where unquestioning belief in nutcase conspiracy theories ends up.

[alock]

Shuvi McTupya said:

alock said:

The word theory means different things to different people. That you haven't even done this tiny bit of research before posting the above rant massively devalues any other part of your argument.

Eh?

What a strange comment. Am i expected to make allowances for people that think that tye word theory might mean something else!

Do i need to also factor in that a tower could be someone that is towing somebody and a plane could be a woodworking tool?

For someone with a scientific background, an idea with no (or little) evidence is a hypothesis. A theory is our best understanding based on the current evidence.

[AstonZagato]

uncinqsix said:

Shuvi McTupya said:

in fact most of the people in charge of the departments that must have dropped the ball subsequently got promoted.

Again, this will come as no surprise to anyone who has ever worked in government.

I seem to remember that the military have a saying something along the lines of "a cock up so huge that you either have demote those responsible or give them a medal". Examples include Charge of the Light Brigade and Bravo Two Zero.

[jmorgan]

AstonZagato said:

uncinqsix said:

Shuvi McTupya said:

in fact most of the people in charge of the departments that must have dropped the ball subsequently got promoted.

Again, this will come as no surprise to anyone who has ever worked in government.

I seem to remember that the military have a saying something along the lines of "a cock up so huge that you either have demote those responsible or give them a medal". Examples include Charge of the Light Brigade and Bravo Two Zero.

The other one is the feckless get promoted. Easier for a department to get rid of them.

[Shuvi McTupya]

alock said:

For someone with a scientific background, an idea with no (or little) evidence is a hypothesis. A theory is our best understanding based on the current evidence.

Yup, and mathematicians have a sort of similar meaning i think.

For the rest of us though, it just means a possible alternative to the generally accepted knowledge.

Unless it comes after the word conspiracy in which case to most people it just means crazy talk

Edited by Shuvi McTupya on Sunday 25th June 14:29

[jshell]

limpsfield said:

Why are conspiracy theorists normally fruit loops? I know the answer is in the question, but they don't tend to be the more balanced members of society in the first place - either in the real world or on here.

I realise that the paragraph above is the misinformed rambling of one of the sheeple.

See my post above on the type of people who need 'religion', any religion.

[m3jappa]

Colonial said:

A Florida woman has recently bern charged with sending death threats to one of the parents of a Sandy Hook shooting victim.

All ok because apparently they were all actors and it never happened.

That is where unquestioning belief in nutcase conspiracy theories ends up.

Thing is, things like this don't help to make it look real.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEfn065PkCQ

[bingybongy]

Anything taken out of context can be misconstrued.

[anonymous-user]

I forgot how utterly barking mad this thread was.

It's a good read.

[4x4Tyke]

jshell said:

See my post above on the type of people who need 'religion', any religion.

People use psychological projection of their own intent onto others, whatever the other persons real motivation. If a person is motivated to do something out of goodness, they will see goodness in other peoples intent. If they ascribe Machiavellian intent on to others, it is an indication they are motivated by similar intent.