Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

gulliver

(13,142 posts)
Thu Jun 16, 2022, 07:52 PM Jun 2022

Why do we keep calling them believers in "conspiracy theories?"

Suppose a news channel host asks, "Why does Person A believe this xyz 'conspiracy theory'?" To me, that rings both arrogantly snarky and like the host is vouching for Person A's belief. The host has taken it as a premise that Person A believes the conspiracy theory.

That excludes the idea that Person A doesn't really believe it and is engaging in purposeful, malicious calumny. It also excludes the idea that Person A believes it (with no evidence), but doesn't have the moral character and maturity to restrict what they say to what they can prove. In the former case, they are low, in the latter case unrespectable. One thing they are not is innocent.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Why do we keep calling th...