Covid 'lab leak theory': What we've learned

[Sympthsical]

72. "Created as a bioweapon" is meant to conflate reasonable with fringe

So the whole thing can be dismissed out of hand. It's a purposeful tactic to discredit any discussion.

Most people who are suspicious of the lab know that these viruses are researched for all kinds of reasons, including - rather ironically - understanding what would happen with a pandemic.

But if anyone who asks questions can be labeled a conspiracy theorist who believes "China WaNtS tO KiLL Us!!111!!" then they don't have to entertain any questions, even the most obvious ones.

It's a protective head-in-sand tactic.

But I think its effectiveness is kind of over at this point. It's only a matter of how long some people will cling to it. It's easier than admitting, "Maybe going along with and defending authoritarian censorship, particularly on scientific matters, was a mistake."

That'll never get admitted. Some people just dug in too deep and invested in it.