Conspiracy theories: Difference between revisions

From metawiki
mNo edit summary
mNo edit summary
Line 6: Line 6:
[[wikipedia:Conspiracy_theories_in_United_States_politics|Conspiracy theories]] distract us from addressing the real problems in [[society]] by substituting imagined ones. They need to become [[taboo]] again, so that discussing them on [[social media]] will get you shunned, even within your own [[in-group]].
[[wikipedia:Conspiracy_theories_in_United_States_politics|Conspiracy theories]] distract us from addressing the real problems in [[society]] by substituting imagined ones. They need to become [[taboo]] again, so that discussing them on [[social media]] will get you shunned, even within your own [[in-group]].


{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLfL1Gm9QDM||center|How to Argue with Conspiracy Theorists (And Win)|frame}}
== The Great Fractal Conspiracy ==
The best way to combat the tendency to make false connections and associations in an attempt to understand the world is to offer true connections and associations that make [[rational]] sense of the whole [[universe]].
 
In [[metaculture]], the master [[meme]] that connects all of the facts that you know about [[reality]] is referred to as the [[God Concept|god concept]]. The [[brain]] naturally [[Self-organization|self-organizes]] a [[God Concept|god concept]], so it is imperative that [[culture]] present one that can be more readily accepted than conspiracy theories or [[scriptural]] [[literalism]].
 
=== The [[wikipedia:Apophenia|Apophenia]] is Real ===
[[wikipedia:Apophenia|Apophenia]] is the tendency to perceive meaningful connections between unrelated things. Conspiracy theory is a by-product of this, as are all forms of [[superstition]] and [[quantum woo]]. It is a by-product of how our [[brains]] learn naturally by forming associations with existing [[concepts]] and [[memories]].
 
When the [[brain]] is not given a productive way to incorporate the [[information overload]] that [[life]] throws at you, it has a tendency to make unproductive connections. Because it ''has to make some connection no matter what''. It's just what the [[brain]] does.
 
[[wikipedia:Frequency_illusion|The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon]] is real too, as this author just learned the word [[wikipedia:Apophenia|Apophenia]], though the general [[concept]] was already a familiar one.
 
=== Productive Apophenia ===
Since the [[brain]] longs to make connections, [[culture]] must give its [[brains]] a nice, organized, patterned view of the [[universe]], or else its [[minds]] create messy, disorganized ones that tend to not get along with the others.
 
[[Religion]] has traditionally served this purpose using the [[God Concept|god concept]], but it is becoming increasingly ineffective due to the inaccuracy  and incompleteness of the pattern it presents compared to [[scientific]] evidence.
 
If a positive model for [[pantheistic]] patterning can be presented to [[Family|pubescent people]], they can be inoculated against conspiracy, [[superstition]], [[misinformation]], [[grift]], and other modern maladies that [[profit]] from poor patterns.
 
=== Holding a Mirror to the Mirror World to Create a Cool Fractal ===
In Naomi Klein's book [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/138505710 Doppleganger] she describes the "mirror world" of conspiracy theories, where would-be activists point to real problems in [[society]], then go down [[social media]] rabbit holes full of [[misinformation]] and [[grift]] in an attempt to explain how things got this way, and end up supporting the right-wing policies and [[politics]] that have exacerbated the very problems that [[Outrage|outraged]] them in the first place.
 
These would-be [[progressive]] activists exist in a mirror world where right-wing populism and anti-[[science]] [[contrarianism]] is somehow going to solve all of our problems. But that solution usually takes the form of civil [[war]] and [[apocalypse]].
 
But what if we could hold a mirror up to the mirror world and crate a [[fractal]] pattern that shows these conspiracy theorists just how deep the rabbit hole ''really'' goes?
 
=== More Connections, Nicer Connections ===
Using the [[fractal]] as a conceptual metaphor for the "underlying order of the [[universe]]" creates a highly-ordered base pattern that can be used to form reality-based associations with any new information you come across.
 
Since the entire [[universe]] is like one big [[fractal]], anything and everything can be meaningfully connected to the great and [[wonderful]] [[fractal]] pattern.
 
Since the [[fractal]] represents [[Mathematics and Logic|mathematics and logic]], using it as an organizing pattern reinforces [[critical thinking]] rather than diminishing it.
 
Since [[nature]] has so many structures and [[complex systems]] that are better understood by understanding [[fractal]] geometry, using the [[Fractal Geometry of God|fractal]] pattern actually helps you understand the things you associate with it rather than leading you astray.
 
If you think that it's the Illuminati who are behind everything, wait until I tell you about [[mathematics]] and the [[laws of physics]] and the infinite [[fractal]] conspiracy controlling the whole of existence!
 
[[Happiness and well-being|And it only wants you to be happy]].
 
== YouTube Conspiracy ==
The idea that the YouTube [[algorithm]] promotes conspiracy theories is exactly what they want you to think. {{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLfL1Gm9QDM||center|How to Argue with Conspiracy Theorists (And Win)|frame}}
<br>
<br>
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_SubGenius The Church of the SubGenius] attempts to subvert conspiracy theory through mockery. It is dedicated to fighting "the conspiracy" through the advocacy of [[Slack]].
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_SubGenius The Church of the SubGenius] attempts to subvert conspiracy theory through mockery. It is dedicated to fighting "the conspiracy" through the advocacy of [[Slack]].

Revision as of 11:16, 4 February 2024

Apparently "JFK playing cards with the Qanon Shaman" is "against the DALL-E content policy"

The proliferation of conspiracy theories on social media has gone hand-in-hand with the spread of misinformation and outrage.

When people feel lose trust in institutions, there is a tendency to imagine nefarious villains puling strings behind the scenes, rather than the manufactured consent of established cultures within those institutions that cause bureaucratic rigidity, perverse incentives, and authoritarian mindsets.

Conspiracy theories distract us from addressing the real problems in society by substituting imagined ones. They need to become taboo again, so that discussing them on social media will get you shunned, even within your own in-group.

The Great Fractal Conspiracy

The best way to combat the tendency to make false connections and associations in an attempt to understand the world is to offer true connections and associations that make rational sense of the whole universe.

In metaculture, the master meme that connects all of the facts that you know about reality is referred to as the god concept. The brain naturally self-organizes a god concept, so it is imperative that culture present one that can be more readily accepted than conspiracy theories or scriptural literalism.

The Apophenia is Real

Apophenia is the tendency to perceive meaningful connections between unrelated things. Conspiracy theory is a by-product of this, as are all forms of superstition and quantum woo. It is a by-product of how our brains learn naturally by forming associations with existing concepts and memories.

When the brain is not given a productive way to incorporate the information overload that life throws at you, it has a tendency to make unproductive connections. Because it has to make some connection no matter what. It's just what the brain does.

The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon is real too, as this author just learned the word Apophenia, though the general concept was already a familiar one.

Productive Apophenia

Since the brain longs to make connections, culture must give its brains a nice, organized, patterned view of the universe, or else its minds create messy, disorganized ones that tend to not get along with the others.

Religion has traditionally served this purpose using the god concept, but it is becoming increasingly ineffective due to the inaccuracy and incompleteness of the pattern it presents compared to scientific evidence.

If a positive model for pantheistic patterning can be presented to pubescent people, they can be inoculated against conspiracy, superstition, misinformation, grift, and other modern maladies that profit from poor patterns.

Holding a Mirror to the Mirror World to Create a Cool Fractal

In Naomi Klein's book Doppleganger she describes the "mirror world" of conspiracy theories, where would-be activists point to real problems in society, then go down social media rabbit holes full of misinformation and grift in an attempt to explain how things got this way, and end up supporting the right-wing policies and politics that have exacerbated the very problems that outraged them in the first place.

These would-be progressive activists exist in a mirror world where right-wing populism and anti-science contrarianism is somehow going to solve all of our problems. But that solution usually takes the form of civil war and apocalypse.

But what if we could hold a mirror up to the mirror world and crate a fractal pattern that shows these conspiracy theorists just how deep the rabbit hole really goes?

More Connections, Nicer Connections

Using the fractal as a conceptual metaphor for the "underlying order of the universe" creates a highly-ordered base pattern that can be used to form reality-based associations with any new information you come across.

Since the entire universe is like one big fractal, anything and everything can be meaningfully connected to the great and wonderful fractal pattern.

Since the fractal represents mathematics and logic, using it as an organizing pattern reinforces critical thinking rather than diminishing it.

Since nature has so many structures and complex systems that are better understood by understanding fractal geometry, using the fractal pattern actually helps you understand the things you associate with it rather than leading you astray.

If you think that it's the Illuminati who are behind everything, wait until I tell you about mathematics and the laws of physics and the infinite fractal conspiracy controlling the whole of existence!

And it only wants you to be happy.

YouTube Conspiracy

The idea that the YouTube algorithm promotes conspiracy theories is exactly what they want you to think.

How to Argue with Conspiracy Theorists (And Win)


The Church of the SubGenius attempts to subvert conspiracy theory through mockery. It is dedicated to fighting "the conspiracy" through the advocacy of Slack.

Church of the SubGenuis


Paramore - Conspiracy