Posted on 11/08/2015 10:33:45 AM PST by PROCON
Psychologist Rob Bretherton talks about his new book and the way suspicion can overcome rationality
Why are conspiracy theories so attractive?
There is not so much of a difference between conspiracy theorists and the rest of us. We are drawn to the idea of conspiracy because it resonates with us; we understand the idea of people being self-interested and not having our best interests at heart, and having hidden motives and getting together to do shady stuff. Conspiracy theories extend upon that and tap into these assumptions and fears we have about the world. But we all have them, that’s why conspiracy theories make sense to us all.
How much can we really trust our own rationality and reason?
Not much at all. Most psychological research shows that we are all very much overly confident when it comes to trusting our own reasoning ability, our own perception, our own memory, all kinds of stuff. We live inside this kind of illusion that our brains concoct for us that we are seeing the world objectively and that we are coming to our beliefs because they are just the most sensible beliefs to have, but all the research shows we have a whole host of biases built into our brains that shape and colour our perception and beliefs about the world constantly without us being aware of it.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
Wow.
Just trust your leaders.
They will tell you the truth.
I've read that the grain theory is popular among some archeologists.
I have no opinion because I don't care.
If the truth isn’t out there, where IS it?
The fact they project this onto single events (such as JFK or 9/11) or everything (Trilateral commission or the Illuminati) doesn’t change the underlying psychosis
LOL, you funny guy. Think in blocks. Have certificate of approval with gold star sticker. Cadre leader.
the research shows we have a whole host of biases built into our brains that shape and colour our perception and beliefs
Biases of color. Another persecuted minority?
A hermetically sealed analogy.
Shhhhhhhhh....
Why do people believe in conspiracy theories? TWA 800 and JFK
Love the moon landing ones and also TWA 800 .... two of the best.
It's out there somewhere, your guess is as good as mine.
Now the Truth, that's another matter.
That sounds like a conspiracy to me.
But bias is not necessarily unbalanced. The reason the brain creates biases is to call attention to importance, by de-camoflauging the hidden dangers of the world.
Leftists, being poisonous mind-predators, naturally are interested in sitting down this ability, and so have demonized bias because it identifies them as the enemy.
I recently chanced upon the Titanic Did Not Sink in 1912 conspiracy theory.
Quite fascinating.... Compelling actually. It was the Olympia that went down in a massive insurance fraud scheme. The Titanic sailed thru the 1930’s.
Seemed more reasonable than the iceberg theory... But then, makes little difference one way or the other.
Bs, Obie is a conspiracy from head to foot; otherwise he could not have destroyed this country to the extent that he has.
What about global warming, or the Democrat plan to hold office forever by using votes from immigrants, or the high level GOP TURNCOATS. Conspiracies - they’re everywhere. There’s none so blind as those who will not see.
Ruby Ridge, Waco, Elian Gonzalez, OK city, 9/11, Bengazi—plenty of reasons to question the official storylines...
The biggest promoter of conspiracy theories is the government. The conspiracy brush is wide enough to get rid of all but the most pesky presumptuous peasants. After that, it gets personal.
[ Why are conspiracy theories so attractive?
There is not so much of a difference between conspiracy theorists and the rest of us. We are drawn to the idea of conspiracy because it resonates with us; we understand the idea of people being self-interested and not having our best interests at heart, and having hidden motives and getting together to do shady stuff. Conspiracy theories extend upon that and tap into these assumptions and fears we have about the world. But we all have them, that’s why conspiracy theories make sense to us all. ]
That lame ass reason is only responsible for less than 1/2 the reason WHY they are popular, the other half is all the DOCUMENTED times that the Government and media have conspired to hide the truth by twisting or just outright LYING about it.
[ Why are conspiracy theories so attractive?
There is not so much of a difference between conspiracy theorists and the rest of us. We are drawn to the idea of conspiracy because it resonates with us; we understand the idea of people being self-interested and not having our best interests at heart, and having hidden motives and getting together to do shady stuff. Conspiracy theories extend upon that and tap into these assumptions and fears we have about the world. But we all have them, that’s why conspiracy theories make sense to us all. ]
That lame ass reason is only responsible for less than 1/2 the reason WHY they are popular, the other half is all the DOCUMENTED times that the Government and media have conspired to hide the truth by twisting or just outright LYING about it.
How many times have each of you said, ‘Follow the money.’
No conspiracies, Bwa-ha-ha-ha
The Grand Unified Conspiracy theory of Everything, may appear at some point on this thread.....or it may not.
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