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> Conspiracy theories undermined global efforts to contain the COVID-19 virus during the pandemic What? Which ones? Undermined how? > and were used in the lea

> Conspiracy theories undermined global efforts to contain the COVID-19 virus during the pandemic What? Which ones? Undermined how? > and were used in the lead-up to the January 6, 2021, raid on the Capitol. I thought a major political party was involved. Not 'conspiracy theorists'. > They lie at the core of political and social polarization Really? Conspiracy theorists lie at the core of political and social polarization? > fueling vaccine skepticism, climate change skepticism Well then address the skepticism and move on. What's the issue here? > and anti-science movements such as the flat earthers Flat earthers? Are we really suppose to pretend flat earthers have taken control over? No specifics given. It's almost like this study and article was created solely for political purposes. What's the point of this 'study' and article? Don't question authority? What's a bigger conspiracy theory than 'lonely conspiracy theorist flat earthers influence global pandemic contaiment efforts'? Does anyone seriously believe lonely conspiracy theorists influence anything? That's a sillier conspiracy than reptilian aliens influencing world affairs.

ralph84 2y ago
Yes. The whole point of lumping flat earthers together with people who question powerful people making decisions behind closed doors is so that people stop questioning the powerful people.
adleyjulian 2y ago
> What? Which ones? Undermined how? There's a long list of conspiracy theories about the vaccines. There are chips in there to track people, they're actually sterilizing people for population control, it's the mark of the beast, it's made with aborted fetuses, etc. This impacted vaccination rates. I can't think of any that would have actually increased rates, maybe something about the rich hoarding the vaccines, but that's a stretch. Also, they measured conspiracy mindset with the Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire, which has general questions like "I think there are secret organizations that greatly influence political decisions". They found that lonely teens, that then got lonelier overtime, had a higher rate of a conspiracy mentality in their 40s. It's hardly surprising but they also controlled for depression and anxiety, and found that loneliness still had a positive correlation with the mentality. I found that part interesting.

ralph84 2y ago

Yes. The whole point of lumping flat earthers together with people who question powerful people making decisions behind closed doors is so that people stop questioning the powerful people.

adleyjulian 2y ago

> What? Which ones? Undermined how? There's a long list of conspiracy theories about the vaccines. There are chips in there to track people, they're actually sterilizing people for population control, it's the mark of the beast, it's made with aborted fetuses, etc. This impacted vaccination rates. I can't think of any that would have actually increased rates, maybe something about the rich hoarding the vaccines, but that's a stretch. Also, they measured conspiracy mindset with the Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire, which has general questions like "I think there are secret organizations that greatly influence political decisions". They found that lonely teens, that then got lonelier overtime, had a higher rate of a conspiracy mentality in their 40s. It's hardly surprising but they also controlled for depression and anxiety, and found that loneliness still had a positive correlation with the mentality. I found that part interesting.