How I talk to the victims of conspiracy theories

Re:How I talk to the victims of conspiracy theories by InitialLastName on Monday November 02, 2020 @11:03AM (#24969535)

If people are threatening the health and safety of other people (including uninvolved bystanders, not to mention people who disagree with them) based on their beliefs and opinions, does it not approach being your responsibility to do what you can to disavow them of those beliefs?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How I talk to the victims of conspiracy theories by LeCow on Monday November 02, 2020 @11:08AM (#24969596)

How does believing in something false threaten someones safety?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How I talk to the victims of conspiracy theories by brlewis on Monday November 02, 2020 @11:43AM (#24970031)

Merely believing in something false is harmless, but once in a while humans actually act on their beliefs.

Suppose a restaurant employee believes that the requirement to wash hands before returning to work is a hoax by the soap companies in order to sell more soap. If the employee believes this but never acts on it, fine. But if they stop washing their hands before returning to work, that threatens public health.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How I talk to the victims of conspiracy theories by InitialLastName on Monday November 02, 2020 @11:42AM (#24970019)

If that belief leads you to assault (even just verbally) retail employees for requesting you follow basic hygiene principles in slowing the spread of a pandemic.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How I talk to the victims of conspiracy theories by DFHippie on Monday November 02, 2020 @11:29AM (#24969838)

If it causes you to act in accordance with the false belief in ways that threaten someone's safety. For instance, you might shoot up Comet Pizza.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How I talk to the victims of conspiracy theories by redlock on Monday November 02, 2020 @11:37AM (#24969956)

By refusing to follow the rules set by the medical authorities. Refusing to wear mask, not isolating when infected, etc...

A more extreme example of false beliefs causing great harm is the Holocaust that was caused by Nazis believing the Jews are part of a conspiracy to undermine Germany and were the cause of Germany's defeat in WW1.

False beliefs can cause a lot of harm to a lot of people in both personal level (not vaccinating your kids) and to the larger societal level.

[ Parent | on HN ]