Wasn't sure where to post this, so I figured here would do...

Okay, so all of my roommates, and my boyfriend, believe in all these government conspiracy theories, saying how the government is out to get all of America. There's gonna be concentration camps called "Fema Camps" (not sure if I'm spelling that right), they put flouride in the water and mercury in our vaccines to dumb down the population to control us, they have "big brother" watching us all the time...and on and on and on.

My boyfriend goes a step further and says that the people with the most power are actually aliens called "reptillians".

Oh geez....

So, what the hell do I say to these people? I've already had the conversation with my boyfriend about how evolution isn't "just a theory" (common misconception, damnit!!! Scientific theory = fact that has been proven over and over and over again, but is still open to be "proven wrong"). It's frustrating, because I know it's bullshit, but I don't have any counter arguments.

Halp?

The truth is out there my friend.
Live long and prosper!

Well, you can always tell them they are nuts

Believe me, even if you were arguing at the highest level, most of these conspiracy nuts wouldn't start to think. Its funny that some might argue the government is dumbing them down, when in fact it is them dumbing themselves down with an extreme lack of education and critical thinking skills.

ETA: I'll move this thread to the skepticism & pseudoscience subforum, Its more on topic

I recommend you de-friend them asap!

Fluoride in the tap water depends which county and state. It helps prevents cavities.

Mercury was used as preservative for vaccines, but has long since been used. They have found other products.

Reptillians do not exist. Now, are your friends molesting reptiles?

(December 26, 2013 at 9:50 am)LalalaTabby Wrote: (common misconception, damnit!!! Scientific theory = fact that has been proven over and over and over again, but is still open to be "proven wrong")

I think a scientific theory is more of an explanation of the facts based on study and experimentation, not the facts themselves. The theory can be modified or, in extreme cases, changed completely as we learn more. But the facts remain facts.

As for conspiracy nuts, I know a couple. The ones I know tend to be a bit more self-aware, but it doesn't stop them from making people uncomfortable from time to time (one of them made our realtor a bit nervous when he started in on how the "chem trails" in the sky were part of a government plan to... I don't even remember what he thought they were doing, but it was bizarre). I admit it's kind of funny to see the look on people's faces when they realize they've stepped into the twilight zone.

Personally, I tend to humor them as long as I think they're safe to be around. Most conspiracy nuts seem to be happy enough just talking, and as long as they stick to that they're okay. When they start stocking up on ammo and rifles and cans of dog food, then it's time to worry.

Damn, these people make truthers & birthers look good.

Also, haven't you heard; evolution is a conspiracy! The gubmint made it up so they could... undermine god or something.

Quote:Okay, so all of my roommates, and my boyfriend, believe in all these government conspiracy theories, saying how the government is out to get all of America.

To quote Bill Maher: "The government isn't up to it.....the government can't deliver the mail."

LOL, you know I've actually met people who believe in reptile people and it was such a bizarre experience. I'm sorry but I think all of them are too far gone. Tell them there are more fluoride in toothpaste than water. Perhaps they should stop brushing teeth and see if anyone of them becomes smart enough to figure out how to save mankind.

On a more serious note, it's a waste of time to argue with conspiracy theorists. They have so much confirmation bias everything that doesn't agree with their theories are conspiracies. How can you possibly convince someone who thinks lizard people are real but a human president is a conspiracy?

Try this:

"Until you can provide evidence for your wild baseless assertions, I will continue to consider you a fucking idiot and appropriately minimize my exposure to your lunacy."

(December 26, 2013 at 9:50 am)LalalaTabby Wrote: So, what the hell do I say to these people?

I would tell you, except that I hear a black helicopter coming and must don my tinfoil hat first.