# Can we drop the superior "tinfoil hat" phrase, please? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 3, 2005, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252 "2005-05-03T17:58:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/41 "2005-05-04T16:53:59Z")
> [@Brain Wreck](#): > > Listen, are you guys actually debunking anything or just having a big wank because somebody said the phrase “Area 51?” > > This is a link to a satellite image, not on some nutter’s web site, but on [maps.google.com](http://maps.google.com). > [http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.665124,-116.025646&spn=0.015750,0.021329&t=k&hl=en](http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.665124,-116.025646&spn=0.015750,0.021329&t=k&hl=en) > > Keep in mind this isn’t Paladin Press or the Flat Earth society… Google is a reference site that we consider reliable, is it not? (see the other pseudo-intellectual rejoinder “I’m too lazy to talk to you, Google for it”). Perhaps the pattern is real, or perhaps a prankster at Google slipped the image in there. If you zoom in closely, it looks fairly real. > > Anyway, didn’t mean to step on your little superiority trip there… please resume your high-school science club sophistry. And WTF does your google link have to do with the OP in the GQ thread which inspired this thread? If you’ll recall, the OP in _that_ thread linked to [this page](http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/b/f/bfs124/area%2051%20Pictures/index.htm) which was **not** a Google maps page, but some guy’s blog. Ya ever think that it _might_ be possible that a blogger would say, Photoshop an image of some place like Area 51 to make it look suspicious in certain people’s minds? Nah, of course not. Of course, you don’t even _need_ Photoshopped images to come up with bizarre images when people like [this guy](http://www.livejournal.com/community/the_unexplained/37956.html#cutid1) come up with nutty shit all on their own. And hell, just for sake of completeness let me link you to [this page](http://www.fas.org/irp/overhead/groom.htm) and [this page](http://www.fas.org/irp/overhead/ikonos_040400_overview_03-f.htm), both of which have **better** images of Area 51 than you can find on Google. Methinks that the reason you’re so pissed off at people bringing up the idea of the whole tinfoil hat brigade is because _you_ honestly believe that there’s alien technology at Area 51 that the Government’s keeping from us, but you **don’t** have the balls to come right out and say it, since you know we’ll all point and laugh at you. ---
**Author:** ![Daithi\_Lacha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daithi_lacha/32/5430_2.png) [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/42 "2005-05-04T17:47:30Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > Of course, you don’t even _need_ Photoshopped images to come up with bizarre images when people like [this guy](http://www.livejournal.com/community/the_unexplained/37956.html#cutid1) come up with nutty shit all on their own. OK, checked out that link, and whoo, yeah, mm-hmm… > [@Steven](#): > > Anyway, with my interest peaked, I decided to check out the controversial technology. Upon going to [http://maps.google.com](http://maps.google.com), I immediately COULD NOT find the link to this so-called satellite mapping. Little did I know, however, that google had cleverly hid it in plain view on the upper right hand side of the page. It had been disguised under the link name “satellite,” which I understand is actually a German word meaning “I want to look into your house now.” So I ran the phrase through a translation parser, and “I want to look into your house now,” in German, is “Ich will in Ihrem Haus jetzt anschauen.” How like “satellite” that is. Spooky! I’ll be frank. My wife is getting more and more heavily into conspiracy theories, and it’s absolutely breaking my heart. Her current bugbear is the flouridation of municipal water supplies (“Not ‘fluoride!’ ‘Fluor_ine!_’ There’s a _big_ difference!”). It’s not that she’s worried about the fluoride/cancer link - it’s that flourine in the water makes us all mentally malleable and laconic, and unresisting to the evil government! I’m about three steps away from using the phrase “Tinfoil Hat” to her face, but I know what that’ll get me… Sorry - had to vent. ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/43 "2005-05-04T18:56:58Z")
It’s no different than the roll-eyes smiley and all of the other little tools that people try to use around here in the quest to show intellectual superiority like 5th graders at a gifted and talented camp . . . I mean the fight to battle ignorance. Don’t let it shock you; if that’s the only example of it you have seen on this Board, then count yourself as lucky. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/44 "2005-05-04T18:58:34Z")
> [@SlyFrog](#): > > It’s no different than the roll-eyes smiley and all of the other little tools that people try to use around here in the quest to show intellectual superiority like 5th graders at a gifted and talented camp . . . I mean the fight to battle ignorance. And it’s not unlike the holier-than-thou snarkiness of those who pretend to be above the in-jokes, either. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/45 "2005-05-04T19:05:55Z")
> [@SlyFrog](#): > > It’s no different than the roll-eyes smiley and all of the other little tools that people try to use around here in the quest to show intellectual superiority like 5th graders at a gifted and talented camp . . . I mean the fight to battle ignorance. > > Don’t let it shock you; if that’s the only example of it you have seen on this Board, then count yourself as lucky. Yeah, it’s not like **Cecil** ever replied to a question with a snarky answer. [Oh, wait. . .](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_086.html) ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/46 "2005-05-04T19:10:02Z")
> [@SlyFrog](#): > > It’s no different than the roll-eyes smiley and all of the other little tools that people try to use around here in the quest to show intellectual superiority like 5th graders at a gifted and talented camp . . . I mean the fight to battle ignorance. You’re still mad because you didn’t into camp, aren’t you? If it makes you feel better, it wasn’t that you weren’t smart enough, it was the bedwetting. No one wants to share a bunk bed with a bedwetter. ---
**Author:** ![Uvula\_Donor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e19adc/32.png) [@Uvula\_Donor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uvula_Donor)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/47 "2005-05-04T19:17:59Z")
> [@SlyFrog](#): > > . . .all of the other little tools that people try to use around here . . . Hehheh heh heh m heh…he said “little tools.” ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/48 "2005-05-04T20:27:38Z")
> [@Happy Scrappy Hero Pup](#): > > And it’s not unlike the holier-than-thou snarkiness of those who pretend to be above the in-jokes, either. Well, I knew that one was coming. Even had something in my original post to attempt to forestall it, but took it out from the wrongful hope that I would not get the ever so clever, “Oh yeah, you’re complaining about complaining,” response. Obviously my first assumption should have been used, rather than my idealistic hope. Anywho, in response to your, um, point, it might be a bit different if these things were tossed out as in-jokes, rather than dismissive “witty barbs” in an intellectual pissing match. Of course, your definition of “joke” may vary from mine; I haven’t found a lot of people who believe that dismissing someone’s thoughts and arguments in a condescending manner is a good “joke.” ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/49 "2005-05-04T20:34:48Z")
> [@SlyFrog](#): > > Of course, your definition of “joke” may vary from mine; I haven’t found a lot of people who believe that dismissing someone’s thoughts and arguments in a condescending manner is a good “joke.” Eh. Sez you! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/50 "2005-05-04T21:00:10Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Eh. Sez you! 😃 Ok, I did find that pretty funny. Maybe I’m getting corrupted. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/51 "2005-05-04T22:08:45Z")
> [@SlyFrog](#): > > Anywho, in response to your, um, point, it might be a bit different if these things were tossed out as in-jokes, rather than dismissive “witty barbs” in an intellectual pissing match. > > Of course, your definition of “joke” may vary from mine; I haven’t found a lot of people who believe that dismissing someone’s thoughts and arguments in a condescending manner is a good “joke.” True, but then again, anyone who is uptight enough to insist that tinfoil-hatters be rebutted according to Robert’s Rules probably doesn’t find very _much_ funny, so it’s not like you’re just missing this _one_ nuance. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/52 "2005-05-05T00:24:38Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > And WTF does your google link have to do with the OP in the GQ thread which inspired this thread? If you’ll recall, the OP in _that_ thread linked to [this page](http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/b/f/bfs124/area%2051%20Pictures/index.htm) which was **not** a Google maps page, but some guy’s blog. Ya ever think that it _might_ be possible that a blogger would say, Photoshop an image of some place like Area 51 to make it look suspicious in certain people’s minds? Nah, of course not. Yeah, the guy could have photshopped them for his blog, but the thing is that he didn’t. Google has exactly the same images with exactly the same patterns. If you’ll search the thread, someone has posted the direct links to the Google images where anyone can see the same patterns yourself. A former pilot explained that the hexagram was actually a mockup of a Russian surface-to-air missile battery that he’d done training runs against elsewhere. Or you could just sit back and feel smug, your choice. > [@](#): > > Methinks that the reason you’re so pissed off at people bringing up the idea of the whole tinfoil hat brigade is because _you_ honestly believe that there’s alien technology at Area 51 that the Government’s keeping from us, but you **don’t** have the balls to come right out and say it, since you know we’ll all point and laugh at you. Now you’re claiming ESP, and you imply that _I_ am a conspiracy nut. Geez. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/53 "2005-05-05T00:44:00Z")
> [@Happy Scrappy Hero Pup](#): > > True, but then again, anyone who is uptight enough to insist that tinfoil-hatters be rebutted according to Robert’s Rules probably doesn’t find very _much_ funny, so it’s not like you’re just missing this _one_ nuance. You are completely missing the point. The point is not that tinfoil hatters all deserve a thorough debunking, but rather that it’s often wrong to jump immediately to the conclusion that a question falls under “tinfoil hattery”. In fact, I posted 2 such threads where initially people trotted out “tinfoil hattery” but later someone else came along to prove that the phenomenon described was observable and documented. HP printer cartridges _do_ programmatically expire, but it was initially dismissed as “tinfoil hattery” until more knowledgable persons stepped in and cited that they actually do. The [maps.google.com](http://maps.google.com) site _does_ contain images of Area 51 which _do_ show areas redacted in black, or having distinctive geometric shapes that serve no readily apparent miltary purpose (such as a very large hexagram). This was dismissed as “tinfoil hattery” until more knowledgable persons stopped in and demonstrated that the images definitely _can_ be observed on google, and that some of these patterns have some well-known military training purposes. So be careful tossing that label around too easily, lest in the end someone more intelligent make you look like the fool that you are. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/54 "2005-05-05T00:55:49Z")
> [@Brain Wreck](#): > > Yeah, the guy could have photshopped them for his blog, but the thing is that he didn’t. Google has exactly the same images with exactly the same patterns. If you’ll search the thread, someone has posted the direct links to the Google images where anyone can see the same patterns yourself. A former pilot explained that the hexagram was actually a mockup of a Russian surface-to-air missile battery that he’d done training runs against elsewhere. And the guy could have linked to the google images, but he _didn’t_. He linked to a **blog**. Now let’s think about this for a moment, shall we? The subject of the original OP is an area which is the center of all kinds of oddball theories. That’s strike one. Second, the OP makes the claim that he found the images on Google, but does he link to the Google pages showing those images? No. He doesn’t. Strike two. In the OP he has a _lot_ of vaguely worded questions, and **doesn’t** make any disclaimers about believing in “Little Green Men” being there. Generally, this means that they’re hoping someone’s going to come in an post, “OMG! It’s the landing pad for alien saucers!” Strike three. > [@](#): > > Or you could just sit back and feel smug, your choice. Well, it beats being a whiny little bitch with no sense of humor. > [@](#): > > Now you’re claiming ESP, and you imply that _I_ am a conspiracy nut. Geez. No, I’m calling you a craven little coward. There’s a big difference. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/55 "2005-05-05T03:13:13Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > And the guy could have linked to the google images, but he _didn’t_. He linked to a **blog**. Now let’s think about this for a moment, shall we? The subject of the original OP is an area which is the center of all kinds of oddball theories. That’s strike one. It is also a legitimate military installation where a lot of high-tech testing has taken place, and presumably still does take place. So bullshit on your “strike one.” > [@](#): > > Second, the OP makes the claim that he found the images on Google, but does he link to the Google pages showing those images? No. He doesn’t. Strike two. That didn’t stop a number of other people on the thread from independently finding the images on Google, though. If you’re too lazy to double check something that’s fine, but if you don’t, you have no basis to mock. Everybody who cried “tinfoil hat” on that thread now looks like assholes because interesting facts were discovered by those who didn’t react in prejudice. > [@](#): > > In the OP he has a _lot_ of vaguely worded questions, and **doesn’t** make any disclaimers about believing in “Little Green Men” being there. Generally, this means that they’re hoping someone’s going to come in an post, “OMG! It’s the landing pad for alien saucers!” Strike three. The OP only asked “what is in these images?” He said nothing about UFO’s. Those implications only came from other chuckleheads like you who assume that “Area 51” automatically means “nutball”, overlooking the fact that it is a legitimate advanced research site. Does everyone discussing a legitimate research site have to make a disclaimer to defend themselves against\* your \* personal prejudices? That’s a bit self-centered, isn’t it? So bullshit on your “strike three.” > [@](#): > > No, I’m calling you a craven little coward. There’s a big difference. You know, I don’t have to justify myself to a prick who makes statements like that, but I’m just interested in the activities at a place that has field-tested the U2, SR-71, and the Stealth fighter aircraft. I’m interested in what other manmade technology may be coming out of there, and it has absolutely zero to do with UFO’s. So in accusing me of being a UFO believer you are completely wrong, and in calling me a coward for not coming clean about a belief I don’t possess makes you an unmitigated jackass. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/56 "2005-05-05T03:48:53Z")
> [@Brain Wreck](#): > > Keep in mind this isn’t Paladin Press or the Flat Earth society… Google is a reference site that we consider reliable, is it not? (see the other pseudo-intellectual rejoinder “I’m too lazy to talk to you, Google for it”). Perhaps the pattern is real, or perhaps a prankster at Google slipped the image in there. If you zoom in closely, it looks fairly real. Or perhaps the images were changed before they were made available to Google and other public sources just to fuel rumor mills. After all, satellite images of the [White House](http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1600+pennsylvania+avenue+washington+dc&spn=0.004839,0.007918&t=k&hl=en) are blacked out and images of all of Capitol Hill are pixelated. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/57 "2005-05-05T08:50:50Z")
Oooh looky here. Another thread pitting some snarky joke that someone didn’t think was funny and proceeded to read ulterior motives into. If this sort of think keeps up, the mods are going to have to enforce a “mandatory smiley with joke” rule so noone will get their panties in a bunch over something that they failed to see the humor in. :rolleyes: smiley used to convey my vast intellectual superiority to the rest of you ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/58 "2005-05-05T09:55:59Z")
> [@Brain Wreck](#): > > It is also a legitimate military installation where a lot of high-tech testing has taken place, and presumably still does take place. So bullshit on your “strike one.” Sorry, no, if you’re going to whine, and demand facts, you don’t get to toss out the **fact** that Area 51 garners more attention by the folks who think there are UFOs there, than legitimate news organizations. > [@](#): > > That didn’t stop a number of other people on the thread from independently finding the images on Google, though. If you’re too lazy to double check something that’s fine, but if you don’t, you have no basis to mock. Everybody who cried “tinfoil hat” on that thread now looks like assholes because interesting facts were discovered by those who didn’t react in prejudice. So the OP got factual answers, and some people also had fun. And a great time was had by everyone except you. > [@](#): > > The OP only asked “what is in these images?” He said nothing about UFO’s. Those implications only came from other chuckleheads like you who assume that “Area 51” automatically means “nutball”, overlooking the fact that it is a legitimate advanced research site. Does everyone discussing a legitimate research site have to make a disclaimer to defend themselves against\* your \* personal prejudices? That’s a bit self-centered, isn’t it? So bullshit on your “strike three.” No, the only being self-centered here is you. You’re whining because **you** think that it’s offensive and wrong. > [@](#): > > You know, I don’t have to justify myself to a prick who makes statements like that, but I’m just interested in the activities at a place that has field-tested the U2, SR-71, and the Stealth fighter aircraft. I’m interested in what other manmade technology may be coming out of there, and it has absolutely zero to do with UFO’s. So in accusing me of being a UFO believer you are completely wrong, and in calling me a coward for not coming clean about a belief I don’t possess makes you an unmitigated jackass. Heh, you’re funny. You’ve gotten you’re ass handed to you by nearly everyone who’s posted to this thread, you’ve even had examples posted to this thread of where the person who **inspired** this message board has handed out similar snarky responses to questions as the response that inspired this thread, and yet you persist in bitching about it. Seems to me that the unmitigated jackass here is you. You’re the one whining about the culture here, not the rest of us. If you don’t like it, there is a solution to it. ---
**Author:** ![zagloba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/977dab/32.png) [@zagloba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zagloba)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/59 "2005-05-05T12:36:54Z")
Oh, for Pete’s sake! Is this festival of hypersensitivity still going on? The post in question is a harmless little joke based on the premise that some people think the moon landing was faked and the kind of people that do would be likely to think it was staged at Area 51. For people who believe such things, the tag of tinfoil hattery is entirely apposite. The phrase “tin foil hat on” doesn’t apply to you unless you believe the moon landing was faked. Granted, in GQ we generally hope that jokes will be deferred until a reasonable attempt has been made to answer the question, but _sheesh_! ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252/60 "2005-05-05T13:05:38Z")
> [@BrainWreck](#): > > So be careful tossing that label around too easily, lest in the end someone more intelligent make you look like the fool that you are. Well, it won’t be _you_, so you’ll still have to get your thrills vicariously. Don’t you get it? You could reaffirm the law of GRAVITY and some wag will bounce in, put on his pretend tinfoil hat, and accuse you of covering up the government’s use of superglue and invisible rubberbands to attach everything to the earth. Or they’ll call YOU a tinfoil-hatter for subscribing to a theory so universal it MUST be fake. Oh. I guess you don’t get it. But you know what the great thing about this board is? You can _gasp_ scroll past the posts with which you do not agree or which tweak your sensibilities, or which make fun of you. Given your track record, though, you’ll likely have carpal tunnel syndrome within the hour. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-drop-the-superior-tinfoil-hat-phrase-please/302252.md?page=4)