# Could we bring in a rule for n00bs with regard to conspiracy theory threads? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 20, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149 "2009-01-20T16:51:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/1 "2009-01-20T16:51:38Z")
How about they can’t start a Conspiracy Theory thread until they’ve posted 50 times. Something like that. I’m only half-joking. ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/2 "2009-01-20T17:00:03Z")
Or a rule that says you can’t post in the same thread over 20 times unless you post in other threads within the same time frame. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/3 "2009-01-20T17:09:03Z")
Or, we could just not bother arguing with people who show up out of nowhere defending crackpot theories. ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/4 "2009-01-20T17:10:33Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Or, we could just not bother arguing with people who show up out of nowhere defending crackpot theories. This. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/5 "2009-01-20T17:11:46Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Or, we could just not bother arguing with people who show up out of nowhere defending crackpot theories. Now, that’s just crazy talk. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/6 "2009-01-20T17:15:27Z")
I say, feed their paranoia. Lock the threads with a vague and sinister warning about how The Authorities see no profit in continuing this line of discussion. ---
**Author:** ![HookerChemical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@HookerChemical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HookerChemical)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/7 "2009-01-20T17:24:51Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > I say, feed their paranoia. Lock the threads with a vague and sinister warning about how The Authorities see no profit in continuing this line of discussion. "I know the OP’s right about the GJFK assinination/Septtember 11/the mono landings/connspiracy of the week, but if I say anything more, they’ll lock the thread. Just take a look at [www.totallymadeupurlwithcatpictures.com](http://www.totallymadeupurlwithcatpictures.com). And OP, godo idae misspellling all those words to confise the earch engines They use." ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/8 "2009-01-20T17:43:36Z")
> [@HookerChemical](#): > > And OP, godo idae misspellling all those words to confise the earch engines They use." They usually do that on their own. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/9 "2009-01-20T17:57:02Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Or, we could just not bother arguing with people who show up out of nowhere defending crackpot theories. Sure… you’d like that wouldn’t you… Keep everyone from knowing the truth, eh? And why exactly do you have FOUR letter "e"s in your name? Hmmmmm? I think you know the significance of that number and the Illuminati. ---
**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:** [January 20, 2009, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/10 "2009-01-20T18:09:17Z")
> [@HookerChemical](#): > > […]the mono landings […] I just wanted to point out that this is the coolest mis-spelling I’ve seen in a while. ---
**Author:** ![HookerChemical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@HookerChemical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HookerChemical)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/11 "2009-01-20T19:03:11Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > They usually do that on their own. Whoosh! ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/12 "2009-01-20T19:18:01Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > And why exactly do you have FOUR letter "e"s in your name? Hmmmmm? Cheesestak, Cheessteak, and Chesesteak were already taken ☹ ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/13 "2009-01-20T19:59:45Z")
> [@HookerChemical](#): > > Whoosh! I was wondering why my hair was mussed. ---
**Author:** ![Algorithm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/algorithm/32/12204_2.png) [@Algorithm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algorithm)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/14 "2009-01-20T20:07:42Z")
Mostly I post so that innocent bystanders (those reading but not participating) get a little reason and logic intermixed with the crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Litoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@Litoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Litoris)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/15 "2009-01-20T20:26:06Z")
I like the conspiracy theorists – they make me look normal by comparison 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/16 "2009-01-20T20:52:03Z")
> [@HookerChemical](#): > > "I know the OP’s right about the GJFK assinination/Septtember 11/the mono landings/connspiracy of the week, but if I say anything more, they’ll lock the thread. Just take a look at [www.totallymadeupurlwithcatpictures.com](http://www.totallymadeupurlwithcatpictures.com). > > And OP, godo idae misspellling all those words to confise the earch engines They use." Hey, that link doesn’t lead to anything! ---
**Author:** ![Illuminatiprimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/illuminatiprimus/32/11520_2.png) [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/17 "2009-01-20T20:52:22Z")
I guess my presence in this thread is obligatory… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![straight\_man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/straight_man/32/3027_2.png) [@straight\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straight_man)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/18 "2009-01-20T20:54:34Z")
You know what ticks me off? You can learn things in those conspiracy threads. I mean, the debunkers have to make reasonably sophisticated arguments about physics, timelines, and so-on, and it adds detail. So I ask a clarifying question about what was being said… and nobody answers. Drat. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/19 "2009-01-20T21:02:34Z")
How about a rule that they need more than (1) cite for their information? Seems most of them wander in here mumbling “buh, buh, wha, what about this website/book?” ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/20 "2009-01-20T21:06:25Z")
Perhaps we need a rule whereby all conspiracy theory threads are automatically moved to the Pit where we may deal with them as we please. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149.md?page=2)