# 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:** 13\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/41 "2009-01-21T17:17:58Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > The Cheesestak figured prominently in the _Land of the Lost._ I think you mean, Land of the Ost. Why don’t we just have a few sticky threads for all the common conspiracies so the new guys know what’s already been covered or can just add their theories? ---
**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 21, 2009, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/42 "2009-01-21T17:26:09Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > I think you mean, Land of the Ost. > Why don’t we just have a few sticky threads for all the common conspiracies so the new guys know what’s already been covered or can just add their theories? Yeah something like this would make sense and might save some time in the long run. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![HookerChemical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@HookerChemical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HookerChemical)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/43 "2009-01-21T17:30:05Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > I love conspiracy theories. It is fun to see where people are coming from. Sometimes they come from places you don’t even know exist. Sometimes they are right or have some truth in back of them.Ruby Ridge is an example of where the official view was discordant with many of the facts.We actually do have cover ups in America you know. > Who defines a conspiracy ? The Mai Lai massacre was soundly rejected by most sources in the beginning. Our newspapers often have to be forced to do their jobs and actually investigate. Watergate was an example of that. > So the Bilderbergs and flying saucer people should not be lumped with those who think our government serves the few nowadays. Some feel the government does not work for us. It works fine for the rich and powerful though. And herein lies the grand paradox of conspiracies: Real conspiracies are secrets that nobody has heard of, but everybody’s heard the whacky, fake conspiracies. As I’ve said, I love the first few pages. People can learn a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/44 "2009-01-21T17:36:07Z")
How about a rule that says, if the noob makes a post that displays a total lack of knowledge about a topic, members must combat their lack of knowledge? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/45 "2009-01-21T19:02:21Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > For the record, I once had a cat who was affiliated with the Mew World Order. > > We kept _that_ bowl filled, you betcha. You’re on to us! [http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?postid=2555996#post2555996](http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?postid=2555996#post2555996) ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/46 "2009-01-21T19:11:30Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > How about a rule that says, if the noob makes a post that displays a total lack of knowledge about a topic, members must combat their lack of knowledge? 😃 The problem isn’t “lack of knowledge”, it’s usually “passionately defending FALSE knowledge and refusing to contemplate any evidence to the contrary”. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/47 "2009-01-21T19:32:00Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > The problem isn’t “lack of knowledge”, it’s usually “passionately defending FALSE knowledge and refusing to contemplate any evidence to the contrary”. I know, they’re almost always hopeless to argue with. But it can be entertaining and I do think I’ve learned things from those threads - at least, the first few times, maybe not the 50th - so they’re not completely worthless. ---
**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 21, 2009, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/48 "2009-01-21T19:33:55Z")
How about rolling 9/11 et al conspiracy threads? If someone posts they have proof that the jews blew up the WTC then it gets placed into the thread by a mod. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/49 "2009-01-22T01:22:30Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > How about they can’t start a Conspiracy Theory thread until they’ve posted 50 times. Something like that. I’m only half-joking. No, that’s counterproductive. It is best that you find out as quickly as possible that someone is a loon. Just let them post their crap as soon as they can, then we all know what to expect from that poster. ---
**Author:** ![hobscrk777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a6a055/32.png) [@hobscrk777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hobscrk777)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/50 "2009-01-22T02:03:30Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Or, we could just not bother arguing with people who show up out of nowhere defending crackpot theories. You mean…not…argue with people…on the INTERNETS???one!? ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/51 "2009-01-22T06:35:29Z")
> [@hobscrk777](#): > > You mean…not…argue with people…on the INTERNETS???one!? [The work of fighting ignorance is never done.](http://xkcd.com/386/) ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/52 "2009-01-22T07:17:14Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > How about rolling 9/11 et al conspiracy threads? You should never give up. The SDMB would never let you down that way. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149/53 "2009-01-22T15:38:42Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Given the financial state of the owner of the SDMB, why not just set up a fee schedule: > > Sane posts – free > > Nutbar posts – $10 per thread opener, and $2 per nutbar post thereafter Are you trying to bankrupt me for gods sake! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-bring-in-a-rule-for-n00bs-with-regard-to-conspiracy-theory-threads/482149.md?page=2)