# I pit the derisive, condenscending, anti-conspiriacy ... \[merged threads\] **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 29, 2012, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653 "2012-06-29T02:19:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/41 "2012-06-29T16:27:06Z")
We could always take the NDD approach: If the conspiracy theories aren’t true, it should be easy for you to prove that! Since you haven’t, then I can only conclude that they are true. It’s not that I WANT to believe it, it’s just that YOU have left me no options! ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/42 "2012-06-29T17:10:49Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I don’t know much about him, but I do get a strong vibe of college sophomore (or perhaps dropout) who’s like, _figured it all out_, man My take on it is that he **hasn’t** “_figured it all out_, man,” so much as completely given up on figuring things out for himself, and concluded that anything and everything is possible. Therefore, things that sound neat and mysterious _might_ be true, so he keeps bringing them up. “What if they _are_ true? Huh? Isn’t that _interesting?_” In that other thread, I questioned his apparent assertion that a secret conspiracy wanted to be publicly acknowledged, but would not reveal any phone number (presumably because it wanted to remain entirely hidden). **Kozmik** never gave any reason why a group would want publicity and absolute anonymity/secrecy at the same time, let alone want to save the world’s economy but allow itself to be thwarted by someone not returning its phone calls. It’s like Superman letting Lex Luthor win because the Daily Planet spelled his name wrong or something. The inability to reconcile such contradictions is one thing, but the unwillingness to even respond to such questions indicates some deeper problem, assuming he’s not just toying with us. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/43 "2012-06-29T17:50:03Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > That’s what They _want_ you to think! Wait…the giant ants are in on it, too? I bet they’re the source of the mind-control chemicals. Stupid pheromones. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/44 "2012-06-29T17:51:08Z")
Are there Reverse Vampires involved? ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/45 "2012-06-29T18:02:46Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > That conspiracy thread was oddly reminiscent of the classic “Jimi Hendrix was drowned in wine” conspiracy thread, only dumber and duller. That was one of my [favorite threads](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=548518) ever. I miss **Jetblast**. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/46 "2012-06-29T18:03:45Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > That conspiracy thread was oddly reminiscent of the classic “Jimi Hendrix was drowned in wine” conspiracy thread."\* Link please? ETA: Simulpost, someone gave the link while I was writing this. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/47 "2012-06-29T18:04:27Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > Link please? See previous post. You won’t believe it. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/48 "2012-06-29T18:06:41Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > That was one of my [favorite threads](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=548518) ever. I miss **Jetblast**. My favorite part was near the end when he said Eric Burdon might’ve murdered Hendrix. **Kozmik** has a long way to go to catch up with \*\*Egmond Codfried \*\* and **Jetblast**. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/49 "2012-06-29T18:19:13Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > My favorite part was near the end when he said Eric Burdon might’ve murdered Hendrix. **Kozmik** has a long way to go to catch up with \*\*Egmond Codfried \*\* and **Jetblast**. It gives him something to aspire to. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/50 "2012-06-29T19:47:07Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > That was one of my [favorite threads](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=548518) ever. I miss **Jetblast**. I sort of miss him too. Few could quash a devastating logical rejoinder with a quip like this: > [@Jetblast](#): > > The lack of any feathers ruffling on your robe despite the obvious maelstrom of evidence bespeaks the dead air of your arguments. ---
**Author:** ![Fuji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@Fuji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuji)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/51 "2012-06-29T21:24:25Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > My favorite part was near the end when he said Eric Burdon might’ve murdered Hendrix. **Kozmik** has a long way to go to catch up with \*\*Egmond Codfried \*\* and **Jetblast**. Oh, man - I had forgotten all about ol’ **Eggie**. Thanks for the [reminder](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=544874). ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/52 "2012-06-29T21:50:35Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > I had it for a little while, but it turned out I couldn’t handle the truth. I think I left it in the fridge. The truth is out there… ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/53 "2012-06-29T22:10:29Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > Good point - though I’s strike “government” and substitute “establishment” so as to include any entrenched power structure whether public or private. . . . But there are also counter-establishment conspiracy theories. For instance, how does the establishment give any support to the Moon-Landing-Hoax theory, or the Government-Caused-AIDS theory? I would say, in fact, that most of these CTs are anti-establishment – or counter-establishment – in origin and aim. They may represent significant special interests, but those interests usually aren’t the mainstream. In contrast, the Iraq-Has-WMDs theory and Iraq-Niger-Yellowcake theory were definitely promoted by the establishment, and by the biggest one of all, the U.S. administrative branch. But it seems this is more uncommon than common. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/54 "2012-06-29T22:11:17Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > I love it! There is a secret government conspiracy to spread conspiracy theories. [Well, DUH!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_of_the_Urinal_Deuce) > [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > All those who are spreading them are really just Sheeple, falling for their master plan. :eek: Shhh! [Do not wake the Sheeple!](http://xkcd.com/1013/) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/55 "2012-06-29T22:12:21Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Don’t you _want_ politicians to be able to talk candidly at times, in reference to some Obama handshake story I have peripheral knowledge of, at best. Isn’t it enough to hear them talking candidly, at times, about Obama bowing to foreign leaders/monarchs? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/56 "2012-06-29T22:17:07Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > I had it for a little while, but it turned out I couldn’t handle the truth. I think I left it in the fridge. > [@Katriona](#): > > The truth is out there… Well, put it in the fridge before it spoils! :mad: ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/57 "2012-06-29T22:19:45Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > But there are also counter-establishment conspiracy theories. For instance, how does the establishment give any support to the Moon-Landing-Hoax theory, or the Government-Caused-AIDS theory? I would say, in fact, that most of these CTs are anti-establishment – or counter-establishment – in origin and aim. **JRD’s** point is that they are not counter-establishment in **effect.** > [@JRDelirious](#): > > “Grand Conspiracy” Theory, whether deliberately or unwittingly, tends to call attention away from how the state and Big Money screws the citizen/consumer or puts forth policies of dubious wisdom or dubious morality _piecemeal, **through perfectly legal means** _ – e.g. Mortgage-Backed Securities/Housing Bubble, PATRIOT Act, etc. People get into a lather over that the business and political leaders are gathering for the Bohemian Grove weekend secret retreat, while not even noticing the entirely public and open hearing on some piece of bad legislation, or not reading the notice their bank just sent them about a new item in their contract terms that will put them over a barrel. ---
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/58 "2012-06-29T22:45:02Z")
I lost interest in the other thread but this thread OP has an interesting claim that bears repeating and everyone, as predicted by the claim itself, goes of the rails on something totally different and insignificant. Because it’s probably easier. However, I’ll copy-paste it again and request comment on it: > [@](#): > > Originally Posted by Stink Fish Pot > Is it something psychological in us as Americans that don’t want to see ourselves (and as an extension of ourselves, the goverment) as cheaters, no better than say the USSR, who were masters of propaganda and never told their people the truth? I’d be also interested to see what Americans vs. non-Americans think of it. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/59 "2012-06-29T22:50:31Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Do not wake the Sheeple!](http://xkcd.com/1013/) Why have I never seen that one before? If it’s not classic, it should be. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653/60 "2012-06-29T23:02:22Z")
> [@newcomer](#): > > I lost interest in the other thread but this thread OP has an interesting claim that bears repeating and everyone, as predicted by the claim itself, goes of the rails on something totally different and insignificant. Because it’s probably easier. However, I’ll copy-paste it again and request comment on it: > > I’d be also interested to see what Americans vs. non-Americans think of it. No, I doubt there is anything psychologically unusual in Americans that leads us to reject conspiracy theories. To the contrary, there is something psychological, or, rather, cultural in Americans that leads us to **believe** conspiracy theories. There are many instances in American history of vast numbers believing in British plots, French plots (associated with Thomas Jefferson), bankers’ plots (associated with the First and Second Banks of the United States and the Free Silver movement and many other instances), capitalist/ruling-class plots generally (Bohemian Grove, NWO), Jewish plots, Communist plots, Jihadist plots, U.S. Government plots, etc., etc. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-derisive-condenscending-anti-conspiriacy-merged-threads/626653.md?page=4)