### Author:  [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/41 "2012-08-31T14:00:06Z")
> [@Steken](#):
>
> Not attacking you. Arguing against you.
>
> Now that’s just… Well. We’re in Great Debates. I’ll hold my tongue.
I thought that he was joking - as in implying there was a conspiracy involved…
---
### Author:  [@Freakenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freakenstein)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/42 "2012-08-31T14:13:43Z")
> [@Colophon](#):
>
> …written in yellow Comic Sans on a black starry background
I’ve never understood this hatred for Comic Sans. Now **this** is a conspiracy.
> [@Khadaji](#):
>
> I thought that he was joking - as in implying there was a conspiracy involved…
Poe’s Law in action…
Yes, I was joking, but the fact remains, **FinnAgain** is a slur against Finns ( I’m sure it’s not intended, but echoing FinnAgain’s meltdown in that ‘racist KFC ad in Australia’-thread, it doesn’t matter if he knew it, it’s still just as bad ).
Not that I really care…
---
### Author:  [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/43 "2012-08-31T14:17:37Z")
> [@Freakenstein](#):
>
> Poe’s Law in action…
> Yes, I was joking, but the fact remains, **FinnAgain** is a slur against Finns ( I’m sure it’s not intended, but echoing FinnAgain’s meltdown in that ‘racist KFC ad in Australia’-thread, it doesn’t matter if he knew it, it’s still just as bad ).
Aw shit, sorry about that then. Poe’s Law indeed.
Still don’t get how using the word Finn is a slur against Finns, though.
(Had it been “finnjävlar”, however…)
---
### Author:  [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/44 "2012-08-31T14:19:58Z")
> [@Freakenstein](#):
>
> Yes, I was joking, but the fact remains, **FinnAgain** is a slur against Finns ( I’m sure it’s not intended, but echoing FinnAgain’s meltdown in that ‘racist KFC ad in Australia’-thread, it doesn’t matter if he knew it, it’s still just as bad ).
We’re getting off topic, but for reference: the username is a reference to _Finnegan’s Wake_ by Joyce, and I could not find any evidence online that the name is a slur against Finnish people.
---
### Author:  [@Freakenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freakenstein)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/45 "2012-08-31T15:58:37Z")
FinnAgain resembles a Swedish phrase ‘En Finne igen’ ( meaning ’ A Finn again’ ) that’s been widely used at least from the 1930’s.
In Sweden Finns are thought to be drunks and brawlers, so whenever there’s a fight or drunks ( or even better, both ), Swedes always say ‘A Finn again’ ( notwithstanding who those people actually were ).
End of hijack.
---
### Author:  [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/46 "2012-08-31T16:07:52Z")
> [@Khadaji](#):
>
> Ah now I see the disconnect. I had missed that this was in GD and was just socializing. I apologize.
>
> And you are right. I was \*never \*making a point about why anybody should give CTers a fair hearing. I was simply relating an anecdote.
>
> ( **I don’t go to the threads forum by forum, but instead just get the list of latest threads.** )
\
I have made that same mistake myself and for the same reason.
Maybe that makes you feel better… (heh) or considering the provenance, perhaps not.
---
### Author:  [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/47 "2012-08-31T16:11:02Z")
> [@Freakenstein](#):
>
> FinnAgain resembles a Swedish phrase ‘En Finne igen’ ( meaning ’ A Finn again’ ) that’s been widely used at least from the 1930’s.
> In Sweden Finns are thought to be drunks and brawlers, so whenever there’s a fight or drunks ( or even better, both ), Swedes always say ‘A Finn again’ ( notwithstanding who those people actually were ).
>
> End of hijack.
:dubious:
Where in Sweden, exactly? I’ve lived in Linköping, Lund, Malmö, Helsingborg and Visby, plus spent plenty of time in both Göteborg and Stockholm, and I have never – and I mean _never_ – heard that expression.
And in any case, “FinnAgain” and “En Finne igen” (although, you know, in actual Swedish the word “Finne” wouldn’t be capitalized, but OK, I’ll play along here) aren’t the same thing. At all.
But OK, seriously now: Super-duper final hijack for realsies this time.
---
### Author:  [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/48 "2012-08-31T16:22:17Z")
Wow!
OK, I know it is a hijack, but I NEVER put those two things together before.
Especially, the “it’s a Finn again” slur.
But, I am just a Merikun.
---
### Author:  [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/49 "2012-08-31T16:25:36Z")
It seems to me that Conspiracy Theories arise basically just confirmation bias gone wild. Afterall, the human brain is amazing at finding patterns and can even find patterns that are not really there. For instance, I remember reading about a study where people would see pictures of random static and with a little bit of suggestion that it wasn’t so random that there’s really some sort of picture in there, people were likely to see that “picture”. Worse, even if that person is told that it’s just random noise, they can’t just unsee it anymore.
On top of that, humans are decidely irrational. Consider how many logical fallacies there are and how commonly they’re used to effectively influence our thought processes. For instance, how many commercials mention how popular their product is? There’s a lot of these sorts of thought processes that go on in our heads because they served us well evolutionarily, as with that logical fallacy, following the crowd would tend to help us survive. A lot of conspiracy theories, typically unwittingly I’d hope, will take take advantage of this.
To a certain extent, we all have some irrational beliefs that we’ll hold to even against some more compelling evidence to the contrary. Sure, a lot of those sorts of things will tend to be harmless, like thinking some guy is the greatest musican/actor/athlete ever, when he’s not. But I don’t think it’s really that difficult to see how it can get out of control quickly. Like with Truthers, they’re people who were already predisposed to strongly distrusting the government, so they were more likely to accept evidence that relies on the government lying, conspiring, and covering up. Even for truthers, I’ve met some who go all out with the documentaries and the research, as well as some who just think it’s more likely than, from a purely logical perspective, the supporting evidence would indicate.
And, it really seems to me the same sort of phenomenon as extremely strong religious/anti-religious beliefs, or extremely strong political beliefs. There’s plenty of people who will have beliefs in there but aren’t going to go nuts about it, but are also unlikely to change their positions even with strong evidence to the contrary. And there’s also plenty who are so extreme that they’re convinced that the other side are evil and or ignorant. They all seem to just be victims logical fallacy and confirmation bias.
---
### Author:  [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/50 "2012-08-31T16:34:42Z")
[QUOTE=SenorBeef]
…instead all you see is people who will accept any conspiracy theory you throw into them, no matter how ridiculous, even if it conflicts with one of their existing conspiracy theory beliefs.
[/QUOTE]
This has to be the weirdest aspect. I know (knew) a guy who 1) Thought the moon landings were faked and 2) that NASA suppressed Apollo astronauts’ reports of UFO sightings.
Needless to say he also believes in ancient aliens, the face on Mars, UFO making crop circles, Freemasons running the world, except the bits run by aliens or the Knights Templars or…
Argh!
---
### Author:  [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/51 "2012-08-31T16:56:43Z")
> [@Chief\_Pedant](#):
>
> I am not a shrink, but it is my personal observation that most conspiracy theorists fall into the DSM IV spectrum of paranoia.
Ok, this is true. I said not all of them are mentally ill and I stand by that, but many are certainly paranoid.
---
### Author:  [@jayrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayrey)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/52 "2012-08-31T18:14:40Z")
I have some first-hand knowledge about how at least one conspiracy theorist thinks, having lived with him.
Being “in the know” is definitely a strong attraction for him, as is the idea that he is not “one of the sheep.” His CT thinking and activities (endless, repetitive postings on FB supporting his chosen theory and debating debunkers) also give him a sense of purpose in an otherwise pretty directionless life. He says he feels it is his “mission” to “wake people up” to what is happening. Certainly, it is more comfortable for him to think about the perceived Big Looming Problem in America than actually deal with the messier details of real life, like creditors or finding a better job.
What confused me early on was how an intelligent person could come to believe this nonsense. How does your life get hijacked like that? His story shed a little light on that: Raised by an abusive father (Mom was long gone), at the age of 15, he ran away from home. He speaks with great fondness, almost reverence, of the group of people he fell in with on the road, who “opened his eyes to the truth of what was happening in this country.” In other words, a lost boy, with no critical thinking skills, wanting to belong and having no other adult role models, adopted wholesale the philosophy of a groups of bikers, societal cast-offs and misfits who felt victimized and/or marginalized and needed someone to blame other than themselves. (Frankly, that’s not so unlike how most people come to thelr religious beliefs: they adopt what their family teaches them. And, IMHO, most religions have CT-esque qualities about them, but I won’t go there.)
What I’ve learned is, at least in this man’s case, his beliefs are harmless to me and others. Outside of his CT box, he is kind and thoughtful, helpful and well-meaning. He has many of the attributes of a good Boy Scout: clean, thrifty, reverent, brave . . . His obsession is odd, yes. But, in reality, I find it less irritating than my ex-husband’s unabated daily, day-long worship at the altar of ESPN (and ESPN 2 and ESPN Classic and the Golf Channel . . .).
Is my friend good husband or long term mate material? Not as long as he refuses to deal with the real life issues he needs to address. Is he an amusing companion and comfortable roommate? You bet. Is he ever going to change? No way. Is he mentally ill? No, just a little off-balance, like the rest of us.
---
### Author:  [@Freakenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freakenstein)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/53 "2012-08-31T19:03:00Z")
> [@Steken](#):
>
> Where in Sweden, exactly? I’ve lived in Linköping, Lund, Malmö, Helsingborg and Visby, plus spent plenty of time in both Göteborg and Stockholm, and I have never – and I mean _never_ – heard that expression.
East Sweden I should imagine, Stockholm, Uppsala etc. But I guess it’s wearing out then and You’re probably under thirty. There were two big migration waves, latter in the sixties and those people are by now assimilated. I’m sure older Swedes that You know have heard and even used it.
> [@](#):
>
> And in any case, “FinnAgain” and “En Finne igen” (although, you know, in actual Swedish the word “Finne” wouldn’t be capitalized, but OK, I’ll play along here) aren’t the same thing. At all.
Varför inte? Min svenska är dålig ( man kan säga att de är hemsk ), men jag förstår någonting och jag se ingenting fel i där. ( jag gjorde den här texten utan en ordbok, så förlåt mig om allt i här är inte rätt, men du förstår vad jag menar )
I believe the username is just a coincidence, but good luck trying to convince a conspiracy theorist that there’s nothing sinister behind it and that Finnegan’s Wake isn’t just an alibi.
Personally I’m not offended at all and I don’t know here anyone who would be. More or less guys here are sort of proud of that reputation ( the world feared vikings, but the vikings fear Us! ) - of course in Sweden in the sixties it was different thing.
End of hijack…
---
### Author:  [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/54 "2012-08-31T20:06:04Z")
> [@Gagundathar](#):
>
> \
>
> I have made that same mistake myself and for the same reason.
>
> Maybe that makes you feel better… (heh) or considering the provenance, perhaps not.
😃
I’m _usually_ better about such things… but \*every \*once in a while…
my mistake this time!
---
### Author:  [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/55 "2012-08-31T20:12:26Z")
> [@Freakenstein](#):
>
> Varför inte? Min svenska är dålig ( man kan säga att de är hemsk ), men jag förstår någonting och jag se ingenting fel i där. ( jag gjorde den här texten utan en ordbok, så förlåt mig om allt i här är inte rätt, men du förstår vad jag menar )
Translated:
> [@](#):
>
> Why not? My Swedish is bad (you can say that they are horrible), but I understand something and I see nothing wrong in there. (I made this text without a dictionary, so forgive me if everything in here is not right, but you know what I mean)
---
### Author:  [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/56 "2012-08-31T20:34:31Z")
And on a side-note, my neighbor told me in June that he wasn’t going to be in his house in a week or two. Thinking he was moving I said “Oh, are you moving?”.
He said “No, the rapture”.
Everytime I see him mowing his yard I resist the urge to yell “How’s that rapture going for you?”.
😃
---
### Author:  [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/57 "2012-08-31T20:55:30Z")
> [@Freakenstein](#):
>
> Finnegan’s Wake isn’t just an alibi
My name is a direct quote from _Finnegans Wake_ with only the capitalization of the A changed, actually. And one of my closer friends for the last half a decade or so is a native Swede, and he’s never mentioned a thing about “FinnAgain” being some sort of slur, and that’s the handle I use in online discussions. He’s also well over 30.
Of course, as you’re imagining a “meltdown” in a thread that’s two years old, I have to admire your drive over the last day or so to read through hundreds upon hundreds of my posts from the past several years, combing through them for references to offensiveness and fried chicken, one assumes, until you found what you were looking for in a thread from the first month of 2010. Odd for a 2012’er who joined a couple months ago, but I must just be that awesome.
---
### Author:  [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/58 "2012-08-31T21:11:08Z")
And with that, this tangent is _really_ finished. The “meltdown” comment was unnecessary, and so was the intimation of socking.
---
### Author:  [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/59 "2012-08-31T23:09:54Z")
As others have said, it basically boils down to three things:
1. Arrogance (I’m smarter than all of you people who follow along like sheep)
2. Lack of Knowledge (I don’t know all of the physics about how to land a man on the moon, so I pretend to understand it all by saying it didn’t happen)
3. Fear of Chaos (It’s unsettling to me that one moron can kill the President. Therefore, it must be a powerful cabal who kills the President. Although, this is bad, at least it takes power to take down power. It can’t be done by random lunacy).
---
### Author:  [@black\_aspirin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_aspirin)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2012, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truthers-and-conspiracy-theorists/633174/60 "2012-08-31T23:36:11Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#):
>
> There are 2 major psychological drives behind believing in conspiracy theories.
>
> The first one is that you get to be in on a secret that gives you a leg up on everyone else. You’re so unique and smart that you see how things really are, not like the miserable idiot sheep that surround you. You really understand how the world works, you know what’s up. Pat yourself on the back.
>
> The second one is a desire to find meaning and control in the universe. The idea that shit happens - that life and the universe and meaningless and indifferent to you and the world is deeply uncomfortable to a lot of people.
>
> To take the Kennedy assassination for example - the world was just previously on the brink of nuclear war. There’s a game of brinksmanship played at the very highest level by a few people. The entire future of the human race is at stake. The idea that one lone nut with a rifle could fundamentally alter such a huge stakes game is deeply uncomfortable for a lot of people.
>
> It shakes any notion that there’s a greater force directing and controlling the world - the religious put god in this position, and some conspiracy theorist assume it’s a smokey backroom filled with the people who really run the world (or maybe lizard people). But the idea that one nut changed the world in an instant is deeply uncomfortable. So they invent a giant, vast conspiracy directed by the people who are really in charge in order to give the world meaning - an event which shakes the world so much must have a grand plan by powerful, shadowy elites behind it rather than a lone nut.
>
> **But it’s essentially true that the same stuff that allows you to buy into one conspiracy essentially makes you buy into all of them. If there were real substance behind one or several conspiracies, you’d think there’d be people who say “look, I know lizard people don’t exist and that 9/11 really was just some terrorists, but [insert conspiracy theory here] really has some evidence for it” - but instead all you see is people who will accept any conspiracy theory you throw into them, no matter how ridiculous, even if it conflicts with one of their existing conspiracy theory beliefs.**
I agree with the whole post, but I bolded the part that fascinates me the most. CT’s are much like religious converts, who underwent some ‘flick of the switch’ where they saw conspiracy in a particular event, and it felt illuminating…and then they start to see the whole world through that one lens. As you mentioned, they have been given ‘secret knowledge’. And once that seed is planted, that things aren’t always as they seem (something that is always worth keeping in mind)…they start to become purely reactionary, and assume that things are NEVER as they seem, and are indeed almost the opposite. And so they come up with explanations that are far more convoluted and complex than the (real) one that will suffice…and any attempt to persuade them otherwise usually just makes them dig in their heels even harder, and convinces them that they’re even more keenly informed.
I have asked around before, hoping that someone had done some serious work on the psychology of CT’s. I would love to see a really in-depth analysis on the phenomenon…ever since the internet, I think it has really taken off like a rocket that we built by reverse-engineering UFO’s that we keep stashed in Area 51. I hope I haven’t said too much?
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