Some just want to promote conflict, cause chaos, or even just get attention.

Some just want to promote conflict, cause chaos, or even just get attention.

There has been a lot of research on the types of people who believe conspiracy theories, and their reasons for doing so. But there’s a wrinkle: My colleagues and I have found that there are a number of people sharing conspiracies online who don’t believe their own content.

They are opportunists. These people share conspiracy theories to promote conflict, cause chaos, recruit and radicalize potential followers, make money, harass, or even just to get attention.

There are several types of this sort of conspiracy-spreader trying to influence you.

  • sunzu2
    -3•3 months ago

    Owners of the US have fake news run propaganda that has no basis in fact. Do you hold these people as accountable the same way you are doing here with some random Neo nazis farming twattrr for cash?

    • @[email protected]
      11•3 months ago

      Owners of the US have fake news run propaganda that has no basis in fact.

      Generalizing this far is not rational or productive. There are varying degrees of quality in US media with varying problems within. Zooming out this far isn’t productive. Might as well go further and say “people lie, therefore nothing can be trusted”. Sounds deep, but is just a futile meaningless statement. Most problems with news media stem from distortions of fact, but obviously do have some basis in fact so right off the bat your premise is faulty.

      Do you hold these people as accountable

      If you’re asking whether I hold media accountable for lying or for bad reporting (no, they are the same. If you can tell the difference that’s on you), then yes I do.

      You’re now far off topic. Spreading baseless conspiracy theories constantly and having some of them be sort of adjacent to the truth isn’t a vindication. It doesnt mean you were right to say what you said.

        • @[email protected]
          9•3 months ago

          You guys always prove to be completely incapable of rational thought. It’s why the article triggered you so much.

          • sunzu2
            -5•3 months ago

            i explained my position. you offered nothing to rebut tbh

            • @[email protected]
              4•3 months ago

              You explained nothing. I clearly answered your one trivial question and you have no follow up lol.

              • sunzu2
                0•3 months ago

                There are varying degrees of quality in US media with varying problems within.

                If you think this, you don’t understand the media and the role it plays within the regime.

                • @[email protected]
                  4•3 months ago

                  If you think this, you don’t understand the media and the role it plays within the regime.

                  …? Was there any argument in there somewhere? It’s barely an assertion. As expected, even on an anonymous forum without any consequences you’re still unable to actually assert a rational position and back it up lol. Do you think maybe that’s because you’re full of shit?

                  • sunzu2
                    1•3 months ago

                    1. Topic brought up bad faith actor spreading bad info

                    2. I posited that entire media eco system behaves this way but we society turn a blind eye

                    3. We had an exchange on what I meant by this, with you highlighting that “media” is varying and explaining away how media behavior is not the same. Essentially creating dichotomy “media is ok” but these rando’s are the enemy. You did not provide facts to turn my opinion though. My position is that you are still working within the standard politics framework… muhh team good/right, other team bad. I fundamentally disagree with this approach. I can’t change your mind and that’s fine. I think readers had a decent exchange to read.

                    4. you proceed to engage with a bit of charge which cool by me… but i would want he key issue addressed. Why does main stream media gets a pass for this from avg person?

                    5. I would posit that the media and idiots on twitter are prolly funded by the same bad faith actors, well a soup of them from different sides. But what they are not funded by is avg people.