FACT FOCUS: Unfounded theory by a quack named Robert Malone used to dismiss COVID measures

[CousinIT]

https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-joe-rogan-ap-fact-check-a87b1044c6256968dcc33886a36c949f

An unfounded theory taking root online suggests millions of people have been “hypnotized” into believing mainstream ideas about COVID-19, including steps to combat it such as testing and vaccination.

In widely shared social media posts this week, efforts to combat the disease have been dismissed with just three words: “mass formation psychosis.”

. . .

The term gained attention after it was floated by Dr. Robert Malone on “The Joe Rogan Experience” Dec. 31 podcast. Malone is a scientist who once researched mRNA technology but is now a vocal skeptic of the COVID-19 vaccines that use it.

But psychology experts say the concept described by Malone is not supported by evidence, and is similar to theories that have long been discredited. Here’s a look at the facts.

CLAIM: The concept of “mass formation psychosis” explains why millions of people believe in a mainstream COVID-19 “narrative” and trust the safety and efficacy of the vaccines.

THE FACTS: Malone highlighted the unfounded theory on a podcast hosted by comedian and commentator Joe Rogan. During the episode, Malone cast doubt on COVID-19 vaccine safety and claimed the mass psychosis has resulted in a “third of the population basically being hypnotized” into believing what Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, and mainstream news outlets say.

. . .

Psychology experts say there is no support for the “psychosis” theory described by Malone.

[Takket]

1. the theory has some legs, he just applied it to the wrong 1/3 of the country

if a psychosis develops it isn't from putting your trust in experts in data, but rather assuming "well they are saying such and such a thing, and Democrats say to trust them, so they must be lying because that doesn't fit my tribal narrative of life"

[FakeNoose]

2. They should do a study on Faux Noise viewers

I'll bet there's a lot of hypnosis going on. Mass formation psychosis would be a breeze for them.

[gratuitous]

3. Spend one-tenth the energy on making things better

How much energy does it take for these assholes to come up with these stone-brained assertions? Just a tenth of that energy spent doing something useful would markedly improve things. Dr. Malone, you're stupid, selfish and making things worse.