I can't stand conspiratorial thinking

[misanthrope]

I'm a firm believer in Hanlon's Razor, that you should never attribute malice where incompetence will suffice. I also know it is incredibly hard to keep things secret, especially if the number of people involved grows. Sooner or later, something comes to light. It did for CIA involvement in drug epidemics. It did for fossil fuel industries' aims to discredit climate science.

That said, it's hard not to buy in on fears regarding market manipulation to serve political aims. When you see GOP politicos undertake actions with the obvious effect of driving up inflation, or stressing consumers in other ways, it's hard to avoid giving in to conspiracy belief. It gets even more difficult when you see how financial markets are tossed on the whims of speculation, a highly subjective force that can't help but fall prey to personal biases.

So how do others keep the dragons of conspiratorial suspicions at bay?

[Shermann]

1. The conspiracy theory is a painting covered with a tarp

The conspiracist will reveal one corner of the painting, then maybe a second. The entire painting is never revealed.

The audience will fill in the rest of the painting in their mind. The fact that they filled in the missing details themselves makes it all the more credible to them.

I demand the conspiracist removes the tarp and connects all the dots for us in full sunlight.

[Beastly Boy]

2. There is one reply that is poison to conspiracy theories.

"I don't know".

Virtually all conspiracy theories begin with perceptions not based on facts. Then these fact-free perceptions, repeated often enough, take a life of their own as an acceptable, and accepted, substitute for facts. A favorite argument of a conspiracy theorist, no matter the subject is to ask "how how you know it (whatever the "it" might be) is not true"? Well, since conspiracy theories are commonly not based on facts, the obvious answer in most cases is, I don't know. Even though it is not likely to affect an ardent conspiracy theorist, it will give pause to a person who wishes to keep the dragons of conspiratorial suspicions at bay.

To not know what's going on is uncomfortable and scary. Admitting ignorance may be harmful to self-esteem. To learn facts takes time and patience, and in a culture of instant gratification it's a hard discipline to stick to. But absent facts, "I don't know" is an honest answer. Once these words are uttered, honesty becomes a shield against fear, discomfort and pride.

[Novara]

5. "Admitting ignorance may be harmful to self-esteem."

Too many people are wedded to this. Admitting ignorance gives you the chance to learn something. And it shows you as human. It shows character. Too bad people's egos always get in the way. When I say, "I don't know. Let's find out," I find people react very positively. Same thing with, "I'm sorry; I screwed up. Let me fix it."

As for the original question about what do I do? Use critical thinking. If it sounds too fantastical to believe, it likely is.

[Beastly Boy]

6. +1

Only my skepticism of a typical conspiracy theorist's desire to open up to the unknown prevents me from agreeing with you 100%

[taxi]

3. Keeping the dragons at bay. Sometimes they aren't at bay.

What good is a dog that don't hunt is sometimes asked. Conspiracy between people on a message board to generate good posts isn't malice or incompetence. A conspiracy with nothing more than its objective is useless. But that's not what you asked. That dragon don't hunt. How long it takes to slay a dragon depends on its life cycle, the same mosquito won't bite you next week but the same dragon might so one size doesn't fit all. If the dragon smells like smoke he's an adult. I heard they're looking at making a national conspiracy day. It will be celebrated twice a year on the anniversary of each impeachment.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. Keep yourself informed.

That's the best way.

Also, be highly skeptical of things you see on the internet and fact-check frequently.

[Hortensis]

7. I don't, Mis. Some conspiracies are not only appallingly real but obvious,

elements of their final stages having to come out into the open. Informing oneself means learning more about them and how we need to vote to stop them.

As for irrational paranoia and conspiracism, I don't have that problem. I'm more prone to optimism and thinking people are, if anything, better and more trustworthy than they are.

But in any case, a simple check of information for (usually unexciting and complex) truths will rule virtually all that out -- for those capable of it and/or willing to forego more titillating invitations to self-induced idiocy.

[misanthrope]

8. I noticed the few who replied

didn't really address what was written in the second paragraph. Is it just me or does it seem as if economics are subjected to political forces beyond what should be reasonable? I hate fostering those feelings as economic systems should be too complex for it.