I'm absolutely sure I'm late to the party here, but something just clicked for me about conspiracy theory mindset.
Specifically, I've been thinking about all of these election conspiracy theories pumped out by Trump and his supporters.
And so on.
And I start to think. What happens when "soon" passes and nothing comes of it. Won't the people be dissappointed and turn against them? Isn't lying about "soon" a terrible tactic, because you would lose trust when you didn't deliver.
But then of course, looking back over Trump's term and time in the spotlight.
And on and on and on.And the same from his supporters self constructed theories. Sometimes it's more than soon. Sometimes it's a specific time frame that comes and goes without the promised result.
Now of course, Trump is not unique for being a politician who doesn't deliver. But the frequency and specificity and confidence in the promises, paired with how far they're divorced from reality is just something else. And his support stays so ardent.
I asked myself, who could take being promised "soon" with a lie over and over and over and still line up with faith? Why does Charlie Brown keep lining up to kick the football Lucy is holding when she pulls it away every time?
The messiah is coming soon.
Jesus was coming back soon 2000 years ago. Every generation since then has been sure it's just about to happen. (Sure, this doesn't apply to every Christian, but there's no shortage of those that hold this).
The lubavitcher jews are certain the messiah will come any moment now.
There is a deep religious mindset hat seems immune to a failed prediction or a broken promise.
Specifically, I've been thinking about all of these election conspiracy theories pumped out by Trump and his supporters.
- The ballots were secretly watermarked in a sting operation. Trump will spring the trap and arrest the fraudsters soon.
- We have all of the damning witnesses who can provide proof they saw voting fraud. Thir evidence will be revealed soon.
And so on.
And I start to think. What happens when "soon" passes and nothing comes of it. Won't the people be dissappointed and turn against them? Isn't lying about "soon" a terrible tactic, because you would lose trust when you didn't deliver.
But then of course, looking back over Trump's term and time in the spotlight.
- Healthcare plan that preserves pre-existing conditions, better than ACA. Soon!
- We'll build that wall! Soon!
- I'll release my taxes. Soon!
- We're going to put the pedophile Clintons in jail. Soon!
- We're going to release damning proof Obama was born in Kenya. Soon!
And on and on and on.And the same from his supporters self constructed theories. Sometimes it's more than soon. Sometimes it's a specific time frame that comes and goes without the promised result.
Now of course, Trump is not unique for being a politician who doesn't deliver. But the frequency and specificity and confidence in the promises, paired with how far they're divorced from reality is just something else. And his support stays so ardent.
I asked myself, who could take being promised "soon" with a lie over and over and over and still line up with faith? Why does Charlie Brown keep lining up to kick the football Lucy is holding when she pulls it away every time?
The messiah is coming soon.
Jesus was coming back soon 2000 years ago. Every generation since then has been sure it's just about to happen. (Sure, this doesn't apply to every Christian, but there's no shortage of those that hold this).
The lubavitcher jews are certain the messiah will come any moment now.
There is a deep religious mindset hat seems immune to a failed prediction or a broken promise.
via International Skeptics Forum https://ift.tt/3pjTRj7
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