This came up in the show, and I think it's worth pointing out. There are a quite a few popular, persistent conspiracy theories that, sadly, are actually sound and have at least some merit to them. Then there are a few that I am certain are 100% manufactured and seeded into the population. These are:
1. Flat earth;
2. Birds aren't real (this one didn't really catch on);
3. Viruses aren't real (sadly this did catch on).
Flat earth, in particular, is especially suspicious because it rolled out, simultaneously, across a number of different dissident spaces on the internet, like a campaign—0 to 60 in an instant.
My theory: flat earth is AI-assisted disinformation designed to accomplish a few goals:
1. See how many people you can get to believe an exotic thing that isn't true;
2. Cultivate and network a large number of "marks" that demonstrably suggestible, for use in a future program; and
3. Establish a "madness of crowds" type phenomenon you can point to as an analog to other kinds of "science denialism."
As the public is force-fed more bullshit, you're going to have more people peeling off and becoming skeptical of orthodoxy. Many people actually become *more* suggestible when their core, axiomatic beliefs dissolve underneath them—not less. This provides fresh opportunities for the next generation of grifters and demagogues.
If you look through the flat Earth material, and the viruses don't exist material, it is really slick. It's all very complex, sophisticated, detailed, and has the appearance of genuine scientific endeavor. If more of these campaigns roll out, it will become even harder to dissuade true believers in things like climate change because they'll encounter more (para)logical argumentation and come to assume that one can make a really solid argument for anything.
Like I said, I strongly suspect the No Virus / Flat Earth stuff is AI-assisted and that we're going to start seeing a lot more AI-assisted argumentation on the Internet. But this is just an intuition and I don't have any hard evidence to support it.
“Contempt” is exactly the right word for this kind of anger. It’s not resentment, which implies there is a legitimate victim with a justified response. There is no victim here. What there *is* is a whole lot of dehumanizing hate directed at people who somehow embody things that these narcissistic crybabies think should be *theirs.*
I mean, does that not just sum up the motivations of the “gender identity” movement?
That guy with the hat? Pure, unfiltered contempt. The only other emotion he likely felt was excitement over the opportunity to waste everyone’s time with his condescending bullshit.
Thanks for sharing your anecdote about your elementary school education on the dangers of “eggs.” Many state legislatures continue to mandate AIDS-HIV training for fourth graders (though thankfully in Red states many school districts notify parents and allow them to opt out). Imagine having your first discussion of romance or sexuality from an apparent official tinged with the mysterious phantom of death! They certainly do not give the true statistics or risks but just scare school children needlessly. Everywhere these people make it so we “choke on the smoke” while obfuscating the truth and making us walk on eggshells in their Cluster B domains.
I also love your framing of these individuals and environments in terms of “Cluster B.” It is much more specific and presents symptoms that laypersons can identify. I believe it is more effective than calling them the “loony left” or “crazy.” When you go down the line of symptoms of Cluster B, you can see the familiarities. Thank you for your wonderful show! It’s hilarious and insightful.
It's the entire point of the show. I want anyone who will listen to learn what I learned about Cluster B. It matters. "They're just crazy" helps no one, and solves no problems.
What used to be "domestic" abuse---Cluster B is the mind of the domestic abuser--is now public, and validated, and celebrated.
That's the connection I want people to be able to make.
You’ve succeeded! I now use that framework with friends or somewhat neutral parties. It’s also good for those who think they’re very educated (haha) as it seems more scientific or technical!
This came up in the show, and I think it's worth pointing out. There are a quite a few popular, persistent conspiracy theories that, sadly, are actually sound and have at least some merit to them. Then there are a few that I am certain are 100% manufactured and seeded into the population. These are:
1. Flat earth;
2. Birds aren't real (this one didn't really catch on);
3. Viruses aren't real (sadly this did catch on).
Flat earth, in particular, is especially suspicious because it rolled out, simultaneously, across a number of different dissident spaces on the internet, like a campaign—0 to 60 in an instant.
My theory: flat earth is AI-assisted disinformation designed to accomplish a few goals:
1. See how many people you can get to believe an exotic thing that isn't true;
2. Cultivate and network a large number of "marks" that demonstrably suggestible, for use in a future program; and
3. Establish a "madness of crowds" type phenomenon you can point to as an analog to other kinds of "science denialism."
As the public is force-fed more bullshit, you're going to have more people peeling off and becoming skeptical of orthodoxy. Many people actually become *more* suggestible when their core, axiomatic beliefs dissolve underneath them—not less. This provides fresh opportunities for the next generation of grifters and demagogues.
If you look through the flat Earth material, and the viruses don't exist material, it is really slick. It's all very complex, sophisticated, detailed, and has the appearance of genuine scientific endeavor. If more of these campaigns roll out, it will become even harder to dissuade true believers in things like climate change because they'll encounter more (para)logical argumentation and come to assume that one can make a really solid argument for anything.
Like I said, I strongly suspect the No Virus / Flat Earth stuff is AI-assisted and that we're going to start seeing a lot more AI-assisted argumentation on the Internet. But this is just an intuition and I don't have any hard evidence to support it.
“Contempt” is exactly the right word for this kind of anger. It’s not resentment, which implies there is a legitimate victim with a justified response. There is no victim here. What there *is* is a whole lot of dehumanizing hate directed at people who somehow embody things that these narcissistic crybabies think should be *theirs.*
I mean, does that not just sum up the motivations of the “gender identity” movement?
That guy with the hat? Pure, unfiltered contempt. The only other emotion he likely felt was excitement over the opportunity to waste everyone’s time with his condescending bullshit.
Thanks for sharing your anecdote about your elementary school education on the dangers of “eggs.” Many state legislatures continue to mandate AIDS-HIV training for fourth graders (though thankfully in Red states many school districts notify parents and allow them to opt out). Imagine having your first discussion of romance or sexuality from an apparent official tinged with the mysterious phantom of death! They certainly do not give the true statistics or risks but just scare school children needlessly. Everywhere these people make it so we “choke on the smoke” while obfuscating the truth and making us walk on eggshells in their Cluster B domains.
I also love your framing of these individuals and environments in terms of “Cluster B.” It is much more specific and presents symptoms that laypersons can identify. I believe it is more effective than calling them the “loony left” or “crazy.” When you go down the line of symptoms of Cluster B, you can see the familiarities. Thank you for your wonderful show! It’s hilarious and insightful.
The "operating system" so to speak of the "progressive" left is Cluster B dynamics.
It's the entire point of the show. I want anyone who will listen to learn what I learned about Cluster B. It matters. "They're just crazy" helps no one, and solves no problems.
What used to be "domestic" abuse---Cluster B is the mind of the domestic abuser--is now public, and validated, and celebrated.
That's the connection I want people to be able to make.
I’ve been saying that for years now! My husband doesn’t call it cluster B tho, but cluster F.
You’ve succeeded! I now use that framework with friends or somewhat neutral parties. It’s also good for those who think they’re very educated (haha) as it seems more scientific or technical!
Why are old liberal women so homely?
This lady is pathetic. She is certifiably mentally ill.