What's the difference between a Conspiracy Theorist and a Conspiracy Scholar?
Submitted by Ralph Waldo on Fri, 03/05/2010 - 08:10
As we continue to see how much words, terms and labels matter, it might be productive consider the difference between these two terms.
In my mind, a conspiracy theorist has an opinion based on hearsay and a little knowledge, whereas a conspiracy scholar has spent a great deal time studying the topic.
Therefore, Richard Gage is a professional in his field and a conspiracy scholar, and Glenn Beck is a - ummmmm, whatever he is!
We all know what the CT's have become
But here's a conspiracy expert.
Like any good expert he makes the doubters and cover-up artists look like holes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxGB2YoGV-I&feature=player_em...
"GINO" = Government In Name Only
Hmmm....
One has a PhD in nutjobbery and the other is probably in desperate need of dental care?
The Philosophy Of Liberty -
http://www.jonathangullible.com/mmedia/PoL.English.The.Philo...
I think that for our sake
the less we talk about conspiracies the better. The MSM uses it all the time to make Ron Paul supporters and Tea Party folks look like fringe lunatics. Even 'conservative' Hannity is using it against Medina. I believe there are legit. conspiracies but it makes us look really bad to keep talking about them.
The Issue is Liberty!!!
Every OTHER subject, especially things that should be considered as criminal investigations and pursued as such, including 9/11, are distractions.
The real problem is that few understand Liberty. I see more and more of this every day here on DP. Partly this is good because it indicates that new people are joining us. But they need to learn, not try to dominate the discussion.
If you want to deal with 9/11, etc, do first hand research and pursue it in the courts. Don't clutter a forum for the understanding of Liberty with the latest rumors about whether the beams were cut, and how, etc. I'll be blunt. I do not believe the "official" version, any of them, nor do I believe the trash that is often promoted as 9/11 "truth", which is mostly rumors.
The real issue is to educate as many people as possible about Liberty. Blathering about 9/11, etc, is wasting what precious little time we have to do the job.
More than likely talking to people about 9/11 makes you look whacked, because they trust the govt, not you. THIS IS WHY BECK et al USE IT!! If someone understands Liberty, they do not trust unconstitutional govt.
Talk to people about LIBERTY, and get them to understand that they are a lot more capable of solving their own problems than the government, in fact looking at Obamacare and all the other tyrannical bills, should make it clear that the govt is here not to solve, but to create, problems - this should open doors for most people.
Want to win? Talk about Liberty.
Want to lose? Talk about 9/11.
Agreed
No more discussions about things the media considers "kooky".
Ba haa haa ha! That's too funny. You crack me up..
Nothing they still have the
Nothing they still have the same derogatory implications. The MSM has conspired to redefine the word conspiracy has a slander word. I prefer the word investigator, ie Niels Harrit is a Scientific Investigator, Richard Gage is a Architectural Investigator. Both who have come up with sound evidence that should be presented to a court.
www.memewatchers.com
Whichever one gives me a headache-
give me that label!
My thoughts on conspiracy theory
I define "conspiracy" as 2 or more people planning to commit a crime. I think that is probably something close to the legal definition as well. In Law Enforcement, officers often come up with "theories" regarding how a crime was committed. They then investigate to find the evidence that proves their theory, implicates the accused, and will convince a jury.
If citizens wish to expose criminal activities and they reasonably believe they have the evidence to prove their complaint, should they not be allowed their right of redress? Or should they instead become labeled, targeted, insulted, and demonized? Whats next? Persecution? This story sounds all too familiar.... I think trains, buses, and razor wire come next. Get where I'm going here? We aren't beyond that as history shows, but we can be better than that.
I don't care if you're a libertarian, a constitutionalist, a patriot, a republican, or a truther.
You like Ron Paul?
COOL! Me Too! :)
Nice to meet ya!
Welcome to the DP! I read here every day and I like it a lot.
See? Freedom really does bring people together! Just like RP says. hehehehehehe....:)
One wears a tin foil hat.
The other wears a tin foil tie.
Support Rand Paul by donating at http://www.randpaul2010.com/ and certified non-Truthers Peter Schiff at http://schiffforsenate.com/ and John Dennis at http://www.johndennis2010.com/
Alert citizens
are just alert citizens.
I think the phrase "conspiracy theory"
and "conspiracy theorist" are meaningless.
If I am tasked or have tasked myself, in solving a puzzling crime that potentially involves multiple actors, then I'm a
investigator?
observer?
victim?
citizen?
interested party?
prosecutor?
policeman?
preventionists?
leader?
thinker?
scientist?
I could be any of those.
When investigating a crime, all crimes could be conspiracies.
Conspiracy is just a word that means "cooperation between 2 or more persons in a crime". HOw long before the act does the communication have to occur to be considered "planning" or "forethought".
Example: I'm driving in a car on the way to the bank. I've got a bag full of guns. I see you on the side of the street looking like your shit outta luck, so I pull over and ask if you want to go rob a bank with me. You say "sure" and hop in. WE HAVE JUST CONSPIRED.
And since an investigation is always held because the facts not all the facts are know, in the beginning no one can be sure that there are in fact NOT 2 or more people involved.
I have no idea why people think it's rare for people to cooperate in criminal behavior.
How many federal employees would it take to qualify as a government conspiracy?
I guess two. But most people would not agree with that definition, because in their head when they think of conpiracy, what they're really thinking of is some "vast conspiracy", and if it's vast conspiracy among the federal government, that would require hundreds of actors to have specific knowledge, and thousands to have at the very least suspicions.
In a logics class I once attended, it was said that 99% of all arguments are definitional.
It means that the people debating aren't really debating apples and oranges. This is because they really aren't thinking the same precise definitions.
and that's usually because one or both parties has an agenda to not sync their definitions.
glenn beck has an agenda to make millions of dollars, and do it by agreeing vehemently with whatever is popular (in the mainstream republican party), and ridiculing anyone who is not of his same view.
All very good points
!
The
tie.
haha
good one
I modified it. See above.
Support Rand Paul by donating at http://www.randpaul2010.com/ and certified non-Truthers Peter Schiff at http://schiffforsenate.com/ and John Dennis at http://www.johndennis2010.com/
One is crazy naturally and one studies how to be crazy?
?
Support Rand Paul by donating at http://www.randpaul2010.com/ and certified non-Truthers Peter Schiff at http://schiffforsenate.com/ and John Dennis at http://www.johndennis2010.com/
how infantile. Your "tin foil
how infantile. Your "tin foil tie" comment was pretty funny, though.
Ventura 2012
Backwards
I think you have it backwards, if you go by public opinion: a conspiracy theorist has an opinion based on way too much time studying the topic, and a conspiracy scholar is just interested.
A conspiracy theorist, in my mind, refers to someone whose "significance dial" is turned up too high. Our brains are designed to decide if something is significant or irrelevant, and that's a major part of what they do.
Some people are more likely to see events as significant than others; they may be the first to see signs of danger, and sometimes it isn't real.
A scholar is someone with an intellectual curiosity, not driven by compulsion or hightened perception of danger.
Anyone can believe that a conspiracy is at work in a particular instance based on data, but it's when they do this all the time with different conspiracies on ambiguous data, that they become a "theorist."
IMissLiberty
Conspiracy theories are a
Conspiracy theories are a dime a dozen. Our opponents invent them all the time in an effort to neutralize us. And many people on our side fall for them.
So what is a real conspiracy? I would say, the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve operates in secret. It is comprised of more than one person. And I think that its purpose is evil. Now, I understand that this final argument is open to opinion, but let's look at the facts:
We know that the Federal Reserve is the engine of inflation. Without the Federal Reserve, or some other central bank, there would be no inflation, because there would be no deficit. The budget would be balanced. The purchasing power of the dollar would remain the same, year after year.
Because the Federal Reserve caused inflation, and because inflation is stealing, I feel that the Federal Reserve's operation is evil.
For these reasons, I believe that the Federal Reserve is the visible manifestation of a conspiracy to defraud the American people.
One could study a topic for
countless hours and never actually learn anything. That person would be a scholar by your definition, but not an expert. Gage, IMHO, has very little understanding of the topic he relentlessly pursues.
Republicae, who posts on DP, would be a good example of a scholar and an expert. He has studied and he has learned. More importantly, he can use his understanding to inform his opinions.
h-daddy
Gage is no scholar?
I'm no Gage scholar, but he seems to be exceptionally informed to me. Plus his presentations have been viewed by thousands of his architectural peers around the world and with over 1000 signers, apparently many think he is indeed a scholar and authority.
He is definitely a scholar
on that we agree. Is he an expert? What is his level of understanding? To me, not enough. But maybe I am in the minority and dead wrong. As you say, many agree with him.
h-daddy
Well, I am no
coincidence theorist...
for "conspiracy scholars"
~
SA@Takimag - 911 Truths
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zubg0cFU21A&feature=player_em...
33 Conspiracy Theories That Turned Out To Be True, What Every Person Should Know...
http://www.newworldorderreport.com/Articles/tabid/266/ID/980...
_______
UPDATE:
link is now fixed, greatscott
The page has been pulled off
The page has been pulled off the internet. Figures...
There is no Left or Right -- there is only freedom or tyranny. Everything else is an illusion, an obfuscation to keep you confused and silent as the world burns around you." - Philip Brennan
"Invest only in things that you can stand in front of and pr
I think the word you are looking for regarding Beck is
TURD
_________________________________
Freedom - Peace - Prosperity
Well said and I agree
people who put a great deal of time and effect tracking down the truth are not given the credit they desire. Thank you to all those who have exposed the corruption and secret dealings that are undermining the nation.
Prepare & Share the Message of Freedom through Positive-Peaceful-Activism.
Words Matter!
Especially in politics. They should be considered weapons!
edit
!