tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30608474.post8549950611058358904..comments2024-03-09T10:17:03.382+00:00Comments on John Molyneux: What's wrong with conspiracy theoriesJohn Molyneuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12505576725875193235noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30608474.post-79388005007591735492017-07-03T11:31:52.740+00:002017-07-03T11:31:52.740+00:00I found this article a very helpful summary and in...I found this article a very helpful summary and introduction to these ideas, with a reading list included. So thank you John Molyneux for the time you've saved me, if nothing else. Maureclaire's noticing of the phrase "conspiracy theory" only after 9/11 is interesting. It has been a familiar phrase for most of my life in the U.K. And I am in my sixties. Another saying, which is a family one, but which might be relevant here is "Don't confuse incompetence with malevolence." Particularly useful when dealing with employers and management. Although of course, not being paranoid doesn't mean that they aren't getting at you! Clearly some of the groups of individuals working in the banking and financial systems of the world appear to conspire because they base their behaviour on commonly held ideologies and (lack of) moralities. The fact that their behaviour results in wchaos for the rest of us doesn't mean they have actually conspired. Their system means they don't have to the result is the same as if they had. Although they may conspire or we wouldn't have the concept of "insider trading."Anne Duggannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30608474.post-53568377210627655132015-05-14T11:36:36.539+00:002015-05-14T11:36:36.539+00:00Ok, thing is, not sure how old you are, John; but,...Ok, thing is, not sure how old you are, John; but, I have a problem with the very phrase, "conspiracy theory"... it has only existed since 9/11.... it is equivalent to the phrase "politically correct", which I also find problematic (and is new within the past 20 years) They were created to, out of hand, discredit anything one wants, without really offering any cogent argument. They are simplistic labels. I am a Marxist; but, I think this is a dangerous path to be going down.Maureclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00800121522074254340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30608474.post-11294487961476748382014-08-23T15:39:42.644+00:002014-08-23T15:39:42.644+00:00"They often poor* considerable effort into ca..."They often poor* considerable effort into casting doubt on..."<br />*putAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05536925404093305370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30608474.post-62834825076373515002013-09-14T03:14:09.349+00:002013-09-14T03:14:09.349+00:00"Marxists and conspiracy theorists have a ver..."Marxists and conspiracy theorists have a very different view of how society is run and who runs it."<br /><br />No. Just because you're too cool to actually LOOK at the evidence for *some* of these conspiracy theories (9/11, JFK RFK, etc...) doesn't mean they are irrelevant. If indeed events such as these were carried out by certain elements withing the state aparatus, then you'd think this would be very applicable to a Marxist understanding of the world.<br /><br />Unfortunatly, Marxists seems to be too busy running around with their heads of up their asses to notice what's right in front of them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30608474.post-81701531721890901342013-04-17T16:01:36.239+00:002013-04-17T16:01:36.239+00:00This is a typically shallow, narrow analysis of co...This is a typically shallow, narrow analysis of conspiracy that conflates the obviously lunatic theories with those that have much more credibility. It appears you've spent very little time investigating conspiracies other than left wing dismals of the concept. Your analysis is nothing more than a regurgitation of well trodden fallacious arguments. To think that the capitalist class operates with transparency and for all to see is incredibly naive and counter to what is publicly known about the way power operates e.g the pedophile networks that lead to number 10, weapons of mass destruction, the banking crisis etc etc. It also fails to understand that conspiracy theorists incorporate plenty of left critical theory into their analysis. The idea that everybody has to be consciously aware they're involved in a conspiracy is a straw man argument that demonstrates a lack of understanding of what so called "conspiracy theorists" think. Anyway, a much better marxist analysis of conspiracy can be found here: http://sdonline.org/53/marxism-conspiracy-and-9-11/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30608474.post-69049976747716336302013-03-11T16:10:06.394+00:002013-03-11T16:10:06.394+00:00With all due respect, but alot of the so called &q...With all due respect, but alot of the so called "conspiracy theorists" have actually hard proof of the conspiracy.<br />Take for example the organisation Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth, who put out several peer reviewed papers/articles about the collapse of the World Trade Centre buildings.<br />While the documents of the official goverment explanation of the collapse haven't been peer reviewed. Also the goverment institutes refuse to let them have peer reviewed.<br /><br />Expert Speak Out:<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddz2mw2vaEg<br /><br />I could go on and on with examples, but i won't waste my precious time on that here.<br /><br />It's clear you don't have a clue about how corrupted the goverments have become.<br /><br />Here is something else to educate you:<br />Apologies Of An Economic Hitman - English Subtitles for spanish parts <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSBMXsx1O6I<br /><br />Best regards,<br />MichielAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30608474.post-65317147084271535042012-01-30T21:33:53.759+00:002012-01-30T21:33:53.759+00:00So I guess my conspiracy theory on Obama being put...So I guess my conspiracy theory on Obama being put in office by other countries so they can sneak into America and systematically tear down our constitution to pave the way for bringing the super power of all super powers down would be a total fabrication. I have to admit, no I do not or would not know how to logically and scientifically figure out how to tell if my thoughts are just that, a conspiracy theory.<br /><br />I am humble enough to say I am a Simpleton by reading this article. Now I am challenged to put my thoughts to the true test by learning how to use knowledge and wisdom in proving my theory either right or wrong which ever it may may be.<br /><br />Thanks for the information. It has been very insightful and challenging to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30608474.post-65039346211447883662011-10-25T06:36:53.382+00:002011-10-25T06:36:53.382+00:00I found a great deal of helpful information above!...I found a great deal of helpful information above!muebles en leganeshttp://www.muebles-en-leganes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30608474.post-80106311256009610292011-09-20T18:06:53.694+00:002011-09-20T18:06:53.694+00:00The burden of proof lies on the claimant - Marxist...The burden of proof lies on the claimant - Marxists, for all that I myself am not, strictly speaking, a Marxist, do understand this and attempt to provide evidence and support. Marxism remains viable because, no matter how many errors it contains, it does contain genuine, supported insights.<br /><br />A conspiracy theorist, on the other hand, attempts to shift the burden of proof through misdirection and rhetorical trickery. Galileo is a classic example, in fact - most conspiracy theorists who invoke him conveniently forget the meticulous notes, calculation, and observation that backed up his theory. Conspiracy theories come, go, and mutate endlessly to retain emotional appeal.<br /><br />Ultimately, conspiracy theorists will fail for the same reason that extreme forms of capitalism fail - because you can't ignore, deceive, or misdirect reality.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30608474.post-5355937204761614792011-09-18T17:46:19.078+00:002011-09-18T17:46:19.078+00:00Iago,
Do you have secret knowledge about governmen...Iago,<br />Do you have secret knowledge about government infiltrators? Are you Phillip Agee?Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12250211374330416889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30608474.post-6446667719605641432011-09-18T17:43:05.865+00:002011-09-18T17:43:05.865+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12250211374330416889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30608474.post-34478785746512528092011-09-18T12:24:03.401+00:002011-09-18T12:24:03.401+00:00Having reread, more carefully, what John wrote, I&...Having reread, more carefully, what John wrote, I'm willing to concede I exaggerated my anxieties about what John said. Plenty of good caveats. Nevertheless, I think there's a naivety here which is dangerous for the left. Lenin threatened to have Bukharin expelled from the Bolsheviks for alleging that Roman Malinovsky could be a Tsarist agent. Rather than pursue his suspicions, he agreed to shut up. Lenin was wrong, and his threats allowed Malinovsky to get other good Bolsheviks imprisoned and killed. Same with Trotsky. His son was killed due to their both allowing a Stalin agent worm his way to the heart of the Fourth International. Black Panthers/FBI? IRA/MI5? What about the left today?Iagohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07056650171235185303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30608474.post-17990197822650154942011-09-18T12:09:26.359+00:002011-09-18T12:09:26.359+00:00There are two equally problematic ways of approach...There are two equally problematic ways of approaching conspiracy theories. They can be dismissed out of hands as blatant nonsense. Flat Earth Society? Ok, sometimes this approach is justified. In fact most well known theories fall into that category. However, it is unscientific to rule out of hand new ideas not yet subjected to any rigourous test. Remember Gallileo? All scientific progress begins with a small number (maybe only a single individual) grasping an insight worth exploring. In the world of politics, it suits the ruling class for workers to dismiss their faults as a consequence of cock-up rather than conspiracy. I do not believe John has got the balance right here.Iagohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07056650171235185303noreply@blogger.com