Brad Ganley
One of the most dangerous things about ridiculous conspiracy theories (red: Reptilians/Star children/etc) in my opinion is that, if you try to illustrate how stupid they are with satire, 8/10 times, you'll just create a new, fully formed conspiracy theory that people will unironically believe.

Birds aren't real started out funny but, if you pay close attention, it's turning the corner into becoming a bit scary. People shielded from that side of conspiracy theorism say "Shut up, nobody actually believes that you're being dumb" which, ironically, aids and accelerates the true believers, ostracizing them into isolated underground communities who will now infinitely echo-chamber their weird ideas.

I'll put the inflation-equivalent value of 100 american dollars in present time on the line that, in ten years, there will be some sort of event based around Birds Aren't Real that makes international news.

#conspiracyTheories #birdsArentReal #speculation
Dec 5, 2022 at 9:58pmWeb
Show threadzaratustraDec 5, 2022
@brad you mean it ostrich-izes them
Show threadDetritusDec 5, 2022
@brad The fact that the flat earth society started of as some people having a laugh and was never supposed to be taken seriously is a good example.
Show threadj Dec 5, 2022

@Detr1tu5 @brad the thing is, there's no way to isolate talking about something and talking about something without a conspiracy theorist using it to further enrich their idea of said theory.

I'd argue, that even OP is spreading the idea to some extent, while not maliciously I do wonder if a simply informative post could be somehow limited in viability? Perhaps we should be more liberal with our use of hiding discussions around this topic #contentwarning #content

Show threadDetritusDec 5, 2022
@j @brad that’s a fair point.
Show threadBrad GanleyDec 5, 2022
@Detr1tu5 @j True indeed but part of me things that a CW will make it more enticing to the susceptible.

What a mess we are as a species