Why are people so convinced Elvis is still alive?

[narabdela]

Before decrying conspiracy theorists research the net .... You may be surprised.

I do hope that you posted that with your tongue firmly lodged in your cheek.

[farflungstar]

Not really - yes there is a lot of shit on the net, but if you choose your sources well there is a wealth of solid information on almost anything including conspiracy. If you're idiot enough to read those on the lunatic fringe then of course you come away as bad as they are.

[walpurgis]

Not really - yes there is a lot of shit on the net, but if you choose your sources well there is a wealth of solid information on almost anything including conspiracy. If you're idiot enough to read those on the lunatic fringe then of course you come away as bad as they are.

And how does the discerning conspiracy theory buff separate the "solid information" from the "lunatic fringe"?

[farflungstar]

With great difficulty.

[Macca]

It is a mistake to think that there are no conspiracies, because history indicates that there have been plenty. And they are just the ones we found out about. Watergate for example.

It's when cock-up is mistaken for conspiracy that it all starts with the fruit-cake theories.

Furthermore, there is a conspiracy theory that argues that the US government actively encourages conspiracy theories that involve it, in an attempt to give the impression that they have far more control over events than they actually do in practice.

[walpurgis]

It is a mistake to think that there are no conspiracies, because history indicates that there have been plenty. And they are just the ones we found out about. Watergate for example.

I agree.

But conspiracy theories seem come in every flavour. To have some sort of credibilty, they require a basis in logic.

[Macca]

Or some evidence that isn't made up.

[narabdela]

To have some sort of credibilty, they require a basis in logic.

I agree. Unfortunately, the ability to pick holes in an illogical argument seems to be a dying art.

It's horrifying to read the illogical internet derived dross that gets quoted as 'evidence' on everything from conspiracy theory to 'health' forums.