Johns Hopkins Medical Centre - World Coronavirus infection Map by Country.

[Marco]

A learned and alternative take on the current situation, and one I'm increasingly beginning to have more sympathy with: https://www.aol.co.uk/news/2020/05/2...ka-s-lockdown/

There's a source for you on another matter, Adrian. When I'm able to provide such things, I will. The key is saving the links while you remember!

Marco.

[Joe]

"Unfounded assertions" such as?

Such as Bill Gates is an evil monster?

[Marco]

Interesting choice of words to describe him. I guess he'll only truly deserve that title if things pan out as I've predicted, and in which case it'll no longer be "unfounded".

Marco.

[Joe]

Well, let me rephrase it, using your own words. You assert that 'Gates is simply a pawn, albeit, a very wealthy and influential one, for the global elite.' You state it, without qualification, as if it's a proven fact. I've seen no evidence, let alone proof, that he is any such thing.

[Marco]

No, that's simply my opinion based on what I've learned about him to date. I shouldn't need to qualify my posts with 'IMO' every time I'm expressing an opinion. Therefore in future, unless you see me putting 'The fact is...' on my posts, or similar, take it for granted that I'm simply expressing my opinion.

Plus, in order to prevent what is fast becoming a rather tedious circular argument, you need to wrap your head around the notion that what you consider as "evidence", in relation to what we're discussing, isn't the only version of such that's valid.

Marco.

[Gazjam]

The plural of Anectdote does not equal “Data”.
And I say again...

“The burden of proof regarding the truthfulness of a claim lies with the one who makes the claim; if this burden is not met, then the claim is unfounded, and its opponents need not argue further in order to dismiss it.”

Also,
Any Theory that can be introduced...without evidence...Can surely be dismissed without evidence?
Why choose not to be wise...I don’t get it?

[Gazjam]

Sorry Marco...
not to be a broken record here, but you keep pushing your own thoughts against other People’s opinions...and even well laid out and explained arguments, such as Adrian’s.

It’s Ok surely to agree to disagree?

[Marco]

Well, some people only 'see' what they want to see, and therefore are 'blind' to things clearly seen by others, who's eyes are more open...

Besides, dude, I thought you were out of this thread? It's about time folks here who've declared such started practicing what they preach!

Marco.

[Marco]

Sorry Marco...
not to be a broken record here, but you keep pushing your own thoughts against other People’s opinions...and even well laid out and explained arguments, such as Adrian’s.

It’s Ok surely to agree to disagree?

Yes of course, who said it wasn't?

And the bit in bold isn't what I've been doing, but rather simply defending my perfectly legitimate POV, even it it irks some people's rather fragile sensibilities!

I'm the one here being challenged/questioned on my (granted somewhat controversial) opinions on the subject under discussion, more than vice-versa, so how can I be the one most guilty of "pushing my own thoughts against others"?

And no, that doesn't detract from Adrian's "well laid out explained arguments", which I agree qualify as such, and btw, just to be clear, the remark about fragile sensibilities wasn't aimed at him or you. Oh, and as far as 'agreeing to disagree' goes, some others here would do well to consider adopting that policy before me!

Are you done now?

Marco.

[Marco]

Btw, Gaz, thanks for the link earlier to this BBC article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/art...iracy-theories

There are some interesting observations within on human behaviour, which I don't disagree with at all. However, as explained therein, *everyone* is predisposed towards 'loving a conspiracy theory', including those who shun them, perhaps to help deflect from their cognitive dissonance

So here's something else to consider...

Is a "conspiracy theory", instead of simply deriving from being facilitated by a fundamental human condition, also that which challenges the 'accepted norm', or those with an opposing view's rather stubbornly-held beliefs, inducing discomfort in them, as it conflicts with what they would instead rather believe is true?

Or the result of successfully being able to think 'outside of the box', when others are conversely trapped and held back by their insular thinking and propensity to conform to orthodoxy - or perhaps a combination of all four?

<Discuss>

Marco [who says: 'long live the heretics!'].