Kooky beliefs: Why?

[AlpsStranger]

I find it fascinating and maddening.

A good friend of mine, who can have an intelligent conversation about any number of topics, is a Young Earth Creationist.

An intelligent man I once spoke to about race issues believed in the lost continent of Mu which, according to him, was once populated by a staggeringly advanced civilization of people who became Africans.

I've known people who think vaccines cause autism, who believed 9/11 was a controlled detonation, who reject anything short of outlandish, global conspiracies to explain JFK's assassination. Abiotic oil, homeopathy, ESP, remote viewing, etc. My own father insists that we used Bin Laden in a false-flag attack and then disposed of him.

I notice all of these beliefs give people something they want, be it racial pride, validation of their religion, support for their politics, etc.

But my question is: How do seemingly clear-headed people persist in obviously false beliefs? How can you be smart enough to dress yourself, study the issue, and REALLY think the Noah's Ark story occurred? Etc.

Sometimes I don't get it. Most people who believe one of these things reject most/all of the other beliefs just as strongly as people who appear to hold zero kooky beliefs, and for the same reasons, but they can't seem to make the leap to abandoning Mu, or Noah's Ark, or the efficacy of homeopathic cures, etc.

 

[Zkribbler]

Because by knowing something you don't, they have established in their own minds that they are smarter than you...and everyone else.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

I'm more interested in why you ask, frankly. You pointed out the answer yourself, they get something they want.

I submit that their "refusal" is denying you something you want. What is it? And do you expect to make up the lack by asking this question here?

 

[tetley]

Should I point out the irony here, or just let it stand?

 

[AlpsStranger]

I'm more interested in why you ask, frankly. You pointed out the answer yourself, they get something they want.

I submit that their "refusal" is denying you something you want. What is it? And do you expect to make up the lack by asking this question here?

Honestly?

I enjoy shattering false beliefs, probably not entirely for healthy reasons.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

Because by knowing something you don't, they have established in their own minds that they are smarter than you...and everyone else.

Most people in my experience with "kooky" beliefs don't flaunt them. The assumption that they are using them to prove something to another seems contraindicated.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

Honestly?

I enjoy shattering false beliefs, probably not entirely for healthy reasons.

It may just be me, but when someone says "Honestly?" before an answer I tend to doubt it as valid. In many cases that doesn't mean I think it is a lie, just that I think you aren't sure you know you are right.

In this case I would guess something else, that may be in those "not entirely healthy reasons" that you reference. What makes you enjoy this "shattering false beliefs"?

 

[AlpsStranger]

Most people in my experience with "kooky" beliefs don't flaunt them. The assumption that they are using them to prove something to another seems contraindicated.

Usually I feel like they're part of a belief structure and not for the benefit of others, agreed here.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

Should I point out the irony here, or just let it stand?

I've opted to ignore it.

 

[Phrossack]

I find it fascinating and maddening.

A good friend of mine, who can have an intelligent conversation about any number of topics, is a Young Earth Creationist.

An intelligent man I once spoke to about race issues believed in the lost continent of Mu which, according to him, was once populated by a staggeringly advanced civilization of people who became Africans.

I've known people who think vaccines cause autism, who believed 9/11 was a controlled detonation, who reject anything short of outlandish, global conspiracies to explain JFK's assassination. Abiotic oil, homeopathy, ESP, remote viewing, etc.

I notice all of these beliefs give people something they want, be it racial pride, validation of their religion, support for their politics, etc.

But my question is: How do seemingly clear-headed people persist in obviously false beliefs? How can you be smart enough to dress yourself, study the issue, and REALLY think the Noah's Ark story occurred? Etc.

Sometimes I don't get it. Most people who believe one of these things reject most/all of the other beliefs just as strongly as people who appear to hold zero kooky beliefs, and for the same reasons, but they can't seem to make the leap to abandoning Mu, or Noah's Ark, or the efficacy of homeopathic cures, etc.

This is one of the main things I think about nearly every day. I figure the bolded is the most important factor--much of the time, even otherwise reasonable people succumb to the temptation to believe in things not because they're true, but because believing provides comfort, pride, and other benefits. A lot of times, they don't even think that that sort of wishful thinking is to be avoided; they just want to be happy or proud.

And it gets worse when combined with the natural tendency to connect the idea of being right with one's self-worth. When their cherished beliefs are challenged, many people (hell, probably most people, often myself included) will just dig in even more rather than muster the courage to admit their beliefs were wrong. Especially if they are called out in front of others. The way we phrase things might reflect why people are so stubborn; we often say "That person is wrong" rather than "Those ideas are wrong." It's all too easy to tie up your beliefs with your identity and self-esteem. While stubbornly defending your values may make sense, being angered because someone contradicted you in a discussion is irrational, harmful, and unfortunately, seemingly natural. When I'm discussing something and someone contradicts me, I have to control my instinct to be annoyed with them and to try thinking of a rebuttal before I've even heard their explanation. This is true for me pretty much no matter how unimportant the topic is. I'd guess that when people instinctively want to come up with a rebuttal before hearing out the person with contrary beliefs, or feel offended or challenged when contradicted, it's because we're afraid of losing face in front of others. That's why people are usually less defensive about being contradicted when the other person takes them aside to talk in private instead of publicly challenging them.

And then there's the issue of conspiracy theories and their devotees. While being open to any explanation with enough evidence is a good thing, some people have a habit of hearing hoofbeats behind them and assuming it's a unicorn. It seems like once a person subscribes to a few conspiracy theories, they start believing all of them. Once they decide that a party is guilty of something, they'll seize any scrap of evidence even hinting at confirming their guilt, while seeing all contrary information as propaganda. To an anti-vaxxer, any article that suggests that vaccines cause autism is undeniable proof that they do, even if it was written in a tabloid by someone with no knowledge of medicine or mental health. If they come across anything that says that vaccines don't cause autism, they'll say it's proof that Big Pharma is lying to cover it up. They are utterly, hopelessly incorrigible.

One of the most useful things that can be said before a debate is, "What would it take to change your mind?" If the other person says, "Nothing," then discussion is pointless; they will never give up their fanaticism. But if they say that they'll freely change their mind if certain things are proven or disproven, you can work with that.

 

[timtofly]

Because by knowing something you don't, they have established in their own minds that they are smarter than you...and everyone else.

Is this not the reason we get an expensive education which gives a person the ability to debate?

 

[sophie]

Link to video.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

I'm still far more interested in the psychology of someone who is so compelled to debunk 9/11 conspiracy theorists that they would watch a seven part video series on how to do it. I wouldn't watch a seven part video series on how to turn my coffee cup into solid gold even if I was convinced it would work.

 

[Dachs]

I'm still far more interested in the psychology of someone who is so compelled to debunk 9/11 conspiracy theorists that they would watch a seven part video series on how to do it. I wouldn't watch a seven part video series on how to turn my coffee cup into solid gold even if I was convinced it would work.

would you watch a seven part video series featuring a Bostonian man being humiliated at various multiplayer FPSes

 

[Timsup2nothin]

would you watch a seven part video series featuring a Bostonian man being humiliated at various multiplayer FPSes

I was trying to illustrate that I wouldn't watch a seven part video series of any kind...so, no.

 

[Birdjaguar]

To begin, if you want people to listen to or watch a video, you better make sure that the audio is understandable. It is not in the one posted above. I gave it 2 minutes and moved on.

I think that people believe the outlandish (Atlantis, Mu, space aliens creating humans, space aliens building the pyramids, etc.) because such things fit with the the current narrative of their life and who they imagine themselves to be. Some event, perhaps a book, a TV/radio show, a friend or relative, brings a subject into focus and fits it into their life. then they seek out other like minded folks who reinforce the belief. it is kinda like joining a cult. For some people, believing that 911 was carried out by the US government is like being a Red socks fan. People like to belong and we form all kinds of groups so we can be part of something.

 

[Dachs]

I was trying to illustrate that I wouldn't watch a seven part video series of any kind...so, no.

shame, it's pretty funny

 

[timtofly]

To begin, if you want people to listen to or watch a video, you better make sure that the audio is understandable. It is not in the one posted above. I gave it 2 minutes and moved on.

I think that people believe the outlandish (Atlantis, Mu, space aliens creating humans, space aliens building the pyramids, etc.) because such things fit with the the current narrative of their life and who they imagine themselves to be. Some event, perhaps a book, a TV/radio show, a friend or relative, brings a subject into focus and fits it into their life. then they seek out other like minded folks who reinforce the belief. it is kinda like joining a cult. For some people, believing that 911 was carried out by the US government is like being a Red socks fan. People like to belong and we form all kinds of groups so we can be part of something.

And we still post here at CFC, because it is both fascinating and maddening.

 

[Birdjaguar]

And we are all part of the group!

 

[Timsup2nothin]

And we are all part of the group!

I'm running as an outsider.