The Great Danger of Doomsday Sayers

reply to post by Xaphan


Thanks for not letting me be the only person to point that out.

Originally posted by VeritasAequitas
reply to post by eriktheawful

 

That's not what I said. There is a difference in committing suicide over being teased, bullied, ostracized, what have you; and it's an entirely different thing for someone to commit suicide merely because you told them the world was ending.

But that is exactly what you said: "If you commit suicide that's nobody's fault but your own."'

I fail to see the difference between "bullying" someone, and feeding into their fears.

If you think that "bullying" is only when someone is using insults, belittling and intimindatting someone, then you need to step back and re-examine what it is.

Would you, say, expose a recovering alcoholic to alcohol? How about constantly calling up someone that suffers from paranoia, and whispering "They're coming for you." and then hanging up? Would you do that, knowing what it can do to them?

I'm pretty sure you wouldn't (I tend to believe most of my fellow humans as decent people and give them the benefit of the doubt first.......all though since I've been a member of ATS, that's gone way down for me), because you are responsible enough to know what harm doing things like that could do to a person.

I could sit here and be very harsh and say: Hey, if all these people kill themselves before the 21st, on the 21st, or because nothing happens, then great! It means the overall IQ level of humans just went up!

But I really don't feel that way.

What I do feel is disgust for those that use other people's ignorance for personal gain, be it monetary or because it makes them feel powerful, or as if they are in some exclusive club. I take a dim view of those that knowingly spread lies or misinformation because they get a kick out of doing so, no mater who they hurt or upset.

In my humble opinion, those that do this need as much mental help as those that would kill themselves over it.

reply to post by eriktheawful

No matter what you say, there is a difference.

Bullying is forced on people, doomsday predictions aren't. Nobody is forced to buy these books/DVDs or visit the websites.

Originally posted by Xaphan
reply to post by eriktheawful

 

No matter what you say, there is a difference.

Bullying is forced on people, doomsday predictions aren't. Nobody is forced to buy these books/DVDs or visit the websites.

You are right, no one is forcing them to.

And again, I could sit here and be just as cruel and heartless and say: well if they kill themselves, then that's great! That means less people who are idiots, or suffering from depression, or paranoia in the world and adding their genes to the world's gene pool.

Or instead, I could sit here and say: People should be a bit more responsible with their words and actions. To stop and think first, or to write or speak in a responsible way.

The pen truly is mightier than the sword.

So yes, we could just shrug our shoulders and say: Meh. They should of not been reading that stuff. It's their fault they are so ignorant or depressed, or paranoid. The writer/poster/video maker is not at fault at all. They should be allowed to do what ever they want, even if it could possibly harm others, or cause them to do harm.

Again, I used to believe people were better than that.

But as I said before, since I've been here on ATS, I've been proven wrong time and again, that no. Most people are heartless, concerned only for themselves, and really don't seem to care what they post.

reply to post by eriktheawful


The statement was in reference to tho situation at hand. While like you I agree that suicide is a truly sad thing, but I have no control over what people do man, it's a free willed world.

Originally posted by VeritasAequitas
reply to post by eriktheawful

 

The statement was in reference to tho situation at hand. While like you I agree that suicide is a truly sad thing, but I have no control over what people do man, it's a free willed world.

That's really good to hear.

And you are correct: neither you nor I can control what people do, say or write, or ultimately read / watch.

The only thing we can do is speak up ourselves. Especially if we see or hear of someone that seems to be suffering because they've read or watched too much Doom Porn.

Can we at least agree that someone who is very talented at writing, making docu's etc, should try to be more responsible with the information that they put out? I know you can't control it, nor can I, nor should we. I spent 10 years of my life in the service of my country to actually make sure that they have a right to speak their minds. But at the very least we should be able to agree that people should take care in their actions, make sure others know that it's pure speculation, or just a theory.

That when people do post things like that on here, that if I see that it's crap, know it's crap, and can prove that they are talking out their rear end, I won't hesitate to point it out. But not because I'm trying to convince them. Too many of them actually believe what they are spewing and have already decided to plug their ears and scream instead of listening to anyone that contradicts them.
Mostly I'm posting for the lurkers, the readers, the visitors. The ones who may not know enough science to understand that what an OP has posted is not true or can't happen. When the OP of a thread is too busy screaming "OMG! WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE! THIS IS THE END!", I'm the one trying to be the calm and level headed voice, and can only hope it reaches out to those that only lurk and never posts, but who may need to be calmed down after reading something like that.

So you're right. We can't control what people put out, nor can we control what people read/see.

But what you and I can do is be a voice of reason. A voice of calm, rational thought for those that may be reading a thread that could ultimately affect them in some way.

It's a two way street too. I don't just assume someone is talking out their rear ends. I go and look and check my facts, or take a look at the research.
If someone comes on here and says: "Jupiter is not in the right place!" I don't just quickly hit the reply button and say "Yes it is." I actually go and check, because I can, and I have the knowledge to do it.
If I check, and something really IS wrong, I'll be the first skeptic to come back and affirm that something is indeed wrong (but so far, no, I'm afraid I've not found any of those claims to be true or correct.).

But until then, if I can't confirm it, and it's a subject that I can confirm right or wrong, I'll be here to tell those lurkers the same thing I've been telling them:

"Don't Panic." - Douglas Adams

reply to post by Xaphan


People that fall for these doomsday claims are susceptible to being exploited. They are not being rational. They are coaxed into a situation that may be dangerous to them.

Should Bernie Madoff be excused because people did not have to give him money? People had a choice to invest with him or not.

People spouting doom and gloom can lure in those that are gullible. We see that all of the time in these discussions. There are lots of people siding with foolish claims that Nibiru is coming, or mega quakes are coming, or comets will hit the Earth, or a second Sun is here to cook the Earth, or any of a number of foolish lies.

People are being duped. They get lured in to these scams. They are baited and lured.

reply to post by VeritasAequitas


I'm sorry but the law does not agree with your position.

reply to post by VeritasAequitas


Your claims have no merit. If a doomsayer lures people into a position where they despair to the point of suicide, then I say let the law apply the same procedures on them as they do on companies that injure.

If you think that companies get away scott free, then maybe you live in a country where laws are not enforced.