Study shows conspiracy theorists are most sane

This headline isn't new to ATS, but it popped up in a recent 9/11 thread and used as some sort of validation, basically it came across as "this study says I'm smarter than you!"

Sadly though, it's the opposite, not for me to be honest, I actually found it hilarious, but I digress.

This headline apparently stems back to an article written by Iranian run Presstv and grew and flourished amongst your atypical conspiracy theory websites from there, but the study said no such thing..

Our recently published Frontiers study on online communication, “What about Building 7?” A social psychological study of online discussion of 9/11 conspiracy theories, has been the subject of some chatter on the Internet – but not quite in the way I had hoped. A story by Kevin Barrett on PressTV.ir has interpreted the study as showing that conspiracists are “more sane” than conventionalists, and, given that this is an appealing headline for long-suffering conspiracists, has been copy-pasted around the Internet in a highly uncritical fashion.

conspiracypsychology.com...

"Highly uncritical fashion"

Got that right, in spreading this around, giving each other congratulatory backs slaps, these websites, blogs and forums have actually shown that they're prone to massive confirmation bias, and lack critical thinking.

so I hope in the future if you see someone reference this study to validate their claims, I hope you direct them to this thread, or tell them that no, a scientific study did not reveal that they are more sane or smarter, and that in fact by blindly believing it, they are the exact opposite.

a reply to: Chadwickus

Oh Dear "The Emperor has no clothes"

a reply to: Chadwickus

So....do you consider yourself a conventionalist or a conspiracy theorist ?

a reply to: hopenotfeariswhatweneed

I consider myself a pragmatist and a skeptic.

a reply to: hopenotfeariswhatweneed

Neither actually..

Skeptic.

originally posted by: artistpoet
a reply to: Chadwickus

Oh Dear "The Emperor has no clothes"

Lol

I am a man of faith
I will not call any one crazy or a fool
I wish good will upon all mankind

a reply to: hopenotfeariswhatweneed

Fence sitter and observer

I'm hard core, show me some evidence and I will come along for the ride. But don't try and make me believe, or insult me because you haven't provided concrete evidence and I'm still skeptical.

I always say follow the money, invariably all this conspiracy stuff is about some stooge trying to get more wealth illegally or getting you to up their clicks on youtube for cash.

I never believed MSM , I Always thought it was BS mostly after 911 , I thought it was odd Especially when Richard A. Clarke was on 60 min Saying that Bush jr. wanted a Connection with Iraq and 911 and Bush jr. Insisted on it. Then it Clicked at Least for Me and Colin Powell seemed he wanted nothing to do with it . And so much other stuff . Anyway I look to alternative media to see what they have , Not saying Alternative media is the Truth but to get another Point of view . So that survey may have some significance . and BTW Happy New Year to All of you.

originally posted by: Chadwickus
a reply to: hopenotfeariswhatweneed

Neither actually..

Skeptic.

There has never been any proof that skeptics exist.

originally posted by: VictorVonDoom

originally posted by: Chadwickus
a reply to: hopenotfeariswhatweneed

Neither actually..

Skeptic.

There has never been any proof that skeptics exist.

I doubt that.

originally posted by: Phage

originally posted by: VictorVonDoom

originally posted by: Chadwickus
a reply to: hopenotfeariswhatweneed

Neither actually..

Skeptic.

There has never been any proof that skeptics exist.

I doubt that.

Can you prove that?

a reply to: VictorVonDoom
I'm a skeptic. Providing proofs is not part of the description.

Well upon seeing some of the conspiracies you have to wonder if some of them are sane :p .

originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: VictorVonDoom
I'm a skeptic. Providing proofs is not part of the description.

I'm not going to believe you are a skeptic without proof. Sounds like another crazy conspiracy theory.

originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: hopenotfeariswhatweneed

I consider myself a pragmatist and a skeptic.

I concur!!

originally posted by: hopenotfeariswhatweneed
a reply to: Chadwickus

So....do you consider yourself a conventionalist or a conspiracy theorist ?

I just enjoy reading the crazy.

Love the headline, "most sane"...

I'm hearing Bill and Ted saying, "Dude, conspiracy peeps are most sane!"

a reply to: Chadwickus

Agreed, if anything I am a crack-pot weirdo bordering on insanity. Lucky for me though, I'm right and everyone else is wrong, unless they believe in the same crap that I do, then they are not wrong, just insane.

I luvs me some good pressTV propaganda though - especially with my morning coffee/whiskey.