Dating/befriending someone into conspiracies

Nope, being aware of that stuff to the point of familiarity is fine but actually believing the far right stuff for example is just somebody who is diametrically opposed to me.

It's a hard no from me. As someone has already mentioned, there is nothing wrong with questioning orthodoxy or taking a contrarian view.

The difference lies in what underlies the basis for taking those views. Those questioning orthodoxy who do so with at the very least an evidential basis? Who can lay their hat on something concrete and who then extrapolate a hypothesis? Well they at least are displaying a rationality that can be debated and reasoned with.

Unfortunately, in every single independent thinker, just asking questions bro and rational thinker I've ever encountered? That rationality is lacking.

I want to make clear that I don't know all the answers. That I am happy to assess new positions, new evidence and to accept when I am wrong. My experience of folk into CTs? Is that when presented with similar? Their theory adds a layer of plot armour that reinforces their own view.

The simple fact that "conspiracies" are even an important part of their personality and identity is telling. I'd also add that on a personal level, dealing with the aftermath of such a person (and this before the rise of Qanon & similar) that these aren't harmless hobbies. I have dealt with the spiral, the crash and the effort to help someone rebuild.

They’re not meltdowns, they can be breakdowns, scams, or complete or utter scumbags taking advantage of horrible situations and the incredulous. Not an environment I want to be part of.

Someone who watches the Kardashians would be very close to the same territory for me.

have a conspiracy relation, coherent conversations are a none runner, so having a fully functioning mature relationship is also a none runner!

There also seems to be a good overlap with the bro-sphere brigade, who it's fair to say spent the last number of years mocking the woke, my truth, feelings etc. (often justifiably). Yet there is very little difference when they expect their opinions to be treated equally as all others and engage in beliefs that are as dumb as anything the woke brigade had to offer.

The problem is the calling out is normally done not just by nutters, but people who keep calling out things and then move on to the next ones. Conspiracies are normally revealed by someone close to the conspiracy or by someone who can get close to someone who is close to the conspiracy.

Let's take Alex Jones (the clown Emperor of conspiracy theorists) as an example, he along with all others like to criticize the mainstream legacy media (as conspiracies are becoming mainstream) but at least they have a staff that are out there investigating, what is he going to discover from his studio? Unless you're Tucker Carlson and joe Rogan who thinks he a prophet.

I'm possibly completely wrong but I think these people are wrong 9 out of 20 times but being willing to disagree with the majority is good for society as it is often important to be willing to question what is perceived to be correct.

My brother does my head in but like a stopped clock is sometimes correct. Just in last few weeks he suggested buying shares in x,y and z when Trump announced tariffs and shares went tumbling. He was sure Trump would backtrack to some degree quickly and was correct. As usual I ignored. Still wrong about covid etc

That could be a conspiracy in that Trump is out to benefit people close to him, which isn't outlandish since it's entirely within character.

Anyone seen Alex Jones recently, wow his supplements must be great stuff or he's off his t1ts on Ozempic. He looks like Donald Pleasance now.

I get what you mean but the thing they have in common is the belief that "they" are lying to us to control us or whatever else. The difference between those 2 conspiracy theories is the distance in the past.

I suppose in the past more people would have been aware that they just didn't know that much abut the topic. Nowadays people can watch a couple of YouTube videos and think they know more than someone who spent their career learning about it. So it's more likely to gain support amongst people who don't know anything, but don't know that they don't know anything.

Plus there's an entire online industry in peddling conspiracy theories. Clicks and advertising means any half-wit can make money convincing quarter-wits of anything.