Fueled by the internet, conspiracy theories are having a big moment in America. They're driving online chat room conversations, influencing our politics and adding to the polarization threatening to undermine our democracy.
Is it possible that millions of people who lack the critical evaluation skills to determine when they’re being scammed are victims of malicious grifters instead of just being people who are to be dismissed? And is it possible that lacking intellectual and cognitive skills is a disability and we should approach disability with empathy?
When you relegate people to the “stupid” and “deranged” categories, you dismiss them as people capable of learning skills (even if they haven’t already for skills that are considered “basic”) or possessing any other valuable skill that contributes. Dismissing them also shifts the responsibility from the people who are trying to take their money and radicalize them for their own ideological purposes.
The people trying to exploit others are the ones we should be condemning.
Thanks for understanding and being willing to entertain a different perspective! I’m glad I could help.
Whenever I catch myself wanting to call someone or their actions stupid, I consider whether telling a 5 year old child that they’re stupid has ever helped them learn (good) lessons, and whether calling them stupid is a better teaching strategy than rewarding positive behavior. Research suggests that killing someone’s self esteem isn’t great for learning, especially pro-social behaviors, so it’s probably also not a great first choice for whatever situation I’ve run into.
Is it possible that millions of people who lack the critical evaluation skills to determine when they’re being scammed are victims of malicious grifters instead of just being people who are to be dismissed? And is it possible that lacking intellectual and cognitive skills is a disability and we should approach disability with empathy?
When you relegate people to the “stupid” and “deranged” categories, you dismiss them as people capable of learning skills (even if they haven’t already for skills that are considered “basic”) or possessing any other valuable skill that contributes. Dismissing them also shifts the responsibility from the people who are trying to take their money and radicalize them for their own ideological purposes.
The people trying to exploit others are the ones we should be condemning.
I really like how you’ve put this. You are completely right.
Thanks for understanding and being willing to entertain a different perspective! I’m glad I could help.
Whenever I catch myself wanting to call someone or their actions stupid, I consider whether telling a 5 year old child that they’re stupid has ever helped them learn (good) lessons, and whether calling them stupid is a better teaching strategy than rewarding positive behavior. Research suggests that killing someone’s self esteem isn’t great for learning, especially pro-social behaviors, so it’s probably also not a great first choice for whatever situation I’ve run into.