https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-dad-killed-his-kids-over-qanon-serpent-dna-conspiracy-n1276611
California dad killed his kids over QAnon and 'serpent DNA' conspiracy theories
A California surfing school owner who was charged with killing his two children in Mexico is a follower of QAnon and Illuminati conspiracy theories who thought the children "were going to grow into monsters so he had to kill them," federal officials alleged.
Authorities said Coleman confessed to the killings and told the FBI that he used a spear fishing gun to stab them.
A criminal complaint alleges that he told the FBI that he killed his children because he believed they "were going to grow into monsters" and that conspiracy theories led him to believe that his wife had passed down her "serpent DNA" to the children.
Rather than just dismiss this guy as a nutcase, is there something we can pinpoint that causes people to believe in such irrational things?
Is this a result of a type of personality trait, or perhaps some inner hurt, trauma or fear being exploited that causes people to latch on to conspiracy theories?
I'm asking this seriously. A man murdered his two children due to believing in QAnon, a group which actually has members in U.S. government. Is there something we can actually do to help prevent people from being suckered in by conspiracy theories?
Is there something we can actively do here?
@vivify saidThe only thing we can do is keep exposing them to the truth.
Rather than just dismiss this guy as a nutcase, is there something we can pinpoint what causes people to believe in such irrational things?
Is this a result of a type of personality trait, or perhaps some inner hurt, trauma or fear being exploited that causes people to latch on to conspiracy theories?
I'm asking this seriously. A man murdered his two children due to ...[text shortened]... e something we can actually do to help prevent people from being suckered in by conspiracy theories?
Maybe it will eventually catch on.
One thing I've noticed is that conspiracy theorists seem to wake up when there are actual criminal charges headed their way.
For example, Alex Jones famously claimed his delusional rants were just him playing a "character", when he faced serious consequences for "Pizzagate". A few of the Capitol rioters claimed they were "duped" by Trump, and later said they were ashamed of their actions...after they were arrested.
Should spreading conspiracy theories be a criminal offense? Again, Alex Jones quickly wised up when he was brought to court. Tucker Carlson's lawyers actually said his words are not to be taken seriously, as a defense in court. Even Trump admitted Biden won the election, after it appeared he could face serious consequences for the Jan 6th riots.
It seems holding conspiracy theorists legally liable seems to have a sobering effect on people.
@vivify saidWhat causes belief in conspiracy theories?
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-dad-killed-his-kids-over-qanon-serpent-dna-conspiracy-n1276611
California dad killed his kids over QAnon and 'serpent DNA' conspiracy theories
A California surfing school owner who was charged with killing his two children in Mexico is a follower of QAnon and Illuminati conspiracy theories who thought the chil ...[text shortened]... theories led him to believe that his wife had passed down her "serpent DNA" to the children.
Ignorance.
The tent revivalist / snake oil salesmen of yesteryear would ply their trade exclusively among the backwoods, uneducated folk who were easily led astray. This is why so many on the right wing attack higher education. People who bother to do their homework and research are not so easily hoodwinked.
@vivify saidThis is an excellent observation.
One thing I've noticed is that conspiracy theorists seem to wake up when there are actual criminal charges headed their way.
For example, Alex Jones famously claimed his delusional rants were just him playing a "character", when he faced serious consequences for "Pizzagate". A few of the Capitol rioters claimed they were "duped" by Trump, and later said they were ashamed ...[text shortened]... .
It seems holding conspiracy theorists legally liable seems to have a sobering effect on people.
@mchill saidThe literally "no-brainer" answer.
What causes belief in conspiracy theories?
Ignorance.
The tent revivalist / snake oil salesmen of yesteryear would ply their trade exclusively among the backwoods, uneducated folk who were easily led astray. This is why so many on the right wing attack higher education. People who bother to do their homework and research are not so easily hoodwinked.
Why do you think Trump ran as a Republican after being a Democrat nearly his entire adult life?
@suzianne saidI'll hazard a guess.....
The literally "no-brainer" answer.
Why do you think Trump ran as a Republican after being a Democrat nearly his entire adult life?
It would have been a lot harder to find 70 million dumb people to vote for him ??
And then facing the prospect of losing to "low energy" Jeb Bush.
Oh the humiliation !!
Close ?? 🤣🤣🤣
@vivify saidHe shouldn't have married a Reptilian
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-dad-killed-his-kids-over-qanon-serpent-dna-conspiracy-n1276611
California dad killed his kids over QAnon and 'serpent DNA' conspiracy theories
A California surfing school owner who was charged with killing his two children in Mexico is a follower of QAnon and Illuminati conspiracy theories who thought the chil ...[text shortened]... theories led him to believe that his wife had passed down her "serpent DNA" to the children.
@athousandyoung saidIron Sky… now there’s a film that impresses!
He shouldn't have married a Reptilian
[youtube Iron Sky 2 Trailer]Wmilvm3KIgw[/youtube]
Hitler zombie on a dino! Love it!
As to the main question.
I think people want simple answers to very complicated situations.
It’s easier to accept that there’s a singular brain behind something rather than a whole lot of smaller situations leading up to a complicated mess.
And governments do lie. People do steal. Etc.
There is an information gap. We don’t know everything. Science is exactly that as well. We’re looking for answers, weighing things up, choosing most likely outcomes and then changing direction when we discover more information about something. But there is always a gap: that which we just don’t know yet.
So when the three are combined, people tend to see things which aren’t really there.
Gods, conspiracies, the feeling that it is you they are after, etc.
@shavixmir saidI think your right especially conspiracies surrounding things like 9/11 it’s scarier for some people to think that a bunch of randoms can decide to fly some planes into some bldgs they’d rather believe the powerful and in control shadow government did it.
As to the main question.
I think people want simple answers to very complicated situations.
It’s easier to accept that there’s a singular brain behind something rather than a whole lot of smaller situations leading up to a complicated mess.
And governments do lie. People do steal. Etc.
There is an information gap. We don’t know everything. Science is exactly that ...[text shortened]... gs which aren’t really there.
Gods, conspiracies, the feeling that it is you they are after, etc.
Obviously Qanon types are driven by politically motivated bad actors and high levels of mental illness amongst the believers.
@vivify saidHas anyone psychoanalyzed the traits of those that believed the Russian Collusion Hoax?
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-dad-killed-his-kids-over-qanon-serpent-dna-conspiracy-n1276611
California dad killed his kids over QAnon and 'serpent DNA' conspiracy theories
A California surfing school owner who was charged with killing his two children in Mexico is a follower of QAnon and Illuminati conspiracy theories who thought the chil ...[text shortened]... theories led him to believe that his wife had passed down her "serpent DNA" to the children.
- Joined
- 05 Nov 06
- Moves
- 147480
@techsouth saidBAM!
Has anyone psychoanalyzed the traits of those that believed the Russian Collusion Hoax?