If someone sounds clever, then what they say must be true

A pet peeve of mine that has developed over the last few years is related to this whole misinformation thing.

The worst bit is the people who prey on gullible folks, getting them to lap up whatever conspiracy they’re trying to make happen at that time. They’ll make a video that creates a vibe of “we’re professional, we know what we’re talking about”. They talk semi-eloquently about their beliefs, usually alongside somebody else who shares them, and usually just hammering out the same old buzz words the rest of the world rolls their eyes at. They are derogatory towards anybody who doesn’t share their beliefs. There’s never anyone included who can debunk their theories, or the wild statements they make—having to defend their viewpoints against arguments isn’t something these people have grasped yet. Yet these gullible viewers absolutely eat it all up. They’ll share it on their social media pages as if it somehow backs up what they read in a far-right newspaper or from their dickhead racist mate at the pub. And it spreads even further, completely unchallenged. People continue to believe this misinformation and make serious life decisions based on it. They never once question the alternatives; they only focus on the bits that corroborate what they wanted to believe in the first place.

It frustrates me to see it so much. When someone I know shares something like this, I instantly lose all respect for them and my confidence in their ability to form a balanced opinion on something. It’s as if they’re posting it with a smug look on their face, like a big middle finger to all those science “sheep” who’re only interested in facts and evidence.

I’ve just got no time for it anymore. It puts me in a foul mood to see people I know being so gullible. If I see people interacting with that shit, I no longer have the energy to be the person that tells them they’re a moron. I’m just leaving them to it. Let them drag the rest of the world down with them. I don’t care anymore.