Conspiracy theory

What about Fat-Cock Self-Preservation Theory, Cody? What do you think of that one? The most profound and accurate conspiracy theory on the web!

Hym "How's this for a conspiracy theory: The accusations of liar and grifter do nothing to hurt right-wing pundits EXPLICITLY BECAUSE they aren't intended to hurt them but, rather, deflate the value of liar and grifter accusations in a deliberate attempt to cover for ineffective political opposition. Because sure you're calling them a liar and a grifter but if you can keep them in the forefront of people's minds you can keep out the MORE EFFECTIVE opposition out of the lime light and maintain the status quo. So, denigrating the political opposition ISN'T TO GET YOU TO STOP LISTENING TO JORDAN PETERSON... It to get you to focus on Jordan Peterson instead of me. Because he is harmless and ineffective and I am not."

by Hym Iam April 12, 2024

Coonspiracy

The plotting and planning raccoons do with the local dogs to make them the largest mess possible of my garbage cans and bags.

I try not to be depressed by the knowledge that, every day, raccoons meet up with dogs in dark places in a coonspiracy to go out that night and rip open my garbage bags and spread the contents as widely as possible to upset me. They all hide their faces behind those masks nature provided them.

by You rReal Name May 15, 2024

Conspiracy Theory Card

A rhetorical gambit used to instantly dismiss an argument, line of questioning, or piece of evidence by labeling it a "conspiracy theory," regardless of its factual basis or the reasonableness of the inquiry. This card is played to associate the speaker with the most irrational and lurid examples of conspiracy thinking (like flat Earth or lizard people), thereby poisoning the well, shutting down debate, and protecting the accused institution or narrative from scrutiny. It's a thought-terminating cliché.

Example: A journalist asks a pharmaceutical executive about undisclosed clinical trial data. The executive smiles and says to the room, "I see we have a conspiracy theorist in our midst." Playing the Conspiracy Theory Card reframes legitimate investigative journalism as paranoid fantasy, allowing the executive to avoid the question and discredit the journalist without addressing the substance.

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal February 4, 2026

Conspiracy Hypothesis

Just as a Hypothesis is an educated guess with low-to-no evidence, so a Conspiracy Hypothesis has low-to-no evidence.

Unlike a Conspiracy THEORY which by (re)definition should have some or a lot of tangible or compelling evidence beyond empty assumptions, similarly to a scientific theory.

EXAMPLE 1)
Person 1: "bro did you hear about the Conspiracy Theory that ancient aliens have built the pyramids? These people and their Theories"

Person 2: " That isn't even a theory; it's straight up a conspiracy hypothesis. At least conspiracy theories about things like Epstein have evidence behind them."

EXAMPLE 2)
Facebook mom (federal agent): "They're putting 5G chips into 'em bags of chips"

Noone tells her that its just a Conspiracy Hypothesis, because Facebook is entirely composed of bots and feds.

by WiseFool_or_FoolishWiseman? February 6, 2026

Conspiracy Theory Fallacy Fallacy

The fallacy of assuming that pointing out that something is labeled a "conspiracy theory" automatically refutes it. Just as "conspiracy theory" is often used as a dismissal without examination, the fallacy lies in treating the label as the argument. Some conspiracy theories turn out true (MKUltra, Tuskegee, Iran-Contra). The label doesn't determine truth—evidence does. The fallacy is particularly insidious because it uses the existence of false conspiracy theories to dismiss all of them, ignoring that power actually does conspire sometimes, and that skepticism should be applied to dismissals as much as to claims.

Conspiracy Theory Fallacy Fallacy "They dismissed the investigation as 'just a conspiracy theory' without looking at any evidence. That's Conspiracy Theory Fallacy Fallacy—using the label as a refutation. Some conspiracy theories are false; some aren't. The label isn't the logic. Treating 'conspiracy theory' as automatic dismissal is itself a form of intellectual laziness dressed as sophistication."

by Dumu The Void February 28, 2026

Conspiracy Theory Equals False Fallacy

The blanket assertion that any claim labeled a "conspiracy theory" is automatically false. This is fallacious because it prejudges claims based on category rather than evidence. While many conspiracy theories are indeed false, some have been proven true, and the category itself is too vague and politically charged to serve as a reliable truth indicator. The fallacy functions as intellectual closure—deciding in advance what can't be true, rather than investigating what might be.

Conspiracy Theory Equals False Fallacy "They wouldn't even look at the documents. 'It's a conspiracy theory, so it's false.' That's Conspiracy Theory Equals False Fallacy—pre-judging by label, not evidence. But governments have conspired; agencies have lied. The label doesn't determine truth—investigation does. Using the label to avoid investigation is the opposite of skepticism."

by Dumu The Void February 28, 2026

Conspiracy Theory Accusation Fallacy

The rhetorical move of accusing someone of believing conspiracy theories as a way of dismissing their arguments without engagement. The accusation functions as social exclusion—positioning the target as paranoid, irrational, or dangerous. The fallacy lies in using the accusation itself as the argument, rather than addressing the actual claims. It's ad hominem by category: you don't have to refute someone if you can successfully frame them as a "conspiracy theorist."

Conspiracy Theory Accusation Fallacy "I raised questions about media consolidation and its effects on news coverage. Response: 'Oh, you're one of those conspiracy theorists.' That's Conspiracy Theory Accusation Fallacy—using the label to dismiss, not engaging the substance. Media consolidation is real, documented, and worth discussing. But the accusation short-circuits the conversation before it starts."

by Dumu The Void February 28, 2026