This would be a double-edge sword tho, since they likely end up having even wilder conspiracy theories, even believing in untrue ones, since they would just think there is an even bigger government hiding more secrets one level deeper.

  • _thisdotEnglish
    3•2 months ago

    This is not as far fetched as it seems. China has been incredibly unhelpful with investigating the origins of COVID.

  • fxomt
    2•2 months ago

    If it’s a conspiracy theory about an authoritarian country, then there’s a pretty big chance that it’s true.

    Now, here’s why MBS will ascend to godhood in 2067…

  • ℍ𝕂-𝟞𝟝English
    7•2 months ago

    Conspiracy theories are just a symptom of low trust in the government. Of course the government admitting to have lied would erode that trust even further.

  • @[email protected]
    6•2 months ago

    Conspiracy theories are a mental health problem, not an information problem. When Obama was in office, there were lots of conspiracies about the oligarchic deep state. Now, an actual oligarch is running the country and essentially self-appointed himself in a position where he can remove any dissent against him, but conspiracy theorists have been quiet about it.

    Conspiracy theorists invent things that aren’t real because being “in the know” is exciting, not because of the actual information they may or may not be receiving.

  • @[email protected]English
    3•2 months ago

    But are they really conspiracy theories at that point? If the government really is doing something bad secretly, and you’re trying to uncover the truth, then you’re just doing investigative journalism.

    On the other hand, you’re also the dissident rebel who is trying to overthrow the government… oh that means you’re actively participating in a conspiracy against the government. If people have theories about your activities, they are the conspiracy theorists in this case.