I’ve been caught up with a family member that I love and respect who has gone off the deep end with regards to a few (at least 5) conspiracies that are demonstrably false.
It’s a difficult line to walk. I want to keep engaging with him, to keep seeing if I can get him to accept a few truths so that larger truths can later come through… but at the same time try not to antagonize him too much, or to pick fights that really don’t matter. Harmless conspiracies (Bigfoot! Nessie! Area 51!) don’t bother me. But when they start messing with the way you deal with other people… yeah, that’s a problem.
But one of the fundamental principles upon which most conspiracies rest is faith, and faith specifically requires a lack of evidence (or, even worse, bad evidence… nothing fuels delusions of “Knowing The Truth” like bad evidence). Makes it hard to argue against, because any point you find they specifically use are proof that you don’t understand.
I’m being patient, and I’m trying to be kind, but I’m also being relentless. No way I’m going to let them think they won just because they’ve badgered me into not responding. It’s a weakness of mine.
Hope everyone out there is staying safe and healthy!