What Conspiracy Theories Get Right

Why We Should Take Conspiracy Theories Seriously
Conspiracy theories are everywhere, and it’s easy to make fun of the people who believe them. But what if taking a closer look at how these stories took over the collective consciousness can actually reveal a lot of truth about our society? We’ll explain in this Wisecrack Edition: Do The Conspiracy Theorists Have a Point?
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Written by Amanda Scherker
Hosted by Michael Burns
Directed by Michael Luxemburg
Edited by Henry Arrambide
Produced by Olivia Redden
Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound
#conspiracy #culture #wisecrack
© 2023 Wisecrack / Omnia Media, Inc. / Enthusiast Gaming

[@MelodicQuest]

This quote from Don't Look Up: “The truth is way more depressing. They’re not even smart enough to be as evil as you’re giving them credit for.”

[@yourfriendlyinternetmeatshield]

I mean, yeah, but, the end of that movie was still what it was.

[@justtiredthings]

I’d argue that MKUltra was mostly pretty stupid and still consummately evil. And that COINTELPRO was pretty genius and also consummately evil. I think, just as in almost everything else in the US, that we’re toxically polarized on conspiracy theories in the current moment. Yeah, the diehard wingnuts are way overly convinced of the infallible genius and flawless collaboration of their foes, but most of their detractors are also overly allergic to actually pretty healthy conspiracy speculation.

[@justtiredthings]

Also, your plans don’t really have to be genius or perfectly coordinated when your audience is deeply gullible or beset by fear and crisis and when you’re the most powerful people in the room. I don’t think the Iraq War was much of a masterplan, but most of us ate what we were spooned, anyway.

[@redherronrecords]

​@@yourfriendlyinternetmeatshieldgreat? That ending was great 😊

[@kadeemk4679]

​@@justtiredthingsmost American citizens protested and were against the Iraq war though

[@jaysal_dies]

idk if it's just me but michael seems more unhinged lately and i am all for it

[@WisecrackEDU]

I've always been relatively unhinged, but our director (Lux) and team of editors have been leaving more of my unhinged rants in the videos recently. Thank you for encouraging and enabling this behavior.

[@Sathier]

@@WisecrackEDU This is the behavior I subscribe for. Keep it coming, Michael!

[@seductiveseaweed]

​@@WisecrackEDU we're here for it. Just look after yourself every once and a while. It's all too serious & concerning the things you have to talk about. We all need breaks from it ❤

[@eyemunchained8968]

Bring back drinking on the job 🥴

[@bsphillips1]

@@WisecrackEDU Is THIS the the episode with the edibles? (If not, it should be.)

[@shashipancholi]

*Notice to my FBI agent:* The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the viewer

[@yourfriendlyinternetmeatshield]

Big Huey Freeman from Boondocks vibes here... but.. "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean we aren't after you."

[@klutterkicker]

You know what's going to happen, right? You and your FBI agent are going to fall in love.

[@dexterrity]

​​​​@@klutterkickermy psych said the love of my life would never just randomly bust into my room. But now I'm thinking. Lest. . .

[@neuralmute]

I'm so glad to live in a country where our government doesn't really care as much as the Americans about spying on their own people.

[@OCmenacemafia]

NSA*

[@Nestor_Makhno]

My favourite conspiracy theory is that Lee Harvey Oswald is innocent and JFK's head just kinda did that sometimes.

[@LuisSierra42]

So JFK was the reptilian?

[@dylanorr2127]

Sumtime your just HEAD EXPLODE!!?😮

[@PhilieBlunt666]

Omg dude!! How has nobody ever come up with this before?? **mindblown** 🤯

[@Hectonkhyres]

It was the cocaine, you see...

[@dylanorr2127]

@@Hectonkhyres COCAINUM

[@zigzagman779]

"You don't need a formal conspiracy when interests converge." - George Carlin

[@justtiredthings]

big this

[@yategostreetwear1538]

thank you

[@davidvonallmen19]

Yeah, I always say the only real conspiracies are tacit ones. Trump and Tucker Carlson don't need to have discussions about what lies they're going to tell the conservatives, they both know it's in their own interest to tell conservatives whatever those conservatives want to believe whether it's true or not, so they reinforce each others' talking points. No conspiring needed.

[@justtiredthings]

@davidvonallmen7804 I mean, yes, that's how a great deal of this works. But also it's straight-up ahistorical to deny the existence of explicit and substantial conspiracies amongst powerful people. Nevermind that people at all levels conspire literally every day--deceit and collaboration are pretty fundamental elements of human social experience, lol. It's kind of weird that nutty and dogmatic conspiracy theorists with poor critical thinking skills have been used to convince centrists to reject the very basic and obvious fact that conspiracies happen. Like, there are laws that pertain to conspiracies. They're not unicorns but a pretty common human phenomenon

[@sloppyjoke6062]

@@davidvonallmen19if you can’t see that they both sides lie or clearly have bias your purposely being dense.

[@Goremocker]

I really like this new Wisecrack era of knowledge-based psychosis leading to semi-incoherent ramblings. It really gives, "I really can't take any more and i wish i was making this up" vibes.

[@WisecrackEDU]

appreciate you.

[@LuisSierra42]

Yea, people may not believe it but we are living in a post apocalyptic world

[@cherie..cherry]

It feels so real. Like a conversation you would have with friends 😂

[@WisecrackEDU]

@@cherie..cherry awww man that's just so great to hear. I shared your comment with the whole team and it really meant a lot to all of us.

[@Grizabeebles]

Jared was merely the first to crack. The internet allows such easy access to unlimited information and the public has such little training in how to evaluate the quality of the information they consume that the net result is going to be the general public eventually adopting communication standards similar to that of academics or lawyers simply to put SOME sort of brakes on the spread of misinformation.

[@LeRoiJojo]

Daniel Pipes: plumber, church organist, courier, network specialist, tobacco grower, didgeridoo maker, ventilation system specialist, glassblower, and pornstar. Mike Wood: woodworker, park ranger, woodwinds repairman, sculptor, lumberjack, professional axe thrower, and pornstar.

[@ianquick4284]

"Log Jammin' 2: Mike Wood shoves his roots into Daniel Pipes"

[@nightburststudios2142]

I was thinking singer or plumber but that’s pretty good

[@lewatoaofair2522]

I think Pipes could also be a Weed Dealer and Wood a Urologist.

[@brunolerman2108]

MIB agents

[@justcomments]

Ooh! Daniel Pipes could also be a professional skateboarder

[@suavobois4245]

when alex jones said we were being ruled by cyborg slaves of satan, that was the best description of silicon valley nerds i had ever heard.

[@VladLad]

And as it turns out they are putting chemicals in the water to turn frogs gay, its just not a coordinated conspiracy but a byproduct of using birthcontrol which is laden in hormones

[@Anticrystal88]

I've always said that conspiracy theories give far too much credit to government bad actors. Mostly, they are so disorganized, divisive and self-serving that they couldn't create such coordinated plots and then keep them secret.

[@ORLY911]

Which makes sense until you have a problem that they actually will unite around to take down. A lot of people in government hated Kennedy, so it's pretty likely his assassination was plotted by CIA, specifically Bush senior who was director at the time.

[@damianalejandro6959]

That argument again. The job of intelligence agencies worldwide is precisacely to act in secret in the name of nations and private interests.

[@bri1085]

That's basically where most conspiracy theories fall apart, governments struggle at the local level to get things done, but conspiracy theorists have them working in perfect unity across international borders, with everyone carrying out their job competently except the guy leaking everything.

[@MrGksarathy]

Conspiracy theories are basically the other side of the coin to liberal meritocracy in that sense.

[@kungfubrandon6886]

Thats what they want you to think.

[@AnAverageRider]

Daniel Pipes and Mike Wood could sensibly collaborate in either of their hypothetical professions. AND WE'RE GONNA WATCH

[@breakingboundaries3950]

Daniel Pipes would NEVER collaborate with someone else in his hypothetical profession, but Mike Wood.

[@unnamedenemy9]

Buddy cop movie?

[@jose.montojah]

Just like the wrong Clinton comes to mind when accusations of pe - do - file stuff are thrown around, just so is our attention twisted with ads and pseudo truths. Modernism would have us all lie to each other and become a murder machine as a species. Power structures a plenty. No time for digesting and learning the truth, as it takes a lifelong. This video is pure _Agnotos Logos_

[@ReclaimedDasein]

That would violate youtube's terms of use. :P

[@SosiskaTheHorrible]

A plumber and a carpenter knock on a young women’s door. She answers wearing almost nothing. “I’m here to inspect your plumbing“ says the plumber. “And once he’s done I’ll rebuild your box”…… Or something like that

[@Margart526]

That's Tremendous, I have always felt compelled to pursue knowledge and power in order to contribute to the betterment of humanity. Been seeking a means to be influential and find out more knowledge about the human race and about the things not everyone is destined to know. I wish to fulfill the goal of enlightenment passed down by our forebears~

[@ddirtdid]

I can totally relate to your passion, if all that is what you desire then i think it's achievable. Joining the Illuminatus Brotherhood can lead to the enlightenment you seek and more. I am well aware that the idea of this group may sound mythical but it is possible to join.

[@Margart526]

@@ddirtdid Hi, isn't the brotherhood a myth? I mean sometimes i just feel like it's just a conspiracy theory.

[@ddirtdid]

@@Margart526 Yeah I acknowledge that misunderstanding can occur when people encounter what they don't fully grasp, especially in this internet era. The Illuminatus advocates for the acceptance of all religions. You can look up "Anthony Szymon". Will give you clarity and answers to any questions you might have.

[@Margart526]

@@ddirtdid oh really, i just saw his website, which is interesting. I will leave him a message.

[@vidal9747]

My favorite conspiracy theory is that companies/governments are spreading totally crazy conspiracies just so that when a journalist or insider comes out with a real conspiracy no one believes them.

[@myloserdiaries]

that's exactly what happens

[@guillermoelnino]

Well, I don't seem to see that ever, cause all the "crazy c onspi racy theo ries" that come out happen to be proven true shortly after. So whatever g overnment department is in charge of spreading fake ones seems to be as underfunded as the VA.

[@Moondog1109]

This does happen. It's part of a repertoire, but you probably know this

[@angiebear8727]

When I was growing up believing Area 51 existed was considered conspiracy. The problem with some conspiracy theories being based in truth is people use them to validate more outlandish claims which really amount to propaganda for the gullible. Enjoyed this take. Very interesting. Ty

[@nevarius9010]

Theres loads of 'conspiracy theories' that have been proven true, just in the last 3 years.

[@krillinsmoustache6261]

It's a proven fact that the government push their own conspiracy theories with a twist of their own to make them sound so outlandish and untrue so that people discredit the original conspiracy altogether relating them both as unbelievable also most people would rather die then know what the government is doing some others just don't care untill it directly effects them.

[@user-sl6gn1ss8p]

I'm not from the US, but I had the impression that the conspiracy theories were more about what supposedly was in/went on in Area 51, not so much it's existence?

[@ClementinesmWTF]

Area 51 hasn’t been a secret since the 40s/50s. It’s been a known place for a while. Conspiracy theories about it take this simple “secret” (except not at all secret) fact and blow it up to the point of absurdity to fool young and ignorant people like you into thinking aliens are there.

[@phillystevesteak6982]

Another problem with conspiracy theories is they're 99% based on correlation. Watch any conspiracy video and notice all of the elaborate connections from dates, people, places, times, etc. that are so unbelievable "it cant just be coincidence!"** There's a very important rule in the scientific method: correlation does NOT equal causation. I feel like if conspiracy theorists could really wrap their head around what that means, it might be able to save a few. **The problem lies within thinking that a series of unlikely connections/coincidences points to some truth. This is a mental bias. In reality, what the person is not seeing is the insane metric fuck-ton of unconnected events/people/places/etc. Of course within every trillion non-connected things, you're going to find some extraordinarily unlikely connections/coincidences. But they aren't able to see it that way.

[@jacoblittle3209]

Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they are not after you

[@lukelcs8934]

It doesn't mean they are either. You have to reasonably evaluate that for yourself. Also, who's "they", and why do they give an f about you imparticular?

[@guillermoelnino]

@@lukelcs8934 So on the h unter b iden la ptop consp iracy th eory what stage are y ou on? 1. It's just a crazy r ight wing co nsp iracy theo ry 2. It's r ussian di sinformation 3. The repairman is just looking for his 15 minutes of fame 4. There was a lapt op, but on incri minating inf orma tion 5. There was a la ptop which did hold inc rimin ating in form ation but "that's old news" and "why do y ou care so much" All of these stages happened in order. pretending otherwise is delusional at best and nefarious at worst.

[@TheRaven8]

I think nuance is important. Truth is hidden all over and we’ve got to respectfully seek it

[@punkdrunkmonk824]

My favorite conspiracy is that everything is gonna be ok.

[@MrShaclakclak]

Guys, great video. I never thought of it from the "grief" perspective. You've been lied to, you know something is wrong, and you don't have the language to explain your feelings (which is why we should all be in therapy). As a culture, we look at these people like they are "dumb." A simple justification for the sometimes crazy stuff coming out of their mounts. I will try not to react like this anymore. I'm a trauma survivor, and I understand not being able to explain, not having the words. We are all here together.

[@BeFreeHugATree]

💞🙏

[@lewwylately7467]

David Pipes should either be a British New Wave Heavy Metal frontman, or a Deathmatch wrestler who's special stipulation match is a boiler room brawl.

[@patrickbledsoe2176]

Pornstart

[@CapitalWorksPro]

The problem is most people take bits and pieces of conspiracy theories that are correct or may be close to the truth, and then assume EVERYTHING they think must be correct. Like an "oof, you were so close and then completely missed it."

[@armchairgravy8224]

Anyone who says "Never ascribe to malice which can be explained by incompetence" is not versed on MK-Ultra or the Tuskegee experiments. There's enough shenanigans going on where I wouldn't blink if the lizard people suddenly appeared on Wheel of Fortune.

[@manaman9625]

The problem is these things happen plenty throughout history. Reality really is stranger than fiction quite often

[@BakaHoushi]

They really don't. CONSPIRACIES happen. But the thing about real conspiracies is they tend to be smaller scale. A handful of people altogether. And often much simpler. Take MK Ultra for example. It was real. It happened. But it was not the entire US government in on it. It was a study that some intel agency workers did because they were morons and thought that they could invent a truth serum if they gave people the right amount of LSD to people, and proceeded to do a series of very stupid, very unscientific experiments like "Randomly adding it to some poor souls coffee to see how he reacts." Because they were morons who didn't realize "Just threatening people or bribing them with sex/money" was a much cheaper and very well tested means of gathering intel. These vast, world-spanning conspiracies are a work of fiction. Billionaires conspire to screw people over, but it's with crap like price fixing and breaking up unions or lobbying to prevent regulation.

[@NeuroUMW]

Yes, but this very notion is born from a kind of selection bias. Of course people occasionally conspire and successfully pull the wool over our collective eyes. Far more often, though, large groups of people attempt to pull off something truly nefarious and an insider immediately starts mailing pieces of the wool to the media. We live in a world where US Presidents can't even get away with romantic affairs.

[@Anuchan]

True conspiracy theories are rare, but a coverup like the JFK assassination or suspicious photos of UFOs that the govt claims are nothing feed into the mindset. The truth rarely lives up to the hype. Whatever happened to those 2000 mules?

[@bibaseballgirl]

While that can be true,distill it down to the actual events. War is a dramatic and tragic event,but most conspiracies around it are simple profiteering. Most wars are declared under bad excuses. What would a good initiating excuse be? Likewise,most pollution is preventable. We don't actually need video games and jet planes. On some level,the conspiracy is modern life. Worrying about poison clouds amid cigarette smoke and microwave steam is pointless.

[@altertopias]

yeah but i'd say the conspiracies that happen are often the ones you don't expect or see coming

[@stove5035]

There are 3 possible professions for Daniel Pipes: flautist, plumber, or porn star

[@jtreut]

Opera singer is a fourth

[@derekduror3463]

Organist or mouth organ folk musician.

[@jtreut]

Gastroenterologist?

[@stove5035]

@@jtreut I guess if he's big enough you could call it that

[@darrenjackson4646]

Sells bongs

[@jimgsewell]

Daniel Pipes could be a plumber, or a pron actor who plays the part of a plumber. Mike Wood could be a lumberjack, or a pron actor who plays the part of a lumberjack.

[@rongoldman7520]

Mike Wood is a great name for a daredevil. "I wouldn't try that." "Mike would."

[@bibaseballgirl]

As someone who used to be a conspiracy theorist,I can't reccomend it. It's a rather lonely existence. And the answers,should you find any,are never so sexy and layered as the theory. You lost contact with your family for literal years to discover.....that companies like money and people get paranoid about rumors. Bravo. Robert Redford will wanna direct. The real geniuses are the ones who don't freak out just because a capitalism happened.

[@adonisendymion2480]

Not freaking out at the way Capitalism exploits the people, the air, the land, and sea - is a more insane response to me than being a conspiracy theorist.

[@shashipancholi]

_”Just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you”_

[@Bustermachine]

Conspiracy theories also stop you from actually addressing the real problems, which are often boring and hard. If you're busy ranting about Lizard People or the Illuminaughti, you're not engaging with your local community, your probably not voting based on policies, you're not really engaging and present in reality.

[@adonisendymion2480]

@@Bustermachine When the reality presented before you, actively seeks to exploit you in literally every industry. Not engaging with “reality” is a sane response. The law isn’t dedicated to Justice, it’s dedicated to profits. Education is not dedicated to teaching, it’s dedicated to profits. Healthcare is not dedicated to health, it’s dedicated to profits. The media is not dedicated to journalism, it’s dedicated to profits. Government is not dedicated to the people, it’s dedicated to profits. So who are the people who profit the most?

[@jon...5324]

not everyone who cares about accurate understanding of society becomes estranged from their family... are you sure you didn't have a mental health crisis?

[@sethheristal9561]

Wiseckrack is becoming brave and braver in manking videos like this. Well done

[@jose.montojah]

Just like the wrong Clinton comes to mind when accusations of pe - do - file stuff are thrown around, just so is our attention twisted with ads and pseudo truths. Modernism would have us all lie to each other and become a murder machine as a species. Power structures a plenty. No time for digesting and learning the truth, as it takes a lifelong. This video is pure _Agnotos Logos_

[@yategostreetwear1538]

how is this brave

[@Shinkajo]

Stop and go wash that tongue.

[@abdul2009]

Agreed! I love them; and I cant put my finger on it, but to me there is just this sense that they're taking bigger risks with their work. And we are all the more appreciative because of it. If you've ever tried to share your honest opinions, or talk about "certain matters", you'll have noticed how supirisingly challenging it can be often; how many people can be unusually resistant - be it to new ideas, or just because (i think anyway) you said something smart and they got jelous or something like that.

[@guillermoelnino]

@@abdul2009 yeah, just think of how accepting and inclusive everyone will be once pe dop hilia is officially legalized a few years from now.

[@PhilieBlunt666]

The pathological behavior really reminds me of getting pulled over for a tail light and ending up with your car seats cut open and everything dumped out because you sneezed when the cop asked for your id

[@thehermitman822]

That's some "sneeze."

[@PhilieBlunt666]

@@thehermitman822 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHnWnnlnYrBsecU

[@PhilieBlunt666]

@@thehermitman822 i mean stuff like this, cops been harassing people for ages, determined you're guilty before they even talk to you

[@liambowne8184]

At least you didn't barf on him

[@freshsoftware4720]

Would have been funnier though.

[@nieznajomy4398]

Believing in conspiracy theories isn't that bad the issue is when you can't change your views on conspiratory subject even after witnessing big numbers of evidences contradicting it.

[@jacobdriscoll8276]

I like that this is basically a sequel to your philosophy of religion video.

[@christiandauz3742]

Atheist Humanism is the way to go!

[@Copperkaiju]

​@@christiandauz3742Humanism though?

[@christiandauz3742]

@@Copperkaiju It works, unlike 'Spotlight' Religions

[@guillermoelnino]

@@christiandauz3742 I wonder how many humans y ou'd be willing to slaughter in order to cool the planet.

[@kvb_4117]

I’ve heard an opinion on KZbin about people’s conspiracy theory addiction stemming from conspiracies from the parents in childhood. For example jimmy is getting sexually assaulted by his dad and mommy knows but in order for her to not loose her life style she hush hushes for years letting the abuse happen and acting like a normal family to the outside world. Wether it’s sexual assault or emotional abuse whatever it may be the heart of conspiracies start in the family and people who who believe hard core conspiracies are just projecting their childhood traumas into the world. And as someone with a conspiracy that happened in my family and growing up into yearly adulthood a conspiracy theorist (which I’ve overcome the past few years) can say it’s totally possible that I was subconsciously projecting my trauma.

[@RKTGX95]

absolutely. people who believe more conspiracy theories probably have deep and often dissociated trust issues from childhood. if you grow up to parents who lie to you overtly or covertly and think you are an idiot that can be easily controlled and manipulated, then of course this might affect you into adulthood. i recommend Daniel Mackler's video on conspiracy theories in relation to childhood trauma (here on youtube).

[@lukelcs8934]

I think that's absolutely a valid source for conspiratorial thinking, but far from the only one. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that the same event can lead to countless different outcomes in different people, and that the same outcomes can come from countless different sources in different people. I think that what you believe about the world, though, says a lot more about you then the world.

[@Sasquatch_sightings]

Daniel Pipes should either be an organist or a singer, while Mike Wood should either be a carpenter or a woodsman. Alternatively, they could collaborate and create their own brand of woodwind instruments.

[@DrakeBarrow]

So basically, conspiracy theories represent why we're well and truly Pipe'd and Wood'd at any given point.

[@cobracommander8133]

Hey everyone how’s it hangin’?

[@bryantgrove6199]

Doing fine.

[@elephant_888]

Down and to the left. Oh! Oooh…. My bad!! I’m doing well, thanks!! 🙂

[@semkjaer3581]

Yo

[@shaharoztahir6669]

I hate everyone Other than that great!

[@jeremyrudolph3857]

You know whats best about this? The film Woods and Pipes appear in together is in fact called "How's it hanging?"

[@Zahaqiel]

The existence of Daniel Pipes makes me realise that it's very strange the Mushroom Kingdom is full of pipes _and Mario doesn't know where most of those pipes go._ Who installed those pipes if not Mario or Luigi, and to what purpose? Why did Daniel do it, and who is he working for?

[@ShadaOfAllThings]

I would just like to point out that "The Government allowed 9/11 to happen because of the various ways it would be politically expedient" is a possible read from all the data we have about how the government, specifically the anti-terrorism and military agencies that were supposed to stop it and the Military Industrial Complex-backed Political Leaders who controlled those departments, had about the potential for the event to happen. Why would they do it? Because they wanted money from the Military Industrial Complex and because entrenched power wanted an excuse to enact mass surveillance forever.

[@FluffyBunny9002]

Exactly 💯

[@yourfriendlyinternetmeatshield]

*the government*: AYYYYYYYYYE! WAR AND THE NSA! *dabs, and then someone within, assassinates those that did the dab, and cover it up, poorly*

[@skinWalkman]

I find that they didn’t let it happen, I just think the major intelligence players were too proud and incompetent to share intel that would have stopped the event. Just look at the great divides between the CIA, NSA, and FBI when it comes to intelligence gathering and sharing. Each agency fights over jurisdiction with little regard of how delays can actually force events into motion.

[@tadpole9264]

several prominent figures at the time indeed had said they only needed a 'new pearl harbor' in order to justify their policies so I can see where the idea that the government allowed 9/11 comes from regardless of whether or not its true

[@nicolebogda1482]

I’ve seen how these theories affect kids into their adulthood. It can make them terrified of the entire outside world to the point of paranoia & psychosis to the polar opposite. Some things can be taken too far and when we start seeing this generation being in control? I think we will see some crazy crap happening~

[@xXRickTrolledXx]

It is t the theorizing that affects children, it’s not having answers that sufficiently explain the conditions.

[@pinkstor]

I figured you were always on edibles...

[@MagickP00dle]

I want to find that video so bad now lol

[@WisecrackEDU]

it's probably about 4 years old at this point . . .

[@MagickP00dle]

@@WisecrackEDU thanks for the hint!

[@MagickP00dle]

@@WisecrackEDU Us and The American Dream: What It Means?

[@ThisFinalHandle]

​@@WisecrackEDU eating a 4 year old edible is not safe. It's probably got ergot.

[@BlakeBaggott]

I was gonna hit like on this video anyway, but the anti-FBI statement sealed the deal 😎

[@NickRedstar]

The scariest thing about conspiracy theories is… sometimes there right.

[@ORLY911]

That's the truth pill many are unwilling to swallow. MK Ultra was considered nut job territory at some point. Anything with pharmaceutical industry is also usually true, big money justifies big coverups and ops to keep more money going.

[@peggedyourdad9560]

@@ORLY911 I think this is why it's good to be skeptical of those in power and what might be going on behind closed doors, but many conspiracy theories are absolute nonsense. I guess my point is that just because there are plenty of conspiracy theories that turned out to be true, there are even more that are not and you should always be careful with which ones to entertain and to make sure there's enough real credible evidence to make them at least plausible.

[@keklord5817]

SOMETIMES?

[@lorenzomizushal3980]

yeah like the covid conspiracy stuff at the beginning that's being confirmed now

[@slickandslaycious6579]

But the issue is, people's emotional attachment to the conspiracy theory process Especially if it implicates their favorite person.... Or not

[@reconarmor99]

I didn't think I'd ever say a song about 9/11 is a bop, but there it is.

[@Aezra27]

Even a broken clock is right twice a day ….

[@OversoulGaming]

my sentiments exactly. Anytime a conspiracy is true, it's nothing more than coincidence. if you throw enough garbage at the wall, eventually something will stick.

[@jtgd]

Does a 13 hour clock get it wrong or right?

[@selkissun6270]

Doesn't seem like you where paying attention to the video

[@MADDMOODY516]

"if you throw enough garbage at the wall, eventually something will stick" Riiiight....how much shit do you have to throw at a wall to be right about an island of pedophiles??

[@DakuHonoo]

@@OversoulGaming any time a conspiracy THEORY is proven right it proves it wasn't just false narratives poisoning the well like many other conspiracy theories are. This isn't an issue for people thinking in the modern post-truth paradigm but most people are having issues adjusting to it.

[@crankydragon]

Pipes, does maintenance on church organs. Woods, works in a sawmill.

[@MichaelDodge27]

Mike Wood could be either a lumberjack or a carpenter and his manifesto could be titled "Woodn't it be nice". I liked the discussion of conspiracy theories and having the rich as a shared enemy, but I do think the antisemitism element plays a larger role in vilification. If a lot of these fringe ideas didn't have that element to it, they wouldn't lead adherents to vote for the party that gains political power by espousing those beliefs.

[@aramosdm]

Lol, I had heard Mike Would: the daredevil

[@viktorheylen9575]

The most annoying part about conspiracy theories is that every movement or ideology that doesn't agree with the status quo gets put in the box of conspiracy theories.

[@bsphillips1]

Yes, Mike. I know EXACTLY what two jobs Daniel Pipes should have...I think you will agree. 1) Custom Muffler Shop Owner 2) Bad-assed organist! (Imagine: His Inna-Gadda-Da-Vida would be the Shiz!)

[@wildtexan2096]

I'm no conspiracy theorist but. I am seeing alot of videos like this one dispelling conspiracy theories... Just saying it's kinda suspicious

[@ericcarabetta1161]

The current widespread apophenia, that has afflicted a significant portion of society, will be studied by psychiatrists and anthropologists for decades. Somehow, believing conspiracies became a team sport.

[@TheUnluckyEverydude]

I'm honestly with Trey and Matt on that South Park episode. The US probably just let folks believe they had ultimate power if not actively fed that information to certain people.

[@fwmlp]

I want to dig all the archive of videos to find the “drunk” one now

[@charleshammel8541]

Unsure of the source, but I recall something about the psychology of some conspiracy theorists overlaps with that of those who abandon a religious upbringing. Something about power beyond ones' self combined with the self-importance of knowing something so secret, not sure I'm representing this idea correctly.

[@justtiredthings]

Man, if I lean ever so slightly conspiracy-prone, I’ll value it as a precious gift then. Learning to just accept that everyone who ever surrounded me was wrong about the arbitrary, judge-y, loves-me-more-than-anyone-but-never-says-hi Sky-Man saved me from a lifetime of repression and from a pattern of brutal, miserable and confused existential anguish over all the inconsistencies.

[@Posesso]

That 'even if they were in fact right, they would have anyway been behaving pathologically' is such a piece of gold. Thank you! Plumber and plumber, in a video game

[@ilovemesomme]

The best conspiracy theories always have bits of truth to them.

[@2232Stephen]

Mike Woods great with his hands. Hell of a Carpenter. Both those jokes 😂

[@worstcyberpunkdystopia2188]

I always feel torn about conspiracy theories, because these folks recognize that they have no power and no way to change their lot in life, but instead of correctly leveling that blame at the awful pluto/theocrats that run the show, they decide that it's obviously lizard people.

[@christiandauz3742]

Motorhead played 'Eat the Rich'

[@megabuster3940]

Yeah but Lizard People has a better ring to it

[@Alverant]

And they also pick people who have even less power than them. They want to punch down because it's easier than admitting capitalism has some big flaws.

[@christiandauz3742]

@@Alverant Mississippi is very poor because it votes Far-Right

[@justtiredthings]

I’m not particularly bothered by a useful metaphor for power-hungry sociopaths. I’m much more bothered when they turn their sights onto marginalized minorities or onto political-economic ideologies that are actually pretty good at identifying the reasons for and mechanics of inequality, state power, etc., lol

[@arttucker6678]

Hanlon's razor: "never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by ignorance".

[@psicobassmanecdqemsd]

Mr. Burns will have all y’all philosophy heads scanning all videos to see the one were he’s stoned, real conspiracy is that he’s blasted in all of them?😂❤🎉 Keep up the good work sir!! Edit: wurdz is hard.

[@cherie..cherry]

Wisecrack youre my favourite channel rn. I love your explorations into the mere follies of todays social and political climate. Makes me feel less alone and digest the information in a humourable and unhinged way

[@WisecrackEDU]

Thank you very, very, very much! Really means a lot to us and you're describing what I think we're aiming for.

[@freshsoftware4720]

Wisecrack, I can vouch for the internet and say that we all share your aims. After all, why do conspiracy theories prevail so much here to begin with? I may have a different theory, but circular reference makes it difficult to explain without circular reference making it diffic... ...anyway, keep it up, ya pop-eyed, pickled pelvis puncher! Also, if you manage to smoothly fit what I just said there into one of your videos without it sounding deliberate I will die laughing. Bonus: Dirt draggin' donkey dangler. Also: Banana bendin', burger blendin' bag of breaded boot burritos. Try those as well, if you can manage to say them with a straight face.

[@skybluskyblueify]

@@WisecrackEDU Agree. Now I have ~$100 worth of used books to read. This channel is great for finding my next book to read. I think it will take me more than a year to read them all (including the books that I bought based on previous episodes). If the power goes out for an extended time I'll not get bored (at least during the day I wont--unless I have enough batteries to last).

[@liz2747]

Oh no! He said the quiet part out loud! They can't know about our evil plans! (Also, love your videos) 💜💜💜

[@jose.montojah]

This video is pure _Agnotos Logos_ Just like the wrong Clinton comes to mind when accusations of pe - do - file stuff are thrown around, just so is our attention twisted with ads and pseudo truths. Modernism would have us all lie to each other and become a murder machine as a species. Power structures a plenty. No time for digesting and learning the truth, as it takes a lifelong.

[@Heulerado]

"Liz", damn, the lizards really _are_ getting bolder by the day...

[@liz2747]

​@@Heulerado-evil snicker-

[@WhiteThugNo3]

Daniel Pipes obviously works with the church, as their organist! He loves the big pipes at the local church and he loves polishing them. He could also be a pianist, as being an organist would translate over, or some shit like that.

[@Pantsthief-gk8vu]

Daniel pipes and Mike Wood are probably joining Mike Krack & Christian Horner as successful F1 team principals.

[@HawkOfLight1]

Think what you may of "Pizza Gate Guy" but he truly thought kids were being raped under a pizza place and he gathered up some muny, a gun and tried to do something about it. And he didn't harm anyone. He's pretty awesome in my book.

[@yourfriendlyinternetmeatshield]

It certainly could have gone far worse... but, the reality stands that he, regardless, is a bullet point against "conspiracy theorists" in general... sadly, your very valid point, is largely lost to the masses, "cause some crazy guy tried to-" and yeah, maybe he was mentally unhealthy, but, like you stated, shouldn't more people do SOMETHING if they really believed that was even a possibility?

[@tombuilder1475]

your opinion would change if Pizza Gatez showed up at your house convinced by anonymous 4 chan kooks that you were holding children in you basement and R'ing them! there i fixed your f'ed perspective for you!

[@GothamClive]

It's so weird that Pizza-Gate is considered a standard example of a conspiracy theory and nobody denies Epstein's crimes. The only difference is the location of the child r*pes. I don't think the location is the essential part.

[@PolarisBanks]

Acting on “beliefs” is what made that guy not admirable. To live correctly in a society, all your actions must be backed up by facts from trusted sources. Your “beliefs” don’t mean shit

[@wvu05]

"Conspiracy theorists believe both that government is incredibly incompetent and so competent that they can keep these conspiracies a secret." Dr. Richard Clarke

[@johno1544]

And yet that's true like with MK Ultra. They were able to keep their horribly illegal program secret for decades but couldnt keep it secret forever

[@tomatojuice984]

Except they didn't keep it secret so the logic is still sound. What they actually believe is that they are incompetent and up to no good. Covering up incompetence is still a conspiracy.

[@johno1544]

@@tomatojuice984 the goverment is big and it can be both. Incompetent goverment DMV workers compared to the people that developed the SR-71 and B2 both kept secret until they were intentional declassified so those people were extremely competent. Parts of the goverment are very good at doing that. The logic is flawed because the goverment can be both at the same time easily.

[@tomatojuice984]

@@johno1544 the logic is not flawed because one doesn't preclude the other

[@johno1544]

@@tomatojuice984 that's the whole point of his quote. He is implying they cant be both otherwise his quote is pointless

[@Fghtffyrdmns713]

Top tier “leave a comment” call to actions ngl

[@WisecrackEDU]

Believe it or not, they were very unintentional and more just me saying whatever came into my mind during filming.

[@soliado5200]

Glad yall kept the pipes and woods bit

[@kylecramer8489]

Daniel Pipes is clearly the lead singer of a Ska Band

[@akanji8285]

Didn’t realize wisecrack was a “big conspiracy” shill

[@WisecrackEDU]

this video brought to you by BIG CONSPIRACY

[@jose.montojah]

This video is pure _Agnotos Logos_ Just like the wrong Clinton comes to mind when accusations of pe - do - file stuff are thrown around, just so is our attention twisted with ads and pseudo truths. Modernism would have us all lie to each other and become a murder machine as a species. Power structures a plenty. No time for digesting and learning the truth, as it takes a lifelong.

[@yourfriendlyinternetmeatshield]

​@@WisecrackEDU...be warned "BIG CONSPIRACY" Your tainting my beloved wisecrack, WILL. NOT. STAND. expect us. We do not come bearing snacks, nor cookies.

[@alicewright4322]

Daniel Pipes owns a head shop and Mike Wood is Holly Wood's stay at home husband.

[@lizzeh]

Michael coming in saucy today xD Love this energy

[@ShaedeReshka]

I love Michael Parenti's quip about those who think there are no conspiracy theories just have their own theory that nobody conspires. What's called "conspiracy theories" is fascinating and I think this video at several points gets close to some really interesting observations about them. 1. That many of the issues conspiracy theories are about concern the problems of capitalism affecting people who cannot imagine that capitalism is the cause. 2. That what are called conspiracy theories are the result reactionary tendencies in a population and so what we know as conspiracy theorists define reactionary movements in society. Of course, conspiracies are very real. The wealthy and the powerful do, in fact, conspire. We know from whistleblowers some of the things they conspire, such as when Showden revealed US surveillance on the public or when Assange revealed US war crimes in the Middle East. Also, conspirators are often open about their conspiracies. For instance, the World Economic Forum has public talks and propaganda videos about the world they are trying to create after the pandemic, and it's very much a kind of New World Order. What are we supposed to say to those who fear the New World Order when billionaires are openly working to create one? And the reaction to conspiracy theories, which liberals paint as a form of insanity, actually make a lot of sense within the reactionary world of QAnon and everything in its orbit. The January 6th "insurrection" makes perfect sense given the concerns of those involved. In fact, I would argue, that if what they believed were true, then their actions were justified. Insurrection and revolution are not inherently bad things, as was the liberal response. What was wrong was their information, which was likely heavily manipulated from the very powers that are harming them. Ultimately, we probably need a new phrase to replace "conspiracy theory", because the implication is that theories about people conspiring are always a kind of madness. If US intelligence did create the term, this was likely the intent of it. It shuts down conversation, divides us into camps, and gets us fighting each other instead of those who are actually harming us; capitalism and those at the top of the capitalist system.

[@Mrnotpib]

Sometimes people like money. A lot of the times you’re gonna find that the explanation is way more mundane than what you would want. I went through a phase with a lot of honed in psychosis. It sucks. Nobody wanted to talk to me. I everything I did was just an excuse to look for proof. Of there are bad people, don’t concern yourself with them. Concentrate on the now.

[@nullset11]

Daniel Pipes would be an amazing opera singer or a waste-water treatment engineer. Those are the only two obvious ones I can think of...

[@robduke2982]

Micheal, I have a sweet pair of sunglasses for you. Very eye opening. I came here to chew gum and hand out glasses and I’m all outta gum

[@AutumnSzn2018]

In the midst of starting my dissertation research on the psychology of conspiracy theories and recently encountered Ucinski & Parent's work. Loving this Wisecrack content!

[@Reapunzil]

I could see Daniel being an owner of a pot shop but what about a plumber or an organist? Pipes works perfectly for that

[@teenkitsune]

Yeah, I remember the whole "Saddam was responsible for 9/11" BS dubya peddled, I was 10 years old when that was a thing, naive me bought it hook line and sinker. I remember Codename Kids Next Door had come out and I would often fantasize about being one of them, one fantasy involved fighting Saddam Hussein when he invaded America in some giant squid like robot. This is history I lived through and knew about when it was happening.

[@redherronrecords]

I was a little older (16) at that time and it was wild how fucked even "liberal" adults were, hence all the democrat support for the iraq war.

[@teenkitsune]

@@redherronrecords I learned that liberals aren't what we think they are, they're not actually left wing, liberals are actually conservative, they're just nicer and not as far to the right as even the most mild of conservatives.

[@Charlie-Em]

Yall did good on this episode.

[@mak3yasmiil3]

Somebody put this man in protective custody immediately

[@yourfriendlyinternetmeatshield]

Your comment made me giggle. This isn't like an insult, it's more like the "*chuckles* I'm in danger" Simpsons meme.

[@Grock620]

I'm with the FBI. We can watch over him, van is on the way.

[@oneworldonehome]

If you're up for the mother of all conspiracies I suggest reading The Allies of Humanity briefings. It's a series of freely accessible online whistleblower documents provided by a group of extraterrestrial observers who consider themselves humanity's allies. In the briefings they disclose the nature and agenda of those visiting races who are in our world today interfering in a dangerous way. Pretty interesting stuff.

[@skybluskyblueify]

It's a fiction book, right?

[@oneworldonehome]

@@skybluskyblueify No, it's not a fiction book.

[@johnchapman5125]

Thank you!

[@narutofan08nd12]

Im pretty sure you were right Michael, the pipe and wood bits led to more engagement

[@oddoutdoors]

I haven't heard the modem sound in so long... thanks for that ptsd enducing bit of nostalgic ephemera.

[@galenbaker4526]

Usually, the difference between a conspiracy theory and the truth is about 6 months.

[@williamjanak2013]

Let see for Mr. Wood I can see him as a bbq chief. Because the right wood can make giid bbq great with just the right smoky flavor.

[@jochembos3334]

Daniel Pipes would obviously be a flutist or a plumber.

[@SnowBallzification]

🔥 content as always

[@pcmatt360]

Which video? This one.

[@WisecrackEDU]

no way, I was LOCKED IN on this one.

[@ShawnRavenfire]

I love the idea that the government is able to suppress the truth about aliens coming to earth, implying that the government is somehow more technologically advanced than an alien civilization.

[@socraticgambler]

Really like the sharp cut of the outro music for the occupation discussion. 🙃

[@SandsofLife]

The name puns were actually so on point lmao

[@mikitz]

One and a half million Americans are convinced that their government is run by a bunch of shapeshifting lizards. Let that sink in for two seconds.

[@SunCannon]

My favorite episode in so long. Love the casual off-topic jokes

[@rodrigoamezcua9258]

Hi! I’ve enjoyed your content since 8+ years ago! The reason of this comment is that I’d love to hear from you an analysis from Ted Kaszynski’s manifestos now that he’s passed away, after reading him, my understanding brought me to depression and anxiety attacks and since then, I’ve been trying to find some eloquent analysis take on them. I know he’s considered extreme and many more ad hominem. But there’s surely something more as he criticized earlier than many how fractured the left and modern Marxists are, how technology is ruining the world and this capitalist way of devouring any “revolution” that the left comes out with supporting their favorite trendy minority group that is not even represented by someone belonging to the minority. He points out how the lack of goals from alienation becomes frustration and then anger and violence comes up, addictions and pleasure. He talks about feminism and many issues that are more alive today than when he wrote them. I need to find some closure with understanding from a philosophic point of view as now I understand he’s being cited and analyzed by a few universities that teach philosophy on technology. Thank you in advance for even reading me. Keep up the amazing work and refinement of the big questions in life! ❤

[@WoodysWisdom]

Wisecrack is going down the road of South Park. Reality is too fucking wild of a ride right now to do anything but analyze and go, "WTF is actually going on guys"

[@yourfriendlyinternetmeatshield]

Even Southpark has "walked back" about certain points. Honestly they kinda seem to be... pulling their punches these days. You see that toilet paper episode? Straight face to the camera nope, nvm bail

[@WoodysWisdom]

@@yourfriendlyinternetmeatshield Yeah that's true for sure. I haven't been as into it since... 2016? Kinda went soft after Trump IMO tbh

[@yourfriendlyinternetmeatshield]

@@WoodysWisdom totally. But, they.... still "kinda"? If you can, catch up, it's not like it lost it's thing, but it did sort of... Idk... restructure? They used to be balls to the wall. "Fuck this lets get canceled" and they just didn't... I don't think they are specifically worried about that anymore, but I think they have accepted they have joined the "too big to fail" club and that isn't what they want, but it's done.

[@ronalddepesa6221]

The problem I have with conspiratorial thinking (CTs) isn't always WHAT they believe it's WHY they believe it. When we use cynical thinking over critical thinking then out bias becomes a powerful determining factor in our beliefs. Bias tends to be stronger then evidence that doesn't support the belief. This goes right into my fundamental issue with conspiratorial thinking: the mechanism (or methodology) used to determine what is truth and what to believe. It seems CTs typically look for confirming evidence to support the beliefs. The modern day CTs google search history is great evidence for this. It's all searches for evidence to support their belief Instead of trying to falsify it and not use the same aggressive motivation to search for disconfirming evidence to prove the conspiracy, and themselves, wrong. CTs many times claim they are using skepticism. But instead of applying skepticism for self interrogation of their beliefs they tend to prioritize interrogation for those they accuse of the conspiracy and all that oppose the CT. To summertime I want to be clear I am not saying the WHAT is not important. Just the opposite. Some awful CTs like QAnon, Holocaust denial and nonobot vaccines are very problematic. Also we must acknowledge some conspiracies often have merritt and are sometimes correct (Tuskegee syphilis experiment, Gulf of Tonkin etc etc ). Let's be honest governments can really suck. So the WHAT we believe does have impact on our lives and lives of others. What I am saying the what we believe is not the determining factor for who is or is not a CT. In my humble opinion the WHY we believe conspiracy theories is the determining factor. 1. Less likely to be a conspiracy theorist are those who use critical thinking, skepticism, falsification, searches for disconfirming evidence and model a doxastic attitude to change their minds when suffecient evidence is provided. (suffecient evidence is a whole other discussion) 2. More likely to have conspiratorial thinking fundamentally use cynical thinking, confirmation bias, mechanisms to determine the truth that only looks for confirming evidence to support the CT and often a paranoid circular kafta trap that sets up a scenario where all evidence, pro or con, supports their CT.

[@beneficent2557]

QAnon generally seems like a classic CIA Psyop. Look up the "Patriot Front" sometime, they glow from orbit. Makes sense from a budget perspective. The demand for "Right-wing Extremists" clearly outstrips supply, and the Feds have to justify their budget every FY. QAnon reminds me of those Voice of Cuba radio broadcasts from the 1960s.

[@beneficent2557]

Policymaking is literally predicated upon the act of collusion. Anyone who believes in a fiduciary motivation behind Federal Institutions is ridiculously naive.

[@beneficent2557]

'Member the Steele Dossier?

[@ronalddepesa6221]

@@beneficent2557* remember Yes of course

[@beneficent2557]

@Ronald DePesa Autocorrect edits everything I say, and KZbin times me out every time I start to get too spicy. Lol.

[@impunk13]

I'll be honest, i was really worried about what gunna happen to wisecrack and it has come a long way. This is one of the best videos yet, and I love the direction y'all are headed in. As always thank you for all the work you do

[@helios7170]

Michael, I really like that more and more of your personality is showing though. You produce really fantastic and informative videos and I’m grateful for your effort. Lots of food for thought. There was one video I remember thinking you looked pretty stoned. No idea which video though. Glad I got 4/4 points on your questions 😆

[@themugwump33]

I wonder if conspiracy theories and religion are expressions of the same underlying psychology?

[@jph4889]

Mostly discomfort with not knowing the answers to things.

[@deadcard13]

I can't help but notice all the extreme conspiracy theory subscribers I know also claim to be hard-core atheists.

[@David_Burt_Art]

Probably not. Conspiracy theory culture is correlated with religion and evangelical culture, sure, but it's negatively correlated with actual church attendance. A conspiracy theorist is more likely to be a self-described Christian, but less likely to be practicing and regularly gathering with other Christians. I think the psychology of social isolation, echo chambers and confirmation bias are the more important factors here.

[@Dannutts]

maybe "writ large" or on average. but idk, a "good" conspiracy theorist is defined by skepticism and moved by solid evidence, not blind belief. your average vote-blue-no-matter-who dem/liberal (& ofc conservative republican) would be a better comparison as far as needing to believe DESPITE the evidence goes.

[@jph4889]

@@deadcard13 This is anecdotal. Most conspiracy theorists also believe heavily in religion -- which makes sense, as religion is usually just made up magical explanations for reality. If you already believe some magical bullshit, it's easier to believe even more magical bullshit.

[@nerdineverythingnerdinnoth4984]

Challenge: Tell the funniest/coolest conspiracy theory involving wisecrack.

[@katattack907]

Wisecrack is a marketing ploy by Big Baseball Cap to influence intellectuals into this style of headwear.

[@katattack907]

Wisecrack is a mouthpiece for the liberal academy, and this is why you're going to business school instead of getting a liberal arts degree. End of discussion.

[@divdot]

2 clear careers for Daniel Pipes? I’ll give you 3: -Plumber -Mailman -Pizza Guy

[@donaldmokgale3123]

Daniel pipes and mike wood.....😂😂😂😂😂😂 you're killing me right now

[@scrollkeeper5272]

Even if conspiracies are built on small grains of truth, they cause more harm than good due to the amount of paranoia and false information they can and do spread.

[@CrimsionKing]

It is so infuriating that people involved in conspiracy theroes often want to do good, but are caught in an echo-chamber that blinds them to what is actually going on allowing what they are trying to stop to actually happen.

[@scrollkeeper5272]

@CrimsionKing You do get people like that, but more often you get extremists trying to justify themselves via conspiracies.

[@Dannutts]

​​@@scrollkeeper5272 how tf would you know? unless youre knee deep in conspiracy circles (thus proving you a hypocrite), youre mindlessly bloviating about something of which youre just ignorant. the vast majority of conspiracy heads i know are defined by skepticism, not belief. & are moved by solid evidence. for blind deference to bullshit, look no further than the religious right or vbnmw dems

[@zayne125]

To me Conspiracy theories come from our natural instinct of being aware, noticing and investigating things that seem off. That's how any Detective start their case, searching and collecting pieces of a puzzle that don't fit quite right. The problem is when a Conspiracy theory gets out of hand and end up influencing people's action without a final prove/ confirmation.

[@guillermoelnino]

The problem is y ou label everything that isn't spoonfed to y ou by a man in a suit reading from a teleprompter as a co nspi racy theory.