Navigating Friendships Amidst Conspiracy Beliefs: Finding a Way Forward

[Social Media]

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark not just on public health but on the way people relate to the world and to each other. Many people have experienced a shift in their thinking, with some turning to conspiracy theories as a way to make sense of uncertainty and fear. One person struggling with this shift is a long-time friend who feels increasingly alienated by a friend’s new views and behaviors.

 

Since the pandemic began, this friend has drifted toward conspiracy theories, relying heavily on "alternative news" sources, endorsing hard-right narratives, and aligning with controversial figures like Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Although he claims to be an anarchist and refrains from voting, his rhetoric is often dismissive, arrogant, and insulting toward those who disagree with him, making meaningful dialogue feel impossible.

 

Philippa Perry offers insight into this situation by explaining how turbulent times often drive people to seek firm, simple answers. She recalls how, during the 1930s, Germany was ripe for authoritarian influence because people felt lost in the wake of World War I and the Great Depression. Adolf Hitler offered a direct, albeit dangerous, narrative: Germany’s troubles were due to specific groups, such as the Jewish community. For many Germans, this worldview simplified the chaos and provided a false sense of stability.

 

In a similar way, conspiracy theories today offer straightforward explanations for complex issues, granting people a sense of control. Perry points out that this pattern reflects a fundamental human tendency to seek certainty in times of instability, even if that means endorsing divisive or harmful ideas.

 

Perry references philosopher Hannah Arendt, who noted that individuals feeling isolated or alienated are especially susceptible to movements promising solidarity. According to Arendt, such ideologies provide a clear “us vs. them” dichotomy, which transforms the world into a simple struggle between good and evil. By blaming certain people or groups for their suffering, individuals can channel their fears and frustrations outward, which can be psychologically comforting but socially destructive.

 

Perry suggests that this friend’s embrace of conspiracy theories is a modern example of this need for certainty. His affinity for hard-right figures who portray themselves as strong leaders likely stems from his desire for clear answers in a time of upheaval. Believing in a hidden, malevolent force behind world events may feel safer than confronting the unpredictability of life.

 

Perry adds that challenging such beliefs often intensifies people’s defensiveness. She offers the metaphor of steering into a skid: when someone is deeply committed to their worldview, pushing against them often just reinforces their position. Instead, it may be more effective to try to understand the emotions and fears underlying their beliefs. For instance, the friend’s fears may have been ignited by the pandemic, a time when it might have felt easier to believe in a single cause, rather than a chaotic series of events. This sense of control can be comforting, even if it requires vilifying others.

 

Perry likens this approach to comforting a child who believes in monsters under the bed; empathizing with the child can help them feel secure enough to let go of their fears. Similarly, approaching a friend with empathy might encourage them to open up to different perspectives, although it is far from a guarantee.

 

Ultimately, it’s important to seek relationships where mutual respect is maintained. Perry emphasizes that it is not selfish to pursue friendships that add positivity to one’s life. If repeated attempts to connect empathetically do not lead to meaningful engagement, it may be time to consider moving on from the relationship. This does not mean abandoning compassion, but recognizing that some ideological divides are too deep to bridge without mutual effort and respect.

 

Based on a report by the Guardian 2024-11-05

 

 

 

[Tug]

First off I want to thank the aseannews team for running this.I have been deeply troubled how many Americans have gone down this conspiracy stuff I mean my god (hang dr Fauci) !!! That’s just nuts!never in my wildest dreams heck we over here may end up with a president who is giving a absolute nutter a big say in our healthcare system.to me it’s really simple when someone advances a weird idea I ask myself who benefits.In the case of politics especially…….

[jerrymahoney]

My only US friends anymore are folks I have known for 50 years and -- as they are all international travelers -- would more likely visit me in Thailand before I visit them in US.

Other than that, my only friends these days are Thai females who could not tell you who is the current US president.

[Chomper Higgot]

51 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

My only US friends anymore are folks I have known for 50 years and -- as they are all international travelers -- would more likely visit me in Thailand before I visit them in US.

Other than that, my only friends these days are Thai females who could not tell you who is the current US president.

I agree, my true friends are people I’ve known since childhood. I refer to these as ‘friends with provenance’.

We grew up together in a small community and know both each other and each others families since earliest memories.

 

As for anyone else I know who’s gone down the conspiracy rabbit hole, life’s too short; that’s what the delete button is for.

 

 

 

[JonnyF]

When the MSM is so politicized/biased and often inaccurate at best or downright dishonest at worst, it's perfectly normal for people to seek other sources for their news.

 

Sometimes that leads to "conspiracy theories" which now basically means questioning those mainstream narratives. Sometimes these theories prove to be correct and sometimes they do not.

 

The prudent thing to do in such an environment is to keep an open mind. Plenty of things on social media go against the mainstream narrative and even government announcements and then turn out to be the truth. One recent example, that the Southport child killer was a Muslim extremist. That was ridiculed as a "conspiracy theory" that was denounced by many as false, and later turned out to be true.