What to Call False Stories used to Discredit Real Stories?

submitted by Bigs from self.conspiracy

Over the years it's become obvious to me that some conspiracy theories (hypo-fucking-thesis, can we speak English?) are obviously fake, so obvious that no sane person could really believe them, and so seem posted to discredit or distract from ALL hypothesis.

They regularly seem to pop up whenever there is a serious issue afoot.

'False flag' doesn't really fit. And no, it's too regular and often too well-done to believe that there are just some dumbshits out there that get off on bizarre and stupid ideas.

So what to call this kind of disinformation, such distracting and obviously fake stories? Is there a name for that?

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[–][deleted] 6 insightful - 3 fun6 insightful - 2 fun7 insightful - 3 fun -  (0 children)

Maybe muddying the water or poisoning the well. This certainly happens more and more.

[–]magnora7 6 insightful - 3 fun6 insightful - 2 fun7 insightful - 3 fun -  (1 child)

Poisoning the well. Or "lowering the signal to noise ratio" is a technical way to describe it.

Degrading the quality intentionally.

[–]EddieC 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

u/Bigs

 
Adulterate
 

[–][deleted] 5 insightful - 4 fun5 insightful - 3 fun6 insightful - 4 fun -  (0 children)

Disinformation is the name.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disinformation

https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Weapons-of-Mass-Distraction-Foreign-State-Sponsored-Disinformation-in-the-Digital-Age.pdf

Here is a prime example on the topic of disinformation itself...a study in how to twist truth into lies, and vice versa:

https://elizabethwarren.com/plans/fighting-digital-disinformation

[–]hennaojichan 4 insightful - 3 fun4 insightful - 2 fun5 insightful - 3 fun -  (3 children)

Lies & Propaganda. But this is no time for discussing what to call the lies; if you can, liquidate and cross the border into Mexico. Then see what, if any, your next move will be.

[–]Bigs[S] 5 insightful - 3 fun5 insightful - 2 fun6 insightful - 3 fun -  (2 children)

Yes, lies and propaganda but I'm looking for a word, a name...

If there isn't one then we need one.

As for moving, I moved to SE Asia a long time ago, now watching from a distance with popcorn.

[–]hennaojichan 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

Pardon me. I misunderstood. I too live outside the US and SE Asia is my second home. My intention was to help anyone I could, not to disrespect you in any way.

[–]Bigs[S] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

No offense was taken :)

[–]cyburgh 4 insightful - 3 fun4 insightful - 2 fun5 insightful - 3 fun -  (2 children)

Sounds like a red herring to me, unless you're going for the angle that it's unbelievability is what sets it apart, for that I don't think a term has been created.

[–]Xeros 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Red Herring is about perfect. The definition is given as "Fallacious approach developed as a diversion to mislead the audience"

[–]Bigs[S] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Yes, the very unbelievability is what makes it so damaging and, i'm convinced, is the deliberate use.

[–]Xeros 4 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

I really wish I had a good answer for this. When something makes the powers at be uncomfortable, they will put out a more extreme version of that truth as a way to deflect. A classic example is water flouridation. It just doesn't work but they like putting out the story it's really for mind control. So if you take a stance against water flouridation you have a nice convenient target on your back.

[–]Bigs[S] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Yeah, that's exactly what I mean.

I think we need to coin a new phrase by ourselves then...

How about 'Ludicrous Diversion'?

[–]JasonCarswellPlatinum Foil Fedora 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Weaponized theories faked up by conspiretards of kounter-disinfo. WTFuCKD.