What did lead you to stop being a conspiracy theorist?

Gaining more power over my life financially was the starting point. I had been seeing a therapist, and at the end he told me "I think you are ready for my final question. Don't you think it's time for you to pull your shit together?" He was right, I did. I got an entry level job, worked hard, and as my paycheck grew, I became less of a victim. Eventually I realized that nobody was responsible for my place in the world but me.

But what if you becoming financially stable was part of their plan and they knew if you lived a more secure lifestyle you wouldn't have the time nor zeal to spread the truth?

I'm kidding of course, welcome to sanity.

I'm cool with that. Being poor sucks.

Yes! Our evil plan is complete! He has financial stability, so he'll never look behind the curtain again! Ah-hahahahaha!

No, but seriously, if the goal of the evil shadowmasters is to make sure everyone's living a financially stable, free life, are they really evil shadowmasters?

No shit!

Do you have any advice for people who are financially stable but still sometimes fall prey to conspiracy theories? I am financially very comfortable but I ended up getting really into the 9/11 conspiracies for years before snapping out of it. It’s something I would really like to avoid in the future but I catch myself buying into little nuggets of bullshit all the time.

One of the things that helped me was to get really into science. I would suggest books like A short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson and the Infinite Monkey Cage podcast. If you are going to go down a rabbit hole, it might as well be worth the trip. Evidence is our friend.

I had been seeing a therapist

Interesting. Do you believe most conspiracy theorists have similar mental health issues?

I am probably not the only one.

Can I ask, what does conspiracy theory have to do with being a victim? If you think the frogs made you gay, I can understand, but if you think 9/11 happened, you're a conspiracy theorist. Alex Jones has made conspiracy theorist synonymous with nutjob, but that's not the case whatsoever.

Edit: are people downvoting because they like Alex Jones or because they think I said 9/11 was an inside job? Either way, you're dumb.

We were all victims in one way or another on September 11th 2001. It made us feel vulnerable, and want an explanation. Some people think that by accepting the Official explanation you are setting yourself up for the next 9/11.

Absolutely, I agree with that. But my question is more like, what exactly are you denouncing in terms of conspiracy theory? Do you draw a line somewhere, or is all conspiracy theory considered taboo to you? How do you draw that line? Or why avoid that line altogether?

For me, these theories are a waste of time. That is time I could have spent playing catch with my kid, or reading something worthwhile in the end, for me, they end up being a circlejerk much like reading Alister Crowley.

So, once financially stable, the fact that we are being controlled by evil entities becomes less of an issue. Cool.

You sound just like the Christians, "Looks like Satan paid you off." I am good with that.

Did you watch the show before accepting the offer to be on it? Sometimes I think many of their guests haven't really seen the show, and they are in for a bit of a surprise when they sit down with their families to see the debut

I had never seen the show, I figured since it was P&T, it would likely be entertainment. I agree, most people they put on have no clue that they are cannon fodder.

This answer confuses me. Penn said specifically that prospective* interviewees knew the shows opinion and even were given DVDs to know the type of show they were going to be on.

He said they don't do that "Michael Moore shit", so was he lying? Misled?

I received literally nothing from anyone associated with P&T:B.S.

You say former conspiracy theorist. How deep did you go? Alex Jones, Jim Maars or full on David Icke?

Are there any "conspiracys" that you still think might be real?

I have 2 words for you my friend; Milli Vanilli

So you are no longer a conspiracy theorist? If so what were your theories and how did you debunk them to yourself?

I have no theories, in the end I got to a place where I need real, scientific proof, then I am willing to accept something as possible.

You're not willing to accept something as "possible" without scientific proof?

That which is possible is not true, it is not even probable.

It is possible that there is gold buried in my back yard, but I am not about to grab a shovel and go looking.

I am always a little pissed at people calling themselves conspiracy "theorists". Theory implies you have followed the scientific method at least... It gives a pseudo legitimate title to people who are better called "conspiracy believers". Not knocking you or trying to ruin your day. Glad you've come out of it. Most don't. Good luck!

O.K. fine, I was a Conspiracy Hypothesist.

BTW, Thanks to u/papercup617 for the initial request

In response to your questions,

• 1. What were you on the show for?
• 2. How did you feel about the way you were portrayed on the show?
• 3. Did their arguments change your mind?
• 4. Did you actually meet Penn and/or Teller?
• 5. Do people ever recognize you, or did it have an effect on your life/business/job/etc.?
• 6. Were there other episodes or concepts featured on the show that surprised you or made you change your mind about something?
• 1. If you met Teller, what does he sound like?
• 1. They asked us to come up with our favorite Conspiracy Theories.
• 1. I don't really have any feelings about how "I" was portrayed on the show. By my own choice I was playing a character, although, they implied that I had been drinking, which was funny since I have not touched a drink since 12/3/2004.
• 1. Some of the expert opinion helped to change my mind on the subject, but for me understanding that being in a position of low power, financially, and socially, made me vulnerable to believing outlandish things. Once I started taking care of those issues, I started to no longer believe in anything that required belief.
• 1. Penn and Teller did not come out with the production crew, so no.
• 1. A couple of people recognized me from the episode, and were really cool about it. People really tore me up online about the Bill Hicks thing. As for my work/business life, no impact. Once in a while people do ask, "Hey, don't I know you from somewhere?" If I think it is from B.S. I just ask them if they watch porn? Then I tell them my screen name is Buck Naked. Thanks Costanza!
• 1. I was surprised with the lack of understanding that they put in to the 12 Step Episode. As an atheist who has been sober for a while, with the help of a 12 step program, I thought they really phoned it in on that one.
• 1. I have no idea.

I suck at formatting, sorry.

Oh god, that's both an ordered and unordered list with 6 items, followed by 8 lists (again, both ordered and unordered) with 1 item each.

Yep, I suck.

Don't people realize that being included on that show generally means you will be mocked on national television. Given that, why sign a release to be on the show?

Because, GONNA BE ON T.V. !!! Yeah, I was really that stupid.

Not really stupidity, it's kinda human nature for some reason. People are stupid. Personally, I have no desire to be on TV and could never see myself running towards the camera, more likely running away most of the time. That said, for some reason that level of exposure really seduces a lot of people and they do far more than you did to get a piece of it.

At least I didn't have to eat worms

Do you think the new tariffs on aluminum foil will make tin foils hats more expensive?

What self respecting conspiracy theorist would be caught without a stockpile?

Out of all the conspiracy theories out there, which one stayed with you the most?

The Satanic Panic of the 80s really sticks with me because of the innocent people who got fucked over by it, including The West Memphis 3

Is this entire AMA a conspiracy to discredit and portray “conspiracy theorists” as individuals of lower socio-economic status or being in poor financial and/or social environments and situations...?

No, I speak for myself from my own experience. YMMV

That is exactly what you would say if you were etc etc..

Got Em.

You bastards, you rotten

rat shit

bastards.

What would you said is the best way to have a reasonable discussion with a conspiracy theorist? Or, how do you reason with an individual unwilling to accept certain facts?

Sadly, I have not found a way to bring someone back from the edge. "you can't logic someone out of a position that they didn't logic themselves into." In more poetic words, "A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still."

Can jet fuel melt steel beams?

Can jet fuel melt steel beams?

I don't know. I have never tried.

We all know you were behind 9/11

Yeah, I was about 2,894 miles behind it.

What do you think was your underlying reason for turning towards conspiracies?

I study irrationality and emotional needs (and ability for pattern recognition) appear to be significant aspects.

Thank you.

Copypasta from above

For me it was a sense of powerlessness. I really did not like living in a world where a small number of people could cause great upheaval. For me, there had to be more powerful people pulling the strings. Hell, If 1 person could have a big impact on the world like Oswald did, what the fuck was my excuse for not doing good on the same scale?

What do you think drives conspiracy theorists to blindly follow/believe so strongly?

For me it was a sense of powerlessness. I really did not like living in a world where a small number of people could cause great upheaval. For me, there had to be more powerful people pulling the strings. Hell, If 1 person could have a big impact on the world like Oswald did, what the fuck was my excuse for not doing good on the same scale?

This is a really interesting insight, thanks. Do you think this is a common trait among conspiracy theorists generally?

They are all creative thinkers if nothing more.

Did you do this because of the recent ama request for someone featured on penn and teller bullshit?

Yeah, and I have been wanting to do an AMA for a while now.

Are you not going to tell us which comedy bit you repeated on the show? And which episode it was?

Here is the real masterpiece

Still vague. So, you don't believe the official story of the JFK assassination, then?

At least as far as conspiracy theories go, this one is fairly benign. A lot of information on the assassination continues to be withheld/redacted from being released, right? I believe that the story we've been told is probably mostly true, but if I had to choose one thing to be conspiratorial about, the JFK assassination would probably be it.

Edit: "11/22/63" by Stephen King actually has some really great insight on this. King had spent a lot of time trying to study the whole thing, and concluded that the version we've been told by the government was most credible, but admits that there's still the chance that we're missing details. King goes into good detail about it in a foreword in his book and I agree with everything he'd said.

I believe that JFK was shot in Dallas but the details have been so muddled that it is impossible to say who was responsible beyond Oswald

Did your conspiracy theories revolve around a particular subject or were they all over the place, with you having theories for multiple events? Is there structure with being one basically?

I would have to say that it is a random pattern, mostly because it is true, but also the phrase "random pattern" drives my daughter up the wall.

Do you believe in ANY conspiracies that have been confirmed by the government or do you now reject those as well?

Im talking about Operation Paperclip, Operation MK Ultra, Operation Mockingbird. Things the CIA has admitted to doing.

I accept that many governments do things behind the backs of their people. I would be surprised if they didn't

What genere of conspiracy theories were you interested in?

There are so many. Were you mad that x-files basically took all the early conspiracy theories and made a show about them?

How do you feel about 9-11?

All genera I guess, I can't say that I was mad about the X-Files, I really enjoyed some episodes.

September 11th 2001 was a conspiracy between 19 evil people who decided to do it because they "believed" something stupid.

My brother is a conspiracy nut. He believed those plastic boxes were FEMA coffins. He believes in chemtrails to condition the population and make us all more compliant and reliant on government. The list of stuff he believes in is astounding. I used to be amused by it, but now that he's a husband and father, I'm somewhat worried...

He is financially stable, works with people, travels a lot, so he sees the world around him, and yet he is still a conspiracy nut. How do I help him?!

Never let him near an A.M./F.M. radio. He might be looking for something to assert him brain to. As I said earlier, for me, science was key. I started reading about the scientific method, and the history of science, and it gave me an outlet A Short History of Nearly Everything was the book that got me started. Good luck.

Now that you are a former conspiracy theorist what are your thoughts that more and more conspiracy theories are becoming mainstream?

They were always there, we are seeing them because the light is on them.

I have a notion that conspiracy theories and the like are fueled by something more fundamental - lying. I think you've mentioned that you only accept ideas now based on evidence. Were there lies or patterns you experienced that were particularly effective (if ultimately untrue)? What strategies do you use now that help you spot lies (perhaps masquerading as evidence)?

There is a bit of a leap of logic required to believe in a Conspiracy Theory. Once the leap has been made, the B.S. can grow beyond anything you could have imagined. I find that Occam's Chainsaw really helps when dealing with this. Cut away everything I "think" and Feel. Feelings are not facts. Then I am at good starting point. If I find myself at a dead end, then I have either found what probably happened, or I need to start over. It is not easy, but it should be simple.

Why are you a "former" conspiracy theorist?

I no longer "believe" in things. I need proof.

If the Earth isn't flat, what's it's cup size?

Flat like a basketball, or maybe round like a pizza

Are you throwing the baby out with the bathwater? 'Cause that's what they want you to think. 😼

The baby is dead.

Or there never was a baby.

Oh, there was a baby, and it was delicious

Did you vote for Trump and if so how much do you now regret it?

I did not, I literally burned my republican membership card when they nominated him.

What do you think makes conspiracy theories like flat earth so popular whilst being so patently wrong?

Do you think there's something we're missing? Education? Mental health?

I have to admit, I think most of the Flat Earthers are just fucking with people for the fun of it. Yeah I think we have been missing out on mental health since the 80s. Thanks Reagan!

When did you decide to play this real-life role Billy Bob Thornton? And what was it like to work with the legendary Bruce Willis in Armageddon?

First question, Last Tuesday.

Second question, Not as good as being Angelina's boyfriend. Damn, I miss that girl!

Given how many "conspiracy theories" are later proven to be true, don't you think it's a little ridiculous to tell people you "got better" and stop believing things beyond the the accepted narrative?

I will believe when I see proof. I speak only for myself. I am sharing my experience. I am not here telling anyone else what they should do.

Opinion on trump?

America has the best democracy money can buy. Trump is a self-seeking fool who is in over his head.

Was the transition from conspiracy theorist to full blown neckbeard difficult? Or did it take lots of work and dedication?

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