Why are baseless conspiracy theories allowed to be spread on LBN, GD, etc...?

[HuckleB]

It seems like it's spreading, and the conspiracy theorists are getting more and more bold in their attempt to ignore all evidence to the contrary of their fear-based theories.

This doesn't seem good for a web site like DU, at least if evidence is something DU values. I'm not saying DU doesn't value evidence, but it's starting to seem like conspiracy stuff gets more play than actual policy discussions. If my memory serves me right, that is the opposite of the way things were back in the early to mid part of the decade.

[Skinner]

1. What baseless conspiracy theories are you referring to? (nt)

[HuckleB]

2. "It's a missile! It's a missile!" For starters.

Of course, recently we had the "It's a Time Traveler with a cell phone" goofiness going through the roof.

It seems like this type of stuff is spreading, and I struggle to see how it deserves a place in LBN or GD, or anywhere but 9/11 and the Lounge.

[Skinner]

3. The "missile" thing was a legtimate story published by legitimate news outlets..

I don't think we can reasonably censor people from talking about it.

[HuckleB]

4. Once it has been established that the "missile" part is hooey, doesn't it become something else?

That was the point that struck me. Here at DU, even after the reality of the situation has been known, the conspiracy theory kept getting play.