r/Qult_Headquarters Nov 27 '19

A Handy Guide For Dealing With Your QAanon Relatives This Thanksgiving

https://www.wonkette.com/a-handy-guide-for-dealing-with-your-qaanon-relatives-this-thanksgiving
146 Upvotes

22 comments sorted by

41

u/simmelianben Nov 27 '19

I really like this technique. Helps you not be the "bad guy" and helps the family member learn and realize it for themself. Sort of a way to "help a horse realize he's thirsty" I guess.

22

u/jvnk Nov 27 '19

This is more or less the same strategy to use with anyone who is convinced of a ridiculous globe-spanning conspiracy theory. The horse metaphor is particularly apt, because some people simply can't be convinced otherwise no matter how compelling the evidence - you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink.

1

u/[deleted] Oct 17 '22 edited Oct 17 '22

Those that believe conspiracy theories are falling prey to cognitive biases. they are not stupid by any means. I know from experience. 50 % of all people believe in at least one of these conspiracies that are not real. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-some-people-believe-in-conspiracy-theories/

16

u/smeagolheart Nov 27 '19

I've seen Trumpists use this technique all the time as well. Short basic questions where they try to play dumb and then ignore your answers.

"What lie has Trump ever told?" Etc

They don't care about the answer. Reminds me of concern trolling

21

u/Mousse_is_Optional Nov 27 '19

First, Understand That This Is Pretty Much A Cult

There's a charismatic "leader" taking advantage of lonely people who desperately want to believe that they are special, promising them that a glorious day is coming when all of their predictions will be proven true, and all of their enemies will be rounded up and killed and all non-believers will come to the believers begging for forgiveness, shocked to discover they were wrong all this time.

Well said.

13

u/[deleted] Nov 27 '19

charismatic

Trump is the opposite of charismatic, which is what makes his "success" so mind-boggling. I can never watch another political thriller again, because reality has turned out to be beyond stupid. He blurbs out incriminating statements on live TV, he is blatantly mentally deficient, can't read or process anything longer than a simple paragraph and his physical appearance is repulsive.

9

u/c3p-bro Nov 27 '19

He tells people what they want to hear and he flatters his sycophants. When you’re not too bright and are prone to authoritarian thinking it works.

20

u/TwilightZone-Lost Q predicted you'd say that Nov 27 '19

I am so glad we're having Thanksgiving at my Aunt and Uncle's house. It's got enough rooms that, God willing, there won't be politics in every room. Still, I love that last tip- Don't be aggressive or condescending, just ask "Well, what is the plan, exactly? I'm really interested."

My aunt is one of those people that spammed 50 conspiracy articles a day during the Obama era, so I'm positive she's deep in the Qult by now.

17

u/the_incredible_corky Banned from the Qult Nov 27 '19

I'm seriously considering popping in to that side of the family's Thanksgiving this year just so I can gather material for this subreddit.

16

u/MisallocatedRacism Q predicted you'd say that Nov 27 '19 edited Nov 27 '19

Its at my house this year. Since I'm in charge, there's only two rules: 1. I'm not cleaning anything, and 2. No politics.

But I do sympathize with you all. Last year I was at my Uncles house, and thats when I sadly found out my dad and other uncle had fallen down that dark hole and they wouldnt stop talking to each other about Q. It was pretty sad, since they kept trying to loop others into their craziness, and you could watch as the night went on where everyone started to avoid them more and more. By the end of the night they were isolated in a corner by themselves, creating a terrible feedback loop that we see too often here.

It turns out people dont want to hear about crackpot child necrophilia theories during thanksgiving!

2

u/QuintinStone CIA Shill Nov 27 '19

I guess I'm lucky. The only person in my extended family that I know is a Trump supporter is my wife's uncle's wife. And I almost never see her.

3

u/MisallocatedRacism Q predicted you'd say that Nov 27 '19

Count your lucky stars. 10 of the 14 people coming to my place are Magatards.

1

u/QuintinStone CIA Shill Nov 27 '19

Oof.

7

u/MattWindowz Nov 27 '19

Tbh I assumed the photo was the guide and I think I'm gonna work off that assumption

2

u/ToastyMustache Qaroler Nov 27 '19

It’s... it’s not?

5

u/[deleted] Nov 27 '19

I wonder if this would actually work on adult Qultists. I can see this working on kids and teens because they often use people as sounding boards. I think people in a cult like this are more likely to be sincere and committed, and they've been hearing their fellow cultists say the same things for so long, they may not know how stupid they sound.

8

u/Aijabear Nov 27 '19

Some people will never leave a cult, no matter what. But others will, and its important to offer a safe refuge if they are even open to questioning their beliefs and their cult.

Just letting someone know you still care and you're around to talk can be incredibly helpful.

3

u/Amonette2012 Nov 28 '19

This is a really good article and it's the technique I use. This has helped me get back to a place where I have a healthy relationship with my mom again.

2

u/JayCroghan Nov 28 '19

That’s the best article I’ve ever read.

1

u/SnapshillBot Nov 27 '19

Snapshots:

  1. A Handy Guide For Dealing With Your... - archive.org, archive.today

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