Stop calling a lie a "theory."

[Tanuki]

I was listening to NPR on my car radio, and two different people referred to the bizarre lie about Hillary Clinton that triggered the assault weapons incident in the DC pizza parlor as a "conspiracy theory." People need to stop dignifying malicious lies intended to undermine the democratic process. A theory is an honest attempt to explain a set of facts or observations, and even a mistaken theory is based on seeking the truth. Deliberate falsehoods are not "theories". Words have meaning, and truth still matters.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. The correct usage would by hypothesis,

since there's no good way to test such things to raise them to the status of a theory.

My son, the physicist set me straight on using those two words some time back.

Unfortunately, most people don't care about using words precisely.

[Tanuki]

4. It wasn't even a hypothesis. It was a deliberate lie,

intended to influence the outcome an election. A manipulative lie is NOT an hypothesis. You can ask your physicist son if you don't believe me.

[LanternWaste]

10. Or accurate comma placement, either.

"most people don't care about using words precisely..."

Or accurate comma placement, as well.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. Well "conspiracy theory" is just another term for lie. Or, a way of saying "bullshit" on the air.

[meow2u3]

3. Let me come up with the formula

Conspiracy theories = pack of lies. Do I have it right?

[Wellstone ruled]

5. Best discription today.

[Tanuki]

7. I think some conspiracy theorists are merely misguided,

and not deliberately lying. Sometimes the results are just as damaging. But in this instance, it is a lie and not an error. Both need to be called out and corrected, but I think there is a distinction to be made in terms of intention and sourcing.

[Angry Dragon]

6. A republican was walking down the street and

a truth bit him in the ass ............... he did not know what it was

[Pacifist Patriot]

8. I would think the majority of people hearing the phrase "conspiracy theory,"

interpret it to mean complete and utter bullshit in this particular context.

I'm not certain bringing in denotation or the use of language in a scientific setting is necessary in a case like this. I agree the people referring to the incident could have used the phrase "bizarre lies" just as easily, and perhaps should have to make a stronger point. But I'm not convinced they didn't convey essentially the same thing with the phrase "conspiracy theory."

[TwilightZone]

9. The term usually has a negative connotation

It essentially means lie. It's often used to describe crackpots like Alex Jones and the nonsense he publishes.

But I agree with your underlying assertion. Calling a lie a lie works, too.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

11. K&R nt