Been bugging me since I started reading Du....

[DUreader]

Does anyone else have a concern about the whole tinfoil hat reference?


I have many friends with various mental illnesses, including several

schizophrenics.

The tin-foil lined hat is a real occurence.


I am well aware of the attitudes of Americans towards anyone 'different'

and the disparities in health care and insurance for mental vs physical conditions

are well documented.

Have there been discussions on this in the past?

[Cha]

1. I didn't know what the "tinfoil hat" meant until I saw,,,"Signs",,,,

that movie with mel gibson...

But to me,,,a lot of "tin foil hat" theories are real....

I don't think it is making fun of People who have real disorders...

[DUreader]

3. I know the intent is not to mock, but that is the result.

Sometimes I see the harsher 'insult' of telling someone it is time

to take their meds.



I do wonder how many know where the reference comes from.

[PretzelWarrior]

6. looks like somebody's off their meds.

LOL. I hate PC'ness. It's just too much. We're here to talk politics and sometimes get quite acerbic--not slam people with mental illness. My sister is afflicted. So I should be inoculated from attack by that. At least that's my thought. OTherwise, I guess I could say I'm a little nuts myself.

[DUreader]

8. This is the General Discussion forum, Politics and Campaigns

is a different forum.

[PretzelWarrior]

9. well, I think you know what I mean. site is DemocraticUnderground

so it would already be a given that prime motivation for people to post here is politics. But you are right. All kinds of subjects respected.

Have you read, "The Language Police"? It is interesting.

[Cha]

21. Sorry, but "General Discussion" is about General talk about ,,,

"Politics",,,

General Discussion
This very popular forum is for discussion of miscellaneous political topics.

[MercutioATC]

2. When I worked at a local Sheriff's Office...

we had a couple who would call in about having their brains messed with by alien rays (this had been going on for 20+ years). We told them that we'd have the sar with the "himulator" drive by (a cruiser with its lights on) to get rid of the rays. It's my inderstanding that they'd also:

- papered their entire attic in tinfoil
- wore copper bracelets and anklets
- covered all of their furniture with sheets (due to the droppings of the "flying pigs"
- grounded their mailbox with copper wire

many others escape me

My point is that yes, it is a real problem that most people really don't think about unless they've been exposed to it. I don't think the "tinfoil hat" label is necessarily offensive just because there ARE some people who DO wear tinfoil hats. It's a phrase denoting conspiracy theories (or any off-the-wall belief), not just mental illness.

[DUreader]

7. It has become a phrase denoting that because denigrating the person

is easier than dealing with 'off the wall ideas'

Interesting that you refer to an extreme example, unusual as well

because it is a couple.

[midnitemoleman]

4. I believe it refers to government intrusions/spying

Nice try on couseing a up-roar over that. I work with the mentaly handi-caped on a regular bassis and I have never heard the tin-foil hat ever mentioned. It deals with probing the brain and I believe you know that. You are a DU reader, but are you a Democrat?

[DUreader]

10. I have never claimed to be a Democrat. You're reading way more into

my question than you should.

Your thinly veiled accusation is not appreciated.

I have made plenty of angry, emotional replies and posts during

my time at DU but I probably have the record on alerting my own

stuff when I have crossed the line.

What are you?

[11 Bravo]

16. Is a handi-caped person

one who has difficulty getting into their Batman costume?

[TheUnionDemocrat]

5. I guess...

...we can't use the terms "Moron", "Idiot" and "Imbecile" anymore since they are technical terms for differing levels of mental illness?

Where does the PC crap stop?

[WilliamPitt]

11. I have family members

who suffer from schizophrenia. If anyone was going to be sensitive about the reference, it would be me. I fear, though, that this would be too much sensitivity. Think about it. Don't say:

That's crazy

That's insane

That's nuts

or any number of phrases that might offend a sick person.

I'm OK with it.

:tinfoilhat:

[quinnox]

12. I like the tinfoil hat reference

It comes from the movie "Signs".

[OKNancy]

14. Nah came some time ago

First time I saw it used was maybe ten years ago. Some guy thinks that aliens are getting to his brain, so he says that to ward of the bad alien waves one has to wear a tin foil hat to bounce off the alien brain scan.

Edit to add...if you want to see some weird ones, go to Usenet and check out alt.alien-visitors.

[TheUnionDemocrat]

17. Exactly...

It's been around for a LOOOOOONG time.

[Iverson]

13. DUreader, consider this.

When someone refers to Reagan or Quyale or innumberable other Republicans as "cognitively impaired," it is a comment on their values and judgement. It could be understood in a narrow technical sense of slamming the disabled, but clearly that is a stretch.

My point is that the meaning depends upon the context. What do you say?

[DUreader]

15. As usual I have not been very clear. The reference is so prevalent here

I know people aren't intending something harsh most of the time, and

when they are it shows.

I wonder how many even know where the reference comes from.

I didn't see this movie people are talking about, but it is not the

origin of the term.

[Room101]

18. Tin foil is from the movie Signs, not a put down!!!

It's so they can't get in your head(i.e. propagada)

[maxanne]

19. around here

it's clearly shorthand for conspiracy theory. I'm sure many DU'ers are aware of the link between tinfoil, paranoia, and mental illness.

My mother has paranoid delusions - caused by alcohol related brain damage. She thinks people follow her and listen in on her conversations - tinfoil may well be in her future.

I'm not offended :shrug:

[Bethtany]

20. Magnets

Some friends of mine use magnets too.