this post was submitted on 03 Feb 2024
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National security officials are used to shaking off absurd conspiracy theories, but the latest rumor that’s gripped MAGA world just hits different.

The claims by Fox News and far-right influencers that pop star Taylor Swift is part of a Pentagon “psychological operation” to get President Joe Biden reelected, and somehow rig the Super Bowl to benefit Kansas City Chiefs tight end (and Swift’s boyfriend) Travis Kelce, has been met with forehead slaps in the national security world.

“The absurdity of it all boggles the mind,” said one senior administration official, granted anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly on the matter. “It feels like one of those ‘tell me you are a MAGA conspiracy theorist, without telling me you are a MAGA conspiracy theorist’ memes.”

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[–] foggy@lemmy.world 43 points 9 months ago (5 children)

When we look back on this era what are we going to say drove them to this? Like, we explain the Salem witch trials by saying that there was ergot in the water which likely had them hallucinating.

What is it now? Is TikTok this much of a problem? Is there ergot in the water? What the hell is happening...

[–] Xbeam@lemmy.world 36 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Maybe lead and micro-plastics? But that's just a guess.

[–] SharkAttak@kbin.social 33 points 9 months ago

Lead in the water, micro plastics in the food, Reagan in the air.

[–] foggy@lemmy.world 9 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Plausible. It seems apparent that this is something that's been introduced into basically all humans water supply in the last 50 years. I'm sure it's been getting worse and worse as time has gone on, and it could be that we are at a critical mass where it is starting to affect behaviors en masse.

[–] MegaUltraChicken@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago

Yeah "deliberately making ourselves too stupid to survive" sounds about right for some shit we'd pull off.

[–] ImplyingImplications@lemmy.ca 10 points 9 months ago

we explain the Salem witch trials by saying that there was ergot in the water which likely had them hallucinating

Witch trials were ways for powerful people to get rid of those who challenged the established system. These conspiracies are the same as they've always been.

Fox News leaders aren't pushing these stories because they're high. It's because they're billionaires who don't want to lose their power and control. Just like in the time of witch trials, these powerful people are spreading fear, doubt, and confusion in order to distract the masses from giving too much attention to meddling people making troublesome arguments against the current system.

[–] SlopppyEngineer@lemmy.world 10 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Possibly how all the different crises like inequality, climate, capitalism, pollution all converged. People sought quick solutions and some leaders gave them solutions that were ready, quick and wrong. Blaming others went to cult like heights. Until it all collapsed.

[–] foggy@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago (1 children)

All of these things contribute to it, yes, but I do think that there is a level of absurdity to what we are witnessing that is not adequately explained simply by coercion. Perhaps I'm wrong.

[–] SlopppyEngineer@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

Humans do whacky shit on a regular basis, certainly if they don't really understand what's going on. Cargo cults come to mind.

[–] surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Tiktok? If you find someone who isn't a swifty on Tiktok, they probably won't survive long.

This nonsense comes from Fox and truth social.

[–] foggy@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Didn't Andrew Tate rise on TikTok?

[–] surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago

I think he was YouTube. Tiktok is very short form content.

That said, the only time I've ever seen that guy's face is in a mugshot, so I could be wrong.