[dsego]

As my parents are getting older (nearing their 60s) it's being more difficult to talk about some subjects. They started believing all sorts of ridiculous stuff, even read Icke's books. It's hard to argue with someone who questions reason itself. It's even more difficult knowing they're teachers, well educated, liberal and open minded usually. They buy into the whole alternative medicine, all sorts of natural cures for cancer, even more bogus explanations about cancer causes. They believe this stuff even when it contradicts itself, how can you believe that cancer comes from high acid levels in the body or emotional conflicts, and then also be afraid of EM radiation? They believe in the sincerity and good intentions of people who publish this alternative material but they are extremely suspicious of "main-stream" science. Anyone having similar experience?

[run4yourlives]

The irony in your comment is kicking me in the face through the computer screen.

[dsego]

Please enlighten me.

[run4yourlives]

As per the article: You are not in anyway immune to the same processes that you are complaining your parents are beholden to.

Your views and experiences are reinforcing your own beliefs that your parents are not accepting the "facts" you know. Seeing one side as "unreasonable" to logic while your view is "obvious" is exactly the type of behaviour the article is attempting to underline.

The article also answers your question directly.

[dsego]

Maybe I should re-read the article, but I have a need to further explain my line of thought. I myself have no need to hold strong beliefs. I tend to accept overwhelming evidence from sources that seem credible and I will often juggle opposing views, perhaps even never forming a firm opinion on a subject. But I see a lot of people struggling with that, like never choosing a side or forming a conclusion will kill them or something. It's the same when people think never changing opinions (e.g. political) is a sign of good character.

Also, I am more interested in technology, science, nature etc. than other people and their lives. It seems that my parents', but maybe even the majority of "ordinary" folk's lives, revolves around what other people say, think or do. So much so, they interpret everybody's actions as intentional and try to explain a person's motives and will paint somebody's character based on some trivial event. For example, if I forget to call them, they'll perhaps discuss for hours how ungrateful and selfish I am and fabricate detailed explanations for my actions, e.g. how maybe my girlfriend's mother is pulling me away from them or something like that (I heard such stories from my brother).

In short, people try to find a (hidden) motive behind every action and think there always has to be one. I think it is this way of thinking and functioning that creates a fertile ground for conspiracy theorists.