Many thanks to Hellequin GB for translating this article from AUF1. The translator’s comments are in square brackets:

System media give tips on dealing with “conspiracy theorists”

In the last three years, the term “conspiracy theory” has become the ultimate killer argument, used to smear anyone who dares to contradict the worldview dictated by government and mainstream media. The accusation is so well-suited to effectively undermining the basic right to freedom of expression that left-wing media are now even giving tips on how best to use it in everyday life to silence dissidents.

So “n-tv” now sees itself compelled to provide a comprehensive report on how to deal with alleged conspiracy theorists in the workplace. The pathologization of dissenting views as a kind of disease against which rules of conduct and “hygiene” are recommended has come a long way from the “special treatment” and psychiatrization of political dissidents. [“Hygiene”?Why does this sound so eerily familiar?]

Those who deviate are paranoid

The simple formula here: Anyone who takes critical and questioning positions on things such as globalism, the Great Reset, the background to the big “pandemic” and climate narratives or the active promotion of mass migration is declared a paranoid nutcase. It is claimed that the alleged problem of “conspiracy stories”, according to “n-tv”, has become clear “particularly in the past few years surrounding the Corona pandemic.” However, there is no explanation of how exactly this was expressed.

If you are confronted with something like this in the workplace, “tact and clear boundaries” are required, according to “n-tv”. For support, the social psychologist Pia Lamberty is consulted, who, together with the political scientist Katharina Nocun, wrote the guide “True Facts. What really helps against conspiracy narratives”.

Definitions that fall back on their creators themselves

“Very often we experience that a strong belief in conspiracies goes hand in hand with preaching behavior. Trying to convert others,” Lamberty explained. The fact that according to this definition public service commentators have to be the worst conspiracy theorists is of course not reflected. Instead, it is emphasized that “facts and discussions” would not usually help with the (of course always right-wing nutcase) “conspiracy theorists” because you are dealing with a “closed worldview”. [Although the Grim Reaper’s accounting is flawless, but if it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t fit, especially into their “closed worldview”]

Next comes the usual pitying condescension: It might make sense to seek talks with the “conspiracy theory colleagues” — even without the goal of being able to convince them. Above all, it is about examining: “Where does the person actually stand? How did he/she get there? And how deep is he/she into the subject?” Lamberty continues.

“Therapy” instead of discussing [I believe the Nazis and the Communists had that approach too, now, didn’t they?]

She even recommends counseling centers such as “sect counseling centers” or “specific counseling centers against conspiracy stories or mobile counseling against right-wing extremism.” Incidentally, there do not seem to be any corresponding contact points for left-wing extremism (no wonder, they do not represent conspiracy theories, but pure doctrine).

There were further tips from the Leipzig labor lawyer Hannes Zacher, who recommends consulting the supervisor if conspiracy theorists were to disturb the peace in the company or the customer relationship. The Federal Agency for Civic Education (BPB) also has its own flyer “What to do against conspiracy ideologies? An aid for everyday life, in private or professional life, companies or clubs”, one will be informed further. Here, too, it is pretended that those who think differently need to be treated instead of debating with them as equals. [Especially when these people present facts that are coming from their own government. We can’t have facts interfere with the Narrative, now, can we?]

Almost everything has turned out to be true

Significantly, the “n-tv” contribution, like numerous related articles in the German media thicket, does not even bother to define what is actually meant by a “conspiracy theory”, who has the right to define it and why it had experienced a heyday during Corona. Actually, the opposite is the case: practically all conspiracy theories about Corona have now come true or have been confirmed as correct or even understated.

In fact, at the time, anyone who raised suspicions that the virus had been grown in a lab in China, that the restrictions such as lockdowns and school closures were totally disproportionate and useless, or that the vaccines were approved far too quickly and were neither effective nor free of side effects, was defamed as a dangerous, anti-scientific and Corona-denying conspiracy theorist. In the meantime, the skeptics and opponents of the time have been proven right in countless studies.

Hollow weasel word

Those who shouted “Conspirators” yesterday must either sheepishly admit their mistake or keep their mouths shut. To this day, there has not been an apology or even a rehabilitation for those who have been slandered — and there is a good reason for that: in fact, all the official ideologies of Corona, trans and climate madness and which so often blatantly violate common sense, are purely selectively invoked “Science” that they are increasingly reliant on stigmatizing or even criminalizing dissent.

The topos of the conspiracy theory remains the most popular means. However, it is a completely hollow weasel word that can be used for anything and everything. Conspirators are always the others, and just like the once-honorable term “Querdenker/lateral thinker”, the term is part of the verbal collateral damage of the Corona hysteria because it has been completely robbed of its meaning.

Afterword from the translator:

Although the truth has never hurt anyone — except the one who speaks it — it’s frowned upon as something dangerous to “modern” society and must therefore be eradicated as heresy. There is simply no prudence to counter the stupidity that is in fashion.

“Heil Corona,” cried the mainstream media And everyone joined in… Just like it was back then, it is now…

Later everyone will say that they had been against it. It’s nice to go with the flow, even when the waterfall is nearby and you can hear the water roaring going over the cliffs edge.