Conspiracy Theorists and Other Enemies of Science

Journalist Will Storr recently wrote a book called The Heretics: Adventures With The Enemies Of Science which explores why so many conspiracy theorists seem to have trouble accepting facts... even when those facts are right in front of them.

This is an interesting subject and one which I've explored myself - which is why I'm certain this book would be an interesting read (the book was just published this week and I haven't had a chance to read it yet). Chris Parsons over at Yahoo! News wrote an article about the book entitled "Exploring the minds of Holocaust deniers and UFO-spotters who deny common sense".

Parsons' article begins:

"Will Storr is a man who deals in facts. As a journalist of more than 10 years, undeniable evidence and rational data are his bread and butter.

There are groups of people, however, who deny the irrefutable; who see cold, hard facts as mistruths or simply inconvenient.

Whether they are Holocaust deniers, creationists, or those who believe in UFOs - there are plenty out there whose view of the world defies centuries of scientific evidence. 

So why are there intelligent, seemingly rational people like this, who are capable of such unreasonable logic?"

Although I do agree with much of what Parsons wrote in his piece I would take issue with his statement that speaks of "intelligent, seemingly rational people", because the truth of the matter is conspiracy theorists are the farthest thing from rational. I might even debate whether most of these people are intelligent, although perhaps my personal bias is due to the lack of intelligence presented by the typical antivaccinationist. Rationality however... well there isn't much room for debate on that point. Not only do antivaxxers trample upon basic common sense, but they do so with impunity almost as if they have no desire to engage in any sort of discussion which may require it.

Either way, Storr's book might help shed some light on the thought processes that so many conspiracy theorists seem to share even when faced with evidence that counters their opinions. Unfortunately, Storr didn't include antivaxxers within his book that I've seen, but the same lack of logic and unreasonable nature most certainly applies to all conspiracy theorists regardless of form.

Whether it is someone who denies the moon landings, a Sandy Hook conspiracy theorist, a 9/11 "truther", an antivaxxer, or simply someone who believes Lee Harvey Oswald was innocent they all seem to share several things in common - a blatant disregard for logic, a stubborn refusal to accept facts when presented to them, and an complete and total inability to admit when they are wrong.

I wonder what it might take to get an antivaxxer to review Storr's book? If you are interested, you can pick up a hardcover copy from Amazon, or if you are patient you can probably wait for the paperback or (hopefully) even the ebook version.

Yet Another Identity for Mr. Hubbs

Recently Mr. Hubbs has decided to switch his username he uses to post comments to the Argus Leader website and he is now going by the name of “Placebo-X”.

Of course Mr. Hubbs denies that he is using the “Placebo-X” username because he doesn’t want others to know he has had to switch names yet again. When confronted with his latest name change, he even went so far to claim it was a “wild accusation”, but unfortunately for Mr. Hubbs this is just the latest example of his ever-present dishonesty.

What happened Mr. Hubbs… was the Truthstorm name banned from the Argus Leader site for your continual violations of the terms of service? Was the Wildman440 name banned before that? Were any of your other multiple usernames banned or do you just like to change names to fool people into thinking there is more than one vaccine conspiracy theorist posting on the Argus Leader website?  Is it just a coincidence that your previous Argus Leader usernames no longer post any comments and instead we see the same comments being posted by Placebo-X?  Don't bother answering Mr. Hubbs... we already know the answers.

The reality is there are several facts that allow us to identify Mr. Hubbs as being Placebo-X even though he pretends it isn’t him. First, we have Placebo-X’s comments about 9/11 conspiracy theories:

"When they can explain why there were NO Norad Jets in the sky anywhere near the planes of 9-11, then we may start believing what we are told. 53 planes flew off course in that same area prior to 9-11, all were diverted back to a safe landing. When they can explain what Cheney was actually doing that day, then many of us they claim are only conspiracy theorists, will start to believe what our gov't tells us. When they can explain how building 7 fell exactly the same way in its own footprint, never having been hit by any aircraft, then we will start to believe a little of what we are told." ~Placebo-X (aka Lowell K. Hubbs)

"just like 9-11 itself, there are and will remain many unanswered questions, but the public is so easily swayed by the main stream news." ~Placebo-X (aka Lowell K. Hubbs)

Sure seems to align with Mr. Hubbs previous statements about 9/11 doesn’t it? In fact previous quotes from Mr. Hubbs himself have included “Find out where Dick Cheney was on 9-11, and what he was doing” and “Does it also bother anyone that Blg. #7 fell that day and no plane hit it”. He also has stated: “How could previous to 9-11, 52 accidently [sic] off course planes, be diverted by military fighter jets safely back to an airport, yet two jumbo jets on 9-11 got through”.

Coincidence? Not likely.

Then we have several comments from Placebo-X about how WebMD and other sources of information are biased, yet he links to numerous other sources as if he is the only person capable of providing unbiased information. Where have we seen that tactic before?

In a series of stories about the men who killed a prison guard, Placebo-X doesn’t offer sympathy for the killed man or his family, but rather he makes statements blaming the warden rather than the murderers such as the following:

“And when will we hear more about why the warden and his staff allowed two known violent and former excapees [sic] to be working nearly unsupervised in a minimal security area? The incompetence in that happening is nearly astounding.” ~Placebo-X (aka Lowell K. Hubbs)

“We don't need any letters praising the warden at this time! The fact is he allowed two men to work in a laundry dept. in a minimally supervised and under staffed area.” ~Placebo-X (aka Lowell K. Hubbs)

“Perhaps you will want to explain why those two men were allowed to be in Pheasant Industries, the least secure facility on the entire prison grounds? It has little to no more security than the trusty unit! Perhaps Mr. Weber needs to travel to some real prisons to learn how to do his job properly Are you telling me that there are circumstances that we have not been told that excuses what happened? Go ahead and list those?” ~Placebo-X (aka Lowell K. Hubbs)

“Warden Weber needs to go, plain and simple. Find a new job you can actually do!” ~Placebo-X (aka Lowell K. Hubbs)

Keep in mind Warden Weber was in charge when Mr. Hubbs was incarcerated, and Mr. Hubbs later filed suit against Weber. His case was later dismissed on October 13th, 2009, but that doesn’t prevent him from holding a grudge.

And here we have Placebo-X coming to the defense of DUI repeat offenders:

“How about an additional question of does branding a DUI driver with a felony, third offense; really serve the public purpose? […] future of working at minimum wage or barely above. […]many DUI's occur at levels barely above .08, which often means that person was not actually impaired enough to be any real danger”. ~Placebo-X (aka Lowell K. Hubbs)

Questioning punishment for those with multiple DUI convictions makes sense… if you are a man with multiple felony DUI convictions yourself I suppose. As it just so happens, Mr. Hubbs has at least four DUI convictions himself… yet another eerie coincidence? To add to that, Placebo-X seems to think driving drunk at .08 isn’t a huge deal because the person isn’t impaired enough to be of any “real danger”? Are you kidding me? If a 4000 pound vehicle traveling at 75mph and being driven by a person with diminished physical abilities and delayed reaction time isn’t considered to be “real danger” I don’t know what is.

In addition to this, Mr. Hubbs… excuse me “Placebo-X”, actually referenced his own… er, Mr. Hubbs’ blog in reference to one of my comments, which seems innocent enough until you realize that searching for my Argus username won’t actually produce that blog in any “research” that he claims to have performed and thus the only way to find that blog is to know it exists in the first place. He then goes on to reference his very own website as a source during one of his rants about herd immunity, as well as referencing his friend Mr. Rall’s chiropractic website that he has done so many times in the past. Not too bright are you Mr. Hubbs.

Then of course we have Placebo-X calling people “sheeple” which is obviously a common trait for Mr. Hubbs, and we have the same common spelling and grammatical errors and telltale sentence structure. But what really seals the deal is Placebo-X’s stance on vaccinations which include the following quotes:

“Stop packing their arms full of endless toxic vaccinations and aluminum and they might have a better chance of learning what they need to. As well end the endless ADD/ADHD drugging of those children and they will learn better as well.” ~Placebo-X (aka Lowell K. Hubbs)

“How many people has modern medicine and vaccinations killed and messed up????” ~Placebo-X (aka Lowell K. Hubbs)

“the pharmaceutical merry go round that is actually making many people only sicker” ~Placebo-X (aka Lowell K. Hubbs)

“There is absolutely no real science behind the concept of herd immunity. It was coined from the known veterinary concept of natural immunity.” ~Placebo-X (aka Lowell K. Hubbs)

“Why is it that the thousands of children within the Amish Communities that do not vaccinate are so healthy, and do not have epidemics of 1 in 100 cases of autism” ~Placebo-X (aka Lowell K. Hubbs)

Aside from the fact several of the above quotes are identical to what Mr. Hubbs has stated elsewhere (right down to the same exact verbiage selection and sentences) we also see where Placebo-X decided to quote the exact same excerpt from a story on the polio vaccine including a word for word verbatim quote that Mr. Hubbs has used on his very own blog.

The fact is I really don’t have a problem with Mr. Hubbs choosing a unique username – that is his right of course, but I find it incredibly dishonest to openly state it isn’t him and to pretend there is a unique person who just happens to share all of the same opinions, use the same sentences word for word, make the same grammatical errors, and post the messages at the exact same time. As I’ve said before, the fact that Mr. Hubbs has to be dishonest about his motives and that he plays games in order to prop up his own online identities tells us how desperate he has become. He obviously recognizes that he can’t convince anyone of his wild conspiracy theories, so he resorts to pretending there is more than one man of questionable intelligence spouting the same idiotic ideas.

Unfortunately for Lowell Hubbs, once again the curtain was pulled back and instead of finding a Wizard, we have found nothing more than sad, lonely, dishonest, pathetic old man. Touché.

Mr. Hubbs Thoughts on 9/11

As we have discussed in the past, Mr. Hubbs doesn't limit his conspiracy theories to vaccines alone.  Whether it be questioning whether the United States ever landed on the moon, or believing fluoride in drinking water is somehow contributing to a veritable laundry list of medical conditions as well as lowering IQs, Mr. Hubbs is a known proven fan of pretty much any conspiracy theory known to man.

So it should come as no surprise that Mr. Hubbs is also a believer that 9/11 was not the result of terrorists hijacking planes and crashing them into buildings, but rather an inside job caused by bombs inside of the buildings meant to make it look like a terrorist plot.

Now I fully realize that it is hard to believe a second hand source stating what Mr. Hubbs believes, so lets go ahead and just post Mr. Hubbs very own works taken directly from one of his blog pages: 

9/11: Total Proof That Bombs Were Planted In The Buildings!

I am the author of www.lowellsfacts.com One of the most in your face BIG Pharma and anti-vaccination sites you can find! Find me also on youtube. I have seen attempts and execution of email hacks; and attempts to be and get me shut down; being banned from the property and services of a major local hospital; (wrongfully).

This country is controlled by a small but powerful covert group of people worldwide; not all is known but additionally theres [sic] is a connection the WHO, the Rockefelller [sic] Foundation, and the main world banks. Ask George Bush and Dick Cheney, they belong to his highest posts? Find out where Dick Cheney was on 9-11, and what he was doing; easily available information by net general search on the issue of 9-11. There is a small government within our government; even Osama Binladen [sic] knows that. Does it also bother anyone that Blg. #7 fell that day and no plane hit it, and that our gov't has not answered to that?? Go to Youtube.com and view the many videos on 9-11.

There is alot [sic] of proof there were bombs that went off in the basements of those towers on 9-11, and that it has been covered up. Do you know Bushs [sic] brother worked (prior to 9-11), in the twin towers. Why was any of Osama Binladins [sic] family immediately flow out of the country, after 9-11. When you look at pictures of the massive lower level construction of the twin towers, you know there is no way one plane could take that down, and were actually designed to withstand a direct hit by more than one plane. Learn what actually these offices were on the floors directly hit by the planes; and what was wanted destroyed. How could previous to 9-11, 52 accidently [sic] off course planes, be diverted by military fighter jets safely back to an airport, yet two jumbo jets on 9-11 got through while our jets were way out east in the ocean looking for suspected incoming Russian missles [sic]. Our jets and intelligence were entirely fooled by Dick Cheneys, [sic] (at the controls), war games simulations going on that day. Even many of the survivor families now support further investigation... and now!

Enter The New World Order. Dont [sic]think it won't happen. From what I am reading this will not be nor come from our own military but mostly troops from foreign soil. The small armed groups that revolt will not stand a chance; in fact if guns are found you may be shot or interned. Your choice may be comply or go out in a hail of bullets blaze of glory; maybe you can kill a few. ~Lowell Hubbs

So there you have it from the man himself.  Pretty hard to argue he isn't a gigantic conspiracy theorist at this point considering he wrote this himself and published it on his very own site.  Whether it be some crazy ramblings about Dick Cheney and George Bush, accusations about Russian Missiles, or idiotic theories about the WHO and the Rockefeller Foundation, it all adds up to a solid 997 on the 1000 point crazy scale.  Truth be told, it would appear Mr. Hubbs it only a few short points away from living the remainder of his days in a padded room for his own safety - or perhaps more accurately for the safety of others?

Aside from the absolute nonsense in the quoted text above, there are a few other interesting tidbits as well.  First, Mr. Hubbs admits to being "banned from the property and services of a major local hospital".  Just to clear up any confusion on what Lowell Hubbs means by "a major local hospital" this relates to Sanford Health, their main campus, their satellite clinics, and essentially all of their facilities in the entire Sioux Falls area.  So what would lead a multi-billion dollar healthcare system to ban a man from their campus and to refuse to allow him to receive (non-life threatening) treatment from their facilities?

I do know some detail, but my source has asked me politely to refrain from posting it for the fear it could reveal his or her identity.  All I can say is that Mr. Hubbs was asked to leave several times before it got to the point they had to officially ban him from their property.  Security is aware of who he is and aside from receiving emergency treatment he is not to so much as set foot upon their property or try to engage any of their employees.  You can use your imagination on what type of actions a person has to do in order to get banned, or maybe Mr. Hubbs will be so kind as to leave a comment below and try to explain his side of the story (doubtful).

Second, and perhaps even more disturbing than his belief in practically every conspiracy theory ever known, is Mr. Hubbs recommendation that people "go out in a hail of bullets blaze of glory" and the quote suggesting people can "kill a few".

Anyone wish to take a bet on whether or not Mr. Hubbs is already on some type of a watch list for his craziness?  Perhaps I should place a call to Special Agent Matthew Miller here in Sioux Falls before it is too late... because I for one don't want to read a story one day about a madman who went on a rampage at a local hospital only to find out I had my fears long before it ever happened.  Then again I'm 99% certain Special Agent Miller is already fully aware of Mr. Hubbs and his diatribes against any and all things related to the medical or scientific communities, as well as the United States government.

In recent days we have witnessed first hand what one crazed man with an obviously troubled mind can do if given access to a weapon, and although the known felon Mr. Hubbs would in theory be banned from owning firearms due to his criminal record, there is nothing to say he couldn't find other illegal ways of obtaining them, because if we have learned anything about Lowell Hubbs it is that he doesn't exactly feel the laws apply to him.  This is what troubles me most, because it is clear based upon Mr. Hubbs words and his actions that he is not afraid of either engaging in violence, or at the very least inciting violence against others, which is almost as dangerous.

Historically people with troubled or fractured minds such as Mr. Hubbs are ignored until it is too late, but what if one day something triggers him to act and an innocent person or persons is harmed as a result.  This is somewhat of a moral dilemma for me because if I do report Mr. Hubbs and nothing comes from it he will simply believe that the government and everyone else is against him which might actually contribute even more to his delusional behavior.  However if I fail to report him and he creates a name for himself by harming others or performing some other random act of violence, will I hold myself personally responsible for not acting?

The fact is there have been several people personally threatened by Mr. Hubbs when he has his viewpoints challenged with facts, and I'm not the first one to question whether or not he is the type of person to back up his threats with action.  Unfortunately in the world we live in you can never really be too safe, so it goes without saying that I recommend people stay away from Mr. Hubbs as you never know what might set off his erratic behavior. 

The only question is, should we assume he is really all talk and is harmless, or should we assume he could very well be the next Jared Loughner?  The warning signs are all there, so will this be a case of preemptive action, or a case where neighbors are quoted by news media as saying "he was always quiet and kept to himself, so we really didn't know him" after a tragedy occurs and people are searching for answers. 

Feel free to provide your opinions in the comment area below.  If you wish to not have your comment published, please indicate it as such within the message and I will ensure it is kept private.