Are you 100% certain he's not just a (flat)world-class troll? Perhaps there was some wager going on behind your back? Anyway, I always wondered, what the flat-earthers give as the reason for all this conspiracy? I mean, where's all the money for the New World Order/Illuminati/Reptilians/Aliens/Xenu in fooling people like that for no other apparent reason?
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Im afraid it's rare for a coherent reason for a conspiracy - "Because, reasons" is the most common I hear. Either the Bourgeoise or the lizardmen want world domination, big pharma wants a profit, or the New World Order wants a crack at the world domination thing before the people from venus get here. In other words: "pick a comic book villian" - their motives are probably better defined than the illuminati.
Sometimes "the reason for the conspiracy is secret" will suffice!
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Again,
Poe's law When I mentioned it to others it turned out he has brought it up before at club meetings and talks involving satellites, going so far as to argue with the guy we got in to give the talk.
He also has several other unconventional beliefs and is into paganism - hangs around with a few other druids when he's not with us. It's a genuine delusional pattern of thinking rather than actual malevolence; plus he's quite an elderly gent, so it's difficult to be
too harsh on him - but at the same time, it is utterly infuriating when faced with such denialism of such basic facts; especially when you see it in an acquaintance!
And, in other news, actual snake-oil has been spotted: "oxygenated water" - it's better for your brain apparently! You just add a few drops of oxylift to your water bottle and...
poof! Magic! (Though it works better if you buy the book as well!)
To wit: "A highly efficient synergistic blend of powerful nutritional supplements providing the body with oxygen, hydrogen, structured water, etheric respiration energies, major and trace minerals, enzymes, and amino acids."
"The drops should be placed in a cool liquid, such as pure juice or water. As you get acclimated to having an increase of necessary nutrients that may have been missing for a long time, slowly and gradually increase the daily serving to 8 drops taken 3 times per day, or a total of 24 drops per day. On average it is best not to exceed a total of 50 drops per day long-term unless under the care of a therapist skilled in the oxidative modalities. Avoid taking late in the evening since wakefulness may result."
So! If it's not working - just add more! Only £20 for a... is that a 20ml bottle? £1 for a ml of water? Wow, thats literally 500'000x the going rate! (£0.002 / 1L for tap water vs £1000/1L for oxylift)
What a load of... wait why is this now stocked in my local corner shop :S