The Daily Click ::. Forums ::. Misc Chat ::. How do you deal with...
 

Post Reply  Post Oekaki 
 

Posted By Message

Silveraura

God's God

Registered
  08/08/2002
Points
  6747

Game of the Week WinnerKlikCast StarAlien In Training!VIP Member360 OwnerWii OwnerSonic SpeedThe Cake is a LieComputerChristmas Tree!
I am an April Fool
14th October, 2009 at 15:29:15 -

Right, so I'm currently staying with a friend of mine - he's older, probably around he's 40's or something, and he seems to be very high strung about this huge conspiracy theory that says what you'd normally expect your average conspiracy theorist to say. Stuff like, the government is constantly watching and spying on you. They want to control your minds, they want to track you, and they can make you do whatever they want. Anytime I try to talk to him, he listens to me, seems to understand me, and I'll even take him step by step and he'll agree with me all the way up until the conclusion. He refuses to listen to reason, and it's actually gotten as bad as him putting stuff in front of TV sensors because he believes that they're watching us through the infred sensors. Anytime I try to talk to him about legit sources or reasons as to why his theories don't make much sense, he insists that they're all in on it. In fact, it took me a few days just to convince him to let me buy cable TV/Internet because he believed that Comcast was watching everything through the fiber optics. Another big problem is, anytime you corner him into a question he can't answer, he brings up his strong faith with God, for being the reason as to why he can't answer it. That takes us on to a completely different argument, because I'm an atheist, but that's besides the point though.

Theres really no place else I can stay, and he's a nice guy and all, so I guess what I'm asking is... how do you deal with someone like this? Do you just let it go? Is there really anything you can say to someone like this, that will make them listen to reason?

 
http://www.facebook.com/truediamondgame

Rob Rule

Rusten Crating

Registered
  22/12/2007
Points
  532
14th October, 2009 at 16:12:53 -

He's clearly a nut, not least because he's a forty year old man with 19 year old friends.

Seriously though, with the paranoia and all, he's clearly mentally ill, and I doubt there are any soundbites you'll be able to say to him that'll snap him out of it. Try and steer him toward seeing a professional if you care, which will (hopefully) start a slow and methodical therapy scheme to help him sort his skull out.

 
It'll all blow over.

UrbanMonk

BRING BACK MITCH

Registered
  07/07/2008
Points
  49566

Has Donated, Thank You!Little Pirate!ARGH SignKliktober Special Award TagPicture Me This Round 33 Winner!The Outlaw!VIP MemberHasslevania 2!I am an April FoolKitty
Picture Me This Round 32 Winner!Picture Me This Round 42 Winner!Picture Me This Round 44 Winner!Picture Me This Round 53 Winner!
14th October, 2009 at 16:28:33 -

You will never be able to convice him that he's wrong.

People like that get on my nerves especially when they also claim to beleive in God and use him as an excuse when they can't answer simple quesions about their theories.

If they truly beleived in God they shouldn't be confused in the first place because the Bible says satain is the author of confusion.
You could try telling him that, however he could just come back and say he's not the one confused.

The best stratigy is to ignore it and he'll edventually forget about it. (hopefully)

 
n/a

Rob Rule

Rusten Crating

Registered
  22/12/2007
Points
  532
14th October, 2009 at 17:28:33 -


Originally Posted by UrbanMonk

If they truly beleived in God they shouldn't be confused in the first place because the Bible says satain is the author of confusion.
You could try telling him that, however he could just come back and say he's not the one confused.



Yeah, you could say that, but then you also probably shouldn't, because it's one of the weakest arguments ever. How exactly does Satan being the author of confusion and them being confused about something undermine their belief in God in any way?

Also, not trying to rip into you or anything, but the very worst strategy would be to ignore someone's illness.

Edited by Rob Rule

 
It'll all blow over.

UrbanMonk

BRING BACK MITCH

Registered
  07/07/2008
Points
  49566

Has Donated, Thank You!Little Pirate!ARGH SignKliktober Special Award TagPicture Me This Round 33 Winner!The Outlaw!VIP MemberHasslevania 2!I am an April FoolKitty
Picture Me This Round 32 Winner!Picture Me This Round 42 Winner!Picture Me This Round 44 Winner!Picture Me This Round 53 Winner!
14th October, 2009 at 19:00:02 -

I really don't know this person. All I know about this person is based on the information I've been given.

You are absolutly right. He's seems to have the Paranoia Disorder based on the discription: http://home.iprolink.co.nz/~felicity/PARANOID-DISORDER.pdf
I'd get him help.

The stament I made about God wasn't meant to undermind his belief in God. It was meant to use it against the theory in general. As in: "You shouldn't worry about whether or not anyone's watching you because it's only making you confused." You are right it's not a strong argument, and he needs treatment.

Anyways Rob Rule don't worry about ripping into me. I was certainly wrong. I was responding in anger because this guy also beleives in God. It's kinda personal with me beacuse we had someone like that start coming to our church, and to make a long story short he's in prison now, and he was dignosed with the paranoia illness as well.

 
n/a

Ricky

loves Left For Dead 2

Registered
  28/12/2006
Points
  4175

Has Donated, Thank You!Game of the Week WinnerVIP MemberWii OwnerHero of TimeGOTM Winner! - November 2009I am an April Fool
14th October, 2009 at 21:20:05 -

Show him google earth. He'll poop his pants.

 
-

Cecilectomy

noPE

Registered
  19/03/2005
Points
  305

Has Donated, Thank You!VIP MemberWeekly Picture Me This Winner!Cardboard BoxGhostbuster!Pokemon Ball!ComputerBox RedSanta HatSnowman
I am an April Fool
15th October, 2009 at 01:15:57 -


Originally Posted by Ricky Garces
Show him google earth. He'll poop his pants.



here here

 
n/a

Cecilectomy

noPE

Registered
  19/03/2005
Points
  305

Has Donated, Thank You!VIP MemberWeekly Picture Me This Winner!Cardboard BoxGhostbuster!Pokemon Ball!ComputerBox RedSanta HatSnowman
I am an April Fool
15th October, 2009 at 01:18:51 -

hes obviously out of his mind. get him on some meds dude.

 
n/a

UrbanMonk

BRING BACK MITCH

Registered
  07/07/2008
Points
  49566

Has Donated, Thank You!Little Pirate!ARGH SignKliktober Special Award TagPicture Me This Round 33 Winner!The Outlaw!VIP MemberHasslevania 2!I am an April FoolKitty
Picture Me This Round 32 Winner!Picture Me This Round 42 Winner!Picture Me This Round 44 Winner!Picture Me This Round 53 Winner!
15th October, 2009 at 04:04:20 -


Originally Posted by Ricky Garces
Show him google earth. He'll poop his pants.





 
n/a

alastair john jack

BANNED

Registered
  01/10/2004
Points
  294

GOTW WINNER CUP 1!GOTW WINNER CUP 2!GOTW WINNER CUP 3!VIP MemberMushroomI am an April Fool
15th October, 2009 at 10:03:33 -

he's just trying to have fun, he probably secretly laughs at you because you think he is being serious.

 
lol

Muz



Registered
  14/02/2002
Points
  6499

VIP MemberI'm on a BoatI am an April FoolHonored Admin Alumnus
15th October, 2009 at 10:20:37 -

Someone in my country put it this way.. why are people so worried about privacy? If they really have nothing to hide, then they shouldn't be worried. After all, God is watching everything they do. A pious person wouldn't be afraid of the government and such controlling them; God has more power over them.

Besides, what's the worst they can do, even if they watch you? Even if the government sees what you're doing, they can't do anything. If you're really a good, law-abiding person, all they're doing is taking care of you. If they could make you do anything, there wouldn't be any crime.


Hah, he's isn't being insensible, though. The government is not really watching you, it's the big companies that are for market research. You'd be surprised how much you could interpolate from energy and water usage. The CTO of a certain company used it to calculate "if the laundry was piling up" We don't even need to put cameras or make you fill forms. Even when you buy a burger, they take info of you for market research. When you use the toaster, the sudden energy spike shows that you're near a high-powered device. Being an electrical engineer is awesome

 
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.

Image

Rob Rule

Rusten Crating

Registered
  22/12/2007
Points
  532
15th October, 2009 at 10:53:57 -

I hate the 'If you've got nothing to hide, why would you object?' sentiment. I object because it mocks the 'innocent until proven guilty' principle and gives the government - a body that works for the people - excessive authority and control over the individual. That's pretty much how I see it. I mean, the 'if you've got nothing to hide...' line is almost accusatory in itself!

 
It'll all blow over.

Sketchy

Cornwall UK

Registered
  06/11/2004
Points
  1970

VIP MemberWeekly Picture Me This Round 43 Winner!Weekly Picture Me This Round 47 WinnerPicture Me This Round 49 Winner!
15th October, 2009 at 16:53:06 -

I think it's like "innocent (but under suspicion), until proven guilty" - and personally, I don't have a problem with that.

I don't like the idea of companies collecting information on me, to sell to other companies - but that's because I feel like I'm entitled to be getting a cut of that money.

Classic example is the DVLA (which is a government agency) selling drivers' details to privately owned car parks, so that they can send parking fines to their home addresses. Sure, if you park illegally, then you should expect to be fined, but the DVLA charge £5+ to supply the information, which is far too much to be just an "administration" fee - they are making a very substantial profit.

 
n/a

Marko

I like you You like you

Registered
  08/05/2008
Points
  2804

Has Donated, Thank You!Game of the Week WinnerVIP Member360 OwnerDos Rules!Happy FellahCrazy EvilI am an April FoolGingerbread House
15th October, 2009 at 19:19:57 -

I agree with both of the above comments

 
Image

Subliminal Dreams. . ., daily gaming news and the home of Mooneyman Studios!
www.mooneyman-studios.webs.com

Marko

I like you You like you

Registered
  08/05/2008
Points
  2804

Has Donated, Thank You!Game of the Week WinnerVIP Member360 OwnerDos Rules!Happy FellahCrazy EvilI am an April FoolGingerbread House
15th October, 2009 at 19:21:56 -

As for your friend, i would have told him to f*** off by now, he's clearly not all there. But the right thing to do is the professional help option which i imagine is what you probably will end up doing, judging by your (internet) character.

 
Image

Subliminal Dreams. . ., daily gaming news and the home of Mooneyman Studios!
www.mooneyman-studios.webs.com

Dr. James MD

Addict

Registered
  08/12/2003
Points
  11941

First GOTW AwardSecond GOTW AwardThird GOTW AwardPicture Me This -Round 26- Winner!
15th October, 2009 at 20:01:11 -

He definitely needs some kind of medical or therapy help. Make it so!

 
Image
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=j--8iXVv2_U
On the sixth day God created Manchester
"You gotta get that sand out your vaj!" x13
www.bossbaddie.com

Marko

I like you You like you

Registered
  08/05/2008
Points
  2804

Has Donated, Thank You!Game of the Week WinnerVIP Member360 OwnerDos Rules!Happy FellahCrazy EvilI am an April FoolGingerbread House
15th October, 2009 at 20:31:12 -


Originally Posted by Dr. James
He definitely needs some kind of medical or therapy help. Make it so!


... Number One!

Image

Edited by Marko

 
Image

Subliminal Dreams. . ., daily gaming news and the home of Mooneyman Studios!
www.mooneyman-studios.webs.com

aphant



Registered
  18/05/2008
Points
  1242
17th October, 2009 at 08:43:48 -

Man, what a loon. The government isn't watching you. They've got better things to do with their time like... Govern stuff. Same goes with mind control. OooOOoOoooh, power of free will basically craps all over that. He's crazy. But crazy is just the stuff humour is made out of, so read some of this comedy gold. Crazy people are so funny.

http://www.cracked.com/article/150_5-ways-youre-secretly-being-monitored/
http://www.cracked.com/blog/five-fun-facts-about-the-cia-and-lsd/
http://www.cracked.com/blog/3-scientific-breakthroughs-in-real-life-mind-control/

 

UrbanMonk

BRING BACK MITCH

Registered
  07/07/2008
Points
  49566

Has Donated, Thank You!Little Pirate!ARGH SignKliktober Special Award TagPicture Me This Round 33 Winner!The Outlaw!VIP MemberHasslevania 2!I am an April FoolKitty
Picture Me This Round 32 Winner!Picture Me This Round 42 Winner!Picture Me This Round 44 Winner!Picture Me This Round 53 Winner!
17th October, 2009 at 15:58:01 -

I've heard about the printer tracking in the first link.

I've always thought that was to stop people from creating counterfeit money.

 
n/a

-Dark Martin-

The dark is most certainly not your friend

Registered
  05/06/2008
Points
  21

Has Donated, Thank You!KlikCast StarSonic SpeedWii Owner360 Owner
18th October, 2009 at 14:14:29 -

He sounds exactly like my dad.o_O

He even talks to his cats as well...

Good thing i moved out when i did.

 
<a href="http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/Martin_Bodger/?action=view¤t=signature_stripcopy.png" target="_blank">Image

Liquixcat

Administrator
Lazy Coder

Registered
  08/12/2002
Points
  201

VIP MemberLikes TDCKitty
16th November, 2009 at 14:30:38 -

Unfortunatly, most of the time, it's guilty until proven innocent. Honestly, it is.

On the same page though: That sort of thinking is usually linked to a psychological inbalance caused by some sort of inproper significance to certain feelings that were inplanted at an early age. He probably has a huge problem conveying any rationalities towards such things as love, trust, etc... There is two things you can do, and either one will be just as in-effective:

Ignore it, stop talking to him about it as that is just fuel for the fire.
Get him help.

If I were you, I'd tried to find a more balanced living situation.

 
thinking is like pong, it's easy, but you miss sometimes.

Muz



Registered
  14/02/2002
Points
  6499

VIP MemberI'm on a BoatI am an April FoolHonored Admin Alumnus
16th November, 2009 at 15:00:06 -

This thread is full of dangerous advice. Not bad, but dangerous.

The Daily Click is not responsible for any harm that comes from listening to its forum members

 
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.

Image

lembi2001



Registered
  01/04/2005
Points
  608

VIP MemberIt's-a me, Mario!Wii OwnerI like Aliens!Has Donated, Thank You!PS3 OwnerI am an April Fool
16th November, 2009 at 15:22:02 -

Make him a Tin Foil hat just for the fun of it

In all seriousness move out or get him sectioned before he does something very bad.

 
n/a

The Chris Street

Administrator
Unspeakably Lazy Admin

Registered
  14/05/2002
Points
  48487

Game of the Week WinnerClickzine StaffAcoders MemberKlikCast StarVIP MemberPicture Me This Round 35 Winner!Second GOTW AwardYou've Been Circy'd!Picture Me This Round 38 Winner!GOTM December Third Place!!
I am an April FoolKliktober Special Award Tag
17th November, 2009 at 17:56:15 -

It could be a number of conditions the guy has, from simple paranoia to the more paranoid schizophrenia. I've worked with such people and the best way to deal with this is to simply let him believe what he wants to believe. You're not a psychologist, just a friend, and telling him he's crazy could well make him do and say more reckless things. Maybe ask him to show you the information that he uncovered.

It also depends on how much you want to get involved, because it can be far too easy to get drawn into a situation like this. Despite the fact that his beliefs are out of sync with reality, they are still his beliefs. If you don't want to get too involved I would do either one of two things - go along with what he tells you but perhaps try and gradually pick apart his reasoning - don't do it all at once otherwise his world will crash around him and he won't know what's real and what's not. Maybe focus on one small part of his delusion. The other thing you could do is to either move out or contact a psycologist with your concerns, but they may well say that he needs to turn up of his own free will.

 
n/a
   

Post Reply



 



Advertisement

Worth A Click