Why This Blog?
Why This Blog?
Why does this blog exist? Why debunk Thrive?
I am a steadfast and outspoken opponent of conspiracy theories. By “conspiracy theories” I mean, explanations for events or conditions that stress unsupported and unsupportable allegations of collusion or design by groups of persons or organizations to achieve a particular result. (See the FAQ for more on what I consider “conspiracy theories”). The advancement of conspiracy theories, in my view, results in the impairment of a person’s ability to think critically, to employ logic, and to evaluate information correctly. Conspiracy theories are corrosive to reason and intellect and they are extremely damaging to the type of reasoned and rationally-based discourse that is essential to the ability of the people to govern themselves in a democratic society.
The movie Thrive advances conspiracy theories. The makers of this film assert numerous conspiracies that simply do not exist—for example, a collusion of energy producers to suppress “free energy” technology, a supposed plot to fake the 9/11 attacks, and a “global elite” that secretly rules the world and conceals its true identity and motives. That’s not a comprehensive list, but those are just three examples of conspiracy theories advanced in the movie Thrive. None of these conspiracy theories, nor the others in the film, are supported by facts. I’m making this blog because I believe people should understand how and why the conspiracy theories advanced in Thrive are incorrect, and I believe they should be able to evaluate the arguments presented in Thrive while understanding the true facts behind the assertions made in the film.
Internet-based films with a “viral” marketing approach that advance conspiracy theories—as Thrive takes—are particularly important to analyze and expose, in my view. History has shown that belief in particular conspiracy theories has grown as a direct result of “viral” Internet-distributed films advancing them. The two paradigm examples are Loose Change (2005) and Zeitgeist: The Movie (2007). Both of these films attracted large and devoted followings of people who believed the conspiracy theories that the movies advanced. It is my hope that by presenting factual information about Thrive, fewer people will be tempted to believe its claims unquestioningly.
I believe Internet conspiracy movies are especially problematic for the following reasons:
1. They present their assertions in a compelling, visually interesting and emotionally engaging manner that simply can’t be matched by another medium.
2. The medium of film offers very little time or opportunity to present detailed explanations of extremely complex or nuanced events. Consequently, the assertions made are usually conclusory and not well-explained.
3. Being promoted primarily on the Internet, these films are specifically targeted to command attention in an arena where information is generally not vetted or subjected to any sort of rigorous gatekeeping standard. As a result, assertions made in films like these, even egregiously incorrect assertions, are unlikely to be challenged.
This blog is not intended to do any of the following.
- Defend a particular economic system or theory (such as capitalism).
- Assert that “the government is always right.” (It isn’t).
- Accuse the makers of Thrive of being occultist, part of the “New World Order” or participants in other conspiracy theories. (Remember, I oppose conspiracy theories, including ones that Thrive might be accused of being a part of).
See the FAQ for more information.
48 Responses to “Why This Blog?”
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- - January 28, 2012
- - April 20, 2012
Thank you for undertaking this. So many people buy into whatever is presented to them as long as the packaging seems nice and they seem reasonable. Most of us do not have the time, energy or expertise to refute arguments of people who give so much of their lives (and livelihood) to the development of such and such arguments. What really intrigues me is why, what’s their agenda? To gain notoriety, money, or what?
You’re welcome. I’m not sure what the motivations are of the makers of Thrive. People who push conspiracy theories do so for a wide range of reasons. Whatever their motivation, I hope that this blog can help separate fact from fiction and hopefully get some people to question their harmful beliefs about conspiracy theories.
They push them b/c they are after the truth. Some people can see, some can’t. Having been around the world & lived on 4 continents AND having bore witness to the several things that you are trying to debunk my most favorable guess is just that:
1) you are someone who really just does not know & refuses to know b/c it will mean a HUGE shift in your personal paradigms, (in that case I have hope for you that one day, maybe not even in this lifetime you will awake up);
OR my worst guess
2) you are a witting or unwitting “agent” for the darkside who feels his purpose in life is to try & tear down anything that would lead to any sort of freedom on any plane of existence, (which in that case i hold no hope for you & you will suffer your karma soon enough).
I would suggest a few books for you:
1) The Tao of Physics by Professor Fritoj Capra
2) Wholeness & Implicate order by David Bohm
3) The hypothesis of Formative Causation by Rupert Sheldrake
4) Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins
5) A New Model of the Universe by P. D. Ouspensky
I can see that you think that perhaps you fancy yourself a truth-seeker but I am sorry to say you most certainly are not. You think that reality is only revealed to you though physical body’s eyes (actually that is my assumption feel free to correct me if I am wrong) but you shall find at the end of your life that you were incorrect. Hopefully then it still will not be too late to change.
As a philosophy major, I highly believe in the mantra “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence,” as well as Ockham’s razor: “do not multiply entities beyond necessity.” If I can’t prove it, I don’t hold it as a firm belief.
But to deny the existence of a global elite is just erroneously delusional, ironically enough. You don’t have to believe Thrive’s theories. Look only at media consolidation. In 1980 50+ companies controlled the “mainstream media,” now it has become 6 through various purchases and mergers. These companies that in total control 90% of what we see are: Time Warner, Disney, Viacom, Newscorp, CBS, and NBC/Comcast. That means 6 companies, and their respective executives/boards, control nearly EVERYTHING that we see and hear in the media. This is an observation based on fact, you can go check it yourself.
This is not to include that *everything* attributed to this elite is true, simply that it exists. Furthermore, it is human nature, unless altered through ethics, to act in your own interest…in conglomerate’s case….profit. So, MORE LIKELY THAN NOT (called “inductive reasoning”) this case shows that the ideas that comprise the “mainstream media” are those which serve the profitable interest of these six companies. You can go look at those 6 companies parent companies, and it should enlighten you a bit.
Don’t deny facts and call it reason. Denying reality in the face of reason is symptomatic of a delusion.
That is hardly controversial, nor is there a huge conspiracy around it. Chomsky has been writing about this for decades, and he’s also refreshingly free of nutty theories.
reply to cyborgjesus
I know it isn’t controversial…hence my point. “An” elite exists, independent of wild claims of “satanism” and and 18th century secret society hubub. But read works such as “the White Man’s Burden,” Social Darwinism, and even quotes from Mr. Rockefeller and others like him…such as your run of the mill federal politician….and the doubt that “the haves” see themselves as above everyone else slowly starts to disappear.
Is there some Bond villain plot for global domination….I’m skeptical, though its not entirely out of the question. The powerful *do* rule the world, and people who have power historically go to great lengths to maintain it. Then again…powerful people like to squabble amongst themselves.
black white thinking….very big picture dude… this blog is not worth the webspace its on!!!!
Thank you for your comment. Would you please provide a specific example of this “black white thinking” to which you object? Also, please explain why “big picture” is the wrong approach. Please be specific, and back up your assertions with examples.
Agreed, you (blogmaster) seem extremely closed-minded to the possibility that any conspiracy could possibly be real. And then you say that conspiracies basically hinder people from thinking logically. You sir, are not thinking logically by not allowing “controversial” thought processes to enter your brain.
You clearly have not read up enough about the subject to back up your claims, im not a conspiracy theorist, but I’d say the argument FOR most of the conspiracies covered in Thrive out-do any and all analysis you have made on this website, merely because you make claims such as “such and such is simply untrue”. Yeah? Gimme some proof.
You might want to read up on that: http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/burden-of-proof.html
Thank you for all your work. In this day and age of media soundbites I find more and more people very close to me subscribing to these types of hype vehicles like Thrive. Thank you very much.
You’re welcome.
They called you a “red” if you had a single thought not in compliance with Joe McCarthy’s version of reality in the quaint dawning days of the empire. Now, in the heyday — you’re a “conspiracy theorist.”
It’s irrelevant to the stumblebums tripping over nomencalture to stuff political speculation and pseudo-science into the same one-size-fits-all straight jacket of conspiracy theory. Not surprising though, as Lewis Powell knew how facile it would be to wrangle rebellions once you’re the only mouthpiece in town.
So, those who label every unconventional opinion a conspiracy theory, fail to distinguish between obstinate beliefs ragarding phenomena easily disproved via scientific method and reasoned speculation regarding politiical events shrouded in vulnerable explanations, where no truly dipsositive conclusions can be drawn.
@manoborn: It has been my experience that only those people who cannot defend their beliefs with evidence, logic and reason complain about having their views labeled as “conspiracy theories.”
Think about it. If a particular viewpoint was capable of being vindicated beyond all doubt by verifiable facts, it would have nothing to fear from being labeled a “conspiracy theory,” because that label could be dispelled easily enough simply by demonstrating the validity of the premises behind it. It is only those viewpoints that suffer a deficiency of factual support or logical reasoning that can possibly be harmed by being labeled “conspiracy theories.” For this reason I am unsympathetic to those who complain about this label being applied to them. If it’s legitimately not a “conspiracy theory,” the facts will bear that out.
The comparison between the use of the term “conspiracy theorist” and McCarthyism is so inapposite and ludicrous as to be insulting, and beneath any substantive comment.
Your righteous ad hominen misses the point. There is absolutely a major substantive difference between scientifically indefensible positions and politial phenomena generated clandestinely. The latter is per se unknowable and therefore perfectly suitable subject matter for speculation in a free society.
Nothing I said was an ad hominem. Not even close. Incidentally that’s another telltale sign of conspiracy theorists–misunderstanding logical fallacies and employing them as if it will help their case, when in fact it will not.
If you believe there’s a factual or logical error on this page, identify it and let’s debate it. Be specific and back up your assertions with facts. You will notice I’ve asked others who’ve commented here to do so, and none, as yet, have even bothered to make an attempt.
It’s becoming apples and oranges. I am referencing how the “conspiracy theorist” label is often used as a club to silence speculation on clandestine political phenomena or “official” government explanations, and you are asking me to point out errors on your page. What you are attempting to do is fine, muertos, in a general sense; but in the context of singling out this one particular film is what I find curious, considering all the mind numbing bullshit that confronts us daily. On the other hand, perhaps you’re right…I’m simply commenting on the wrong site. Adieu.
Not a single person who has criticized the general feeling behind this blog, or the idea of debunking Thrive, has yet offered so much as one specific criticism backed up with objective evidence to refute the factual statements or the logical reasoning presented on this blog.
So far, the Thrive Debunked blog is batting 1000. Not a single Thrive supporter has been able to present anything against it other than vague generalities. I’m still waiting for ONE specific correction despite having asked nearly every pro-Thrive commenter to present such an argument. No takers yet, it seems.
Really? Go fuck yourself, you sycophant POS.
Why is it right wing apologists don’t appear to understand that blog sites and forums are places where people can express themselves, question assumptions and freely postulate. They are not evidentiary hearings. Those who post need only speculate – especially when the issue involves covert operations and clandestine activity. Yet, like Homer Simpson screaming “Show me the PROOF!” at the controls of a hemorrhaging nuclear plant, they disinguinely demand evidence from any who attempt to offer a reasoned opinionON THINGS THAT MAY NEVER BE KNOWN.
For these arch conservative blog dufuses, the end game, of course, is to chill analysis and downgrade anyone who questions official explanations as a conspiracy theorist. No margin allowed for complexity or skepticism. Their tedious sophistry in defense of the conventional can turn any blog into a bitter and boring drag.
One thing that’s certain — you’ll never see these Charringtons demostrate courage in exposing their OWN thought processes publicly. Instead, they lie in wait to drop their bricks from the overpass on anyone remotely commenting outside a box that grows ever more narrow.
Ironically, speculating about “covert operations” when you have neither proof nor conclusive evidence is kind of what the “conspiracy theory” label is about.
Questioning “official explanations” without having a good reason to do so doesn’t make you a skeptic, but a causeless rebel. Noone’s keeping you from making your own discoveries, but if you put pseudoscience and guesswork in a movie and advertise them as truth, you’re inviting (deserved) criticism.
Lastly, the political branding is laughable. You don’t have to be conservative to object to pointless speculation.
Have any actual evidence to back that up? Nope, didn’t think so, have to resort to the old “go fuck yourself” when asked to back up your assertions. Typical. have fun in lalaloopsy land.
Where do you get the idea that this is a “conservative blog” or that I’m a “right wing apologist”? Because I demand facts and evidence before believing blindly in conspiracy theories? In fact I am a liberal progressive, and I often criticize conservative positions on just about everything. But thanks for your comment, especially the first line. It will make a nice headline for an upcoming blog post summarizing the responses of Thrive supporters to this blog.
You see, what we have here is a classic fallacy coming from a guy who set up a blog ostensibly to promote reasoned and logical analysis. Show me where I have stated that I am a “Thrive suporter”? I just find it curious that you would choose this particular film to create such an incredibly elaborate site. Sorry, it’s just plain bizarre. And for the fourth and last time: my sole point is that speculating about covert or supremely guarded events or activity is the marker of a healthy zeitgeist in a free society. Theories are exactly that…they are theories. Branding ones to which you are in disagreement with the thoroughly perjorative “conspiracy” label creates a chilling effect on the average Joe’s societal duty to question authority.
So, if you are really who you say are and not a banster foil or gov’t apologist, then reveal your true identity. And btw, what kind of freak uses “death” as a screen name? Jesus, talk about weird.
My parting advice pal: Talk a walk in the sunshine, go work in a soup kitchen, play some hoop…do something useful. I know I’ve spent 99% more time than planned on this nonsense, so bye, bye and have a nice day.
Hm, it seems woo peddlers invariably cry out foul and throw their arms out in utter, delicious despair when they realize they can’t convert a blog-writer to spread their crap. Thrive, like the woo movies before it, will fade (rapidly) from memory when the internet stops caring. The real world hasn’t even noticed it.
If you are not a Thrive supporter then why do you even give a shit what is on this web site? Muertos is just providing a valuable public service in the fight against stupidity.
I’ve know Mr. Muertos for awhile now, and I can safely say his political and social philosophy is plant squarely on the left. He donates to charity and spends his spare time volunteering for charitable causes.
I on the other hand am a selfish ass. I don’t donate to charity. I don’t donate my time volunteering for charitable causes. Why? Because I don’t give a shit. Muertos on the other hand is the complete opposite of me.
You’re a sanctimonious twerp.
If you are not a Thrive suporter then why do you even give a shit what is on this web site? Muertos is just valuable public services in the fight against stupidity.
I love it when people arrive at blogs and complain violently as manorborn has, then when approached as to why they are complaining they turn coat and claim they are defending the rights of the movie makers rather than they agree with the movie makers. It is as if they dare not admit they love the movie and its content, and would rather keep that ambiguity and let you guess their position. The hilarity is that manorborn has made his position clear, he hates right wingers, which makes him a left, he appears to like the movie which makes him a potential believer in woo topics, he also defends conspiracy theories with vigour making him yet another conspiritard who tries to convince the world he isn’t.
The way he uses verbiage is also quite interesting as he attempts to disguise his position with pseudo intellect that falters on many occasions. This use of false premise and moral positions, whilst using accusatory and offensive dialogue in the mix just makes him look more like an emotional basket case with an agenda rather than an unbiased person interested in free speech.
I call conspiracy theorist and point the finger at a person who clearly has not managed to protect his ideology with facts here in any way.
This website is awesome! Please keep up the great work!!!
Thanks!
Thank you so much for this site, especially your series of posts working through the film, debunking it systematically. “Thrive” is the type of brainless twaddle that people in my hometown (Boulder, CO) eat for breakfast, so thank you for giving me a simple website I can send them to. I know it must be torturous, watching this film over and over to fact-check it, and I couldn’t imagine doing it myself, but I’m so happy someone is!
Thrive supporter, Thrive sceptic?
The maker’s motivations/motives may be uncertain and the movie may lack of valid background information, but it’s final implications and solutions are worth talking about. That’s what this is all about. Talk, discuss, inspire, elaborate, act.. no division anymore. Free speech for sure, but keep in mind the synergy.
This movie maybe one of the few examples where I’d like to seperate the author of his work and discuss the content separately. That’s the point when Foster’s crew doesn’t matter anymore and our real actions form our future.
Good blog, nice work! I’d like to provide both to my friends, a link to the video as one to your blog, for that they can make up their own opinion and discuss their thoughts afterwards with me/us.
And after all, imho it’s really that simple (still difficult in RL): non-violation. Makes intuitively sense. No matter what’s your deal.
Love from Germany.
I would agree with you on that point that it ends being solution driven & if one wanted they could throw out the previous part of that movie & just work on that.
You cannot argue with Austrian economics, De-politicizing action & making the culture we live in more efficient & free.
The progressive model has already shown that it does not work. The FED does not work (Fiat debt based currency). Our current energy systems are toxic as is our medical system. Take for someone who has been battling cancer for 5 years!
I am working with a MD whose vaccine got rid of 6 of my 7 tumors in a week. Then he had 2 attempts on his life. I have also seen how the drug market works in SE Asia & the US spy networks are involved. Sometimes in life you learn that Conspiracies really do exist.
@KX Russell
Do you have details of the attempts on Sam’s life that happened within the last year? Also, how is he holding up after the acid attack? I imagine his face would be quite scarred after such a vicious assault.
Forgive me for being so forward but I ask because all accounts are rather sparse of information at best, and perhaps this is why the public is left in the dark on such matters.
The next New Age conspiracist pseudoscience movie to debunk has got to be David Wilcox’s ‘Convergence’…
http://divinecosmos.com/start-here/convergence-movie
It’s based on the same genre format for ‘What the Bleep Do We Know?!’ which was propaganda for JZ Knight’s Ramtha cult. It will be a lot more lavish than ‘Thrive’ and have much wider distribution. It will be propaganda for the cult of David Wilcox, a scam artist who established himself with claims that he is a reincarnation of the ‘sleeping prophet’ Edgar Cayce.
All this pushing against…endless conflict…stirring the hornet’s nests. Are you right? Are they right? Careful, now. “History” is enlightening in this way. (“…the world is flat…”, “…Quantum mechanics can’t be correct…”, “…humans must be the only intelligent life in “the universe…”, “…there’s only one universe…’) You get the point.
Mustn’t forget: Only time will tell. What if some or all of those “conspiracy theories” turn out to be factual? What will you think of your “mighty-right” words, then, my fellow traveler?
Still, I applaud you role in the “contrast”. It doesn’t matter if I agree with you or not. Just pouring water on a thirsty flower I see along this road. Random kindness. Random softness to a fellow human. Everyone feels passionate about something.
So I wish you good journeys during your “Earth excursion”. In the blink of an eye, it’s ‘over”. Great good journeys to you, then.
Turns out that Thrive’s “evidence” that was supposed to be “fact-checked” is actually neither. Read the threads about the generators which were completely misrepresented in the movie…good grief.
Okay, you’ve debunked everything in the video. That was easy! Now for a challenge, I want you to try to prove the information in the video right. Now before you say you can’t, let me assure you that you’d be closing your mind the the possibility that any of this could be true.
You say there’s no evidence of a NWO agenda yet its right in your face every time you go to a conspiracy site to pick apart peoples theories.
For instance: Mr. Bill Gates, an obviously ultra rich man proposes we need to dramatically reduce earth’s population to get our carbon footprint down. How does he propose we do this? Through health care…
You may also find that Mr. Bill Gates has safely stored seeds from plants (probably edibles) from all over the world in a super high tech, super secure bunker in the arctic. Furthermore, you may also find that Mr. Bill Gates is heavily invested in the controversial company known as Monsanto who’s committed numerous unethical practices (arguably) to insure their GMO seed is the only seed that exists and if that seed shall fail, well they have all the original god produced seeds in a vault somewhere…
Please look this stuff up and debunk it.
I’m going to spend the next week cross checking all facts from THRIVE and this blog. if I find any incorrect info. on this site I will let you know.
Great! I welcome you to check the facts here, and I’ll do what I can to help you. Be careful of the credibility of sources you use–often that’s quite tricky to figure out. If you have any questions about my own sources, email me at muertos@gmail.com.
Who are you really? Muertos?
This world now is a mess. I do think it is interesting that there is a $25.00 and up charge on the site. It was about a 3 hour movie and all those people probably needed to get paid–(remember–we live in a time where it’s “About the money”.)
I heard Dr. Greer speak about 14 years ago about clean energy, UFO’s, technology and the use of no oil. Let’s face it. Look at the direction of the world now and the people running it, the big box mentality, foods that make us fat (coke!!!), our polluted environment, global warming and people losing their houses, jobs, and life to cancer and other diseases. Drug companies rule!
If this movie is what it takes to change the system and the world, so be it. it wouldn’t surprise me if you worked for the government.
What evidence do you have that I work for the government? If you think I do, you should definitely vote here: http://thrivedebunked.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/poll-is-the-creator-of-this-blog-a-paid-disinformation-agent/
It’s not a dichotomy. You don’t have to choose between status quo and Thrive-type drivel. There are many opportunities to do actual work that has a positive impact on this world, but waiting for magic UFO tech to solve our problems isn’t one of them.
Also, what have you done so far to fight obesity, pollution or climate change? As long as you’re giving your money to these frauds collecting conspiracies, myths and lies and selling them as truth, you’re more part of the problem than the solution.
Bingo!
Great website. I watched Thrive yesterday and when i saw Haramein there I knew all of the documentary was a great hoax. Reading your blog I got the actual facts.