Consorting with the ‘other side’

Last evening, EC and Flo Destroyer took part in a two-hour YouTube live-stream with Jason and Ade from “Raconteurs News”.

To be honest, EC wasn’t sure what to expect, as this was the same channel that had hosted ex-DC Jon ‘Dodger’ Wedger about a month ago—readers might recall this interview as the one in which he called this blog “cowardly and spiteful”, and told us to “sod off”.

However, our hosts were nothing but courteous, emphasising the importance of hearing both sides of a story. Granted, some of the regulars in the chat seemed a bit…baffled at this choice of guests, and some were downright hostile, but perhaps that’s to be expected.

A few committed Hampstead hoax believers turned up in the chat, including Andy Devine and Society of the Spectacled Bean. Devine in particular seemed incensed that Flo and EC were being allowed to speak—at one point he said, “You’re looking at the face of evil personified ask her about her companies coming out of 788–790 Finchley Rd!”

Um, okay, sure. Maybe we’ll get into that next time, and Andy can bring along his evidence. Any evidence will do, EC isn’t fussy.

As the four of us discussed during the live-stream, it’s not easy to hear arguments which contradict one’s preconceived notions. People are generally far more comfortable accepting information which reinforces what they already believe, but that is exactly why it’s important to engage in non-hostile discussion with people from “the other side”.

Sadly, on the internet that sort of opportunity does not arise very often.

It’s all too easy to slide into our own cosy, familiar echo chambers, populated by people who share our beliefs, values, experiences…and while it’s natural to want to spend much of our time with people who reinforce our own ideas, it’s also valuable to talk with—not at—those who are different from us.

It’s pretty safe to say that both Flo and EC fall on the sceptical side when it comes to conspiracy theories, whereas Jason and Ade are much more conspiracy-friendly. While it can seem that the divide between conspiracy believers and conspiracy sceptics might be impossible to breach, live-streams like this one offer an opportunity to try.

In the end, while there were definitely some points of contention, last evening’s video conversation managed to get past the childish exchange of insults which can so often characterise online discussions on these issues.

Like this, for example:

Anyway. Many thanks to Raconteurs News for hosting what proved to be an excellent discussion.

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