Alex Jones: Putting the Con in Conspiracy Theories
By: Victoria A. Fraser
Tags: Conspiracy Theories, Propaganda, Advertising, Research, Psychology

If you don’t know who Alex Jones is, congratulations. I envy you. He is basically just a walking trash bag. Alex Jones is a far-right media personality who spews garbage conspiracy theories and basically just yells at the internet. Most notably, he spread lies about the children of the Sandy Hook massacre being a hoax. Already, after reading that, I’m sure you despise him. Join the club.

Now, I’ve been loosely aware of conspiracy theories that are fringe and outlandish as we many of us are, from the earth being flat to the moon landing being fake. They are, simply put, preposterous. Anyone who thinks logically would know there is nothing true about them. If anything, it’s a fun exercise in using your imagination.

Unfortunately, during Covid-19, many of these absurd media personalities are gaining new traction. An old friend of mine has become an extreme right-wing activist who genuinely believes in these things and shares this stuff on Facebook every hour of the day. Because of that, I’ve decided it’s time to point out the flaws in the logic of people like Alex Jones.

The funny thing about conspiracy theorists is that they are critical of everyone but themselves. Obviously, that is because of confirmation bias, a psychological phenomenon where one listens only to those they agree with. Now, let’s try and work around this bias, and be critical of him if you aren’t already.

I am begging you, or your wacky cousin, to actually look closely at what people like Alex Jones gain by spreading such misinformation.

He is not your friend.

Alex Jones is a slimy salesman who is taking advantage of people who will believe things without substantiated evidence. If you believe the moon landing was fake, then you’re also likely to belive Alex Jones’ brain pills might actually work. Maybe his toothpaste that prevents COVID will also prevent you from getting sick! Fun fact: They don’t. Labs have tested the products he sells and many of them will not live up to the claims.

Yes, the items do have the ingredients listed, but the claims are largely exaggerated. That’s how marketing works. In many cases, his products are just an overpriced version of something you can already buy for $5 at any drug store.

Let’s take a step back and look at the model of InfoWars. How does it make money?

By selling garbage products to people who blindly believe things without any research. In fact, he makes much of his money by selling these “miracle” products to his viewers. He preys on the gullibility and vulnerability of his audience to sell his products.

If you follow Alex Jones and buy his products, please look closely at how someone benefits from these kinds of flat-out lies and conspiracies. If someone is telling you white people are being eradicated one minute, and trying to sell you a bulletproof vest the next, what are their real intentions?

To scare you, and profit off your fear. He’s a Con Artist much more than he is a Conspiracy Theorist — that’s what the are.

While that might be a bit of a damper on your mood, there is some good news. The families of the Sandy Hook victims have successfully sued Alex Jones and were awarded $100,000 dollars. If they’ll get it, who knows, he is dick after all.

It’s a start, but hopefully, court cases like these will discourage other people from spreading misinformation like our least favourite douche canoe.