When I tutored fellow accounting students I did it long enough that Accounting 101 students got to the chapter on Cost of Goods three times. Unlike what hard core capitalists want you to think, the math part of accounting is not really that hard. What job placement services are looking for is personality. What interviewers are looking for is personality. The math part is a given, especially if you only have to master the rudimentary basics of a spreadsheet. So, those that wanted to master CoGS, I’d ask them if they wanted to understand it or they just wanted enough info to pass the test.
The second one was easier. Just throw out a simple algebraic equation with inventory balances (beginning and ending) and purchases and end of story. The other ones were more fun. Seeing somebody that genuinely wanted to learn more than an equation with one unknown variable, and achieving the light bulb going on moment. Those people would ask intelligent questions which related to what they were struggling with.
These days, asking insincere questions is normalized. The main conspiracy grifters don’t necessarily use it. They pretty much boldly go out and state right off, “Contrails are poisoning us.” They’ve moved well beyond the stage of believing in their own product and don’t need to question.
But this doesn’t mean questioning is absent. The low level newcomer needs training. A courtship where they are delivered Attaboys!TM while teaching them that truth seeking requires truth and seeking. The truth part is completely absent, so what the hell makes seeking think it’s any better?
I’ve encountered several notable in real life moments where somebody has resorted to literally using the phrase, “just asking questions”. Tacked on at the end of thoroughly debunked science concepts. And I’ve handled them the same way. Without actually telling them my reply is to indicate that they are closed minded and just want to be a jackass by stating their stupid opinion as a question.
Real life JAQing Off hits at home and the workplace and people build up what the believe about questioning and answering over a long period of time. And the topics cover the spectrum of the innocent to important. And people do a pretty terrible job of consistently answering questions properly. It might be ok for little four year old Trevor to make up a bogus reason why he can’t have a second bowl of ice cream. But if I deliberately teach him wrong info about cost of goods and screw up his chances of passing that exam next week - very uncool. These don’t matter much when dealing with a foaming at the mouth conspiracist in the heat of battle. But understanding the difference in important questions and insincere questions goes a ways to understanding the socialization process. Trevor says, “Can I have a second bowl of ice cream.” He knows damn well he isn’t going to get one. He really is saying, “I want another bowl and I’m going to pout if I don’t get one.” Then he does pout and nothing is solved.
There’s some specific lingo in the JAQing off format. Key words and phrases that get used. As soon as a conspiracy grifter indicates he’s playing the devil’s advocate, he’s not sincere. Whataboutism lingo deflects and tries to move the goal posts. What about Hillary’s emails? After being countered with all the verifiable data that shows that Trump was a bad president. You tell your boss your coworker has been stealing for years and everyone knows it and we’re all wondering why you don’t do about it.
“So Bill, what do you think I should do?”
“It’s not my job to manage company personnel. That’s your job.”
“Hey, don’t throw this back in my face, I’m just asking your opinion.”
The new initiate to the conspiracy rabbit hole will try to mask their content as a question when it’s obvious that they have already made up their mind. Getting a second bowl of ice cream by asking nicely is conflated with how people around react to climate change or vaccination or any common conspiracy topics. Video titles just need a tweet.
Officer Conner is a Freemason that hates black people! Vs. Does Officer Conner Hate Black People? Maybe He’s a Freemason?
Does Fluoride make frogs gay?
Was the death of Richard Roundtree a ritual sacrifice?
Just remove the word Is at the front and the question mark at the end of a conspiracy grifter video title and you’ve already translated the attempted masking of the insincere question. What’s really happening is a genuine question or two on trivial bowl of ice cream questions, reinforced by encouragement to seek the fake truth always morphs into something worse.
Hey, you mentioned that gematria of 58 was something we all know what that means. Er, I don’t really know. Congratulations, you’ve just elevated yourself to a target that might be worthy of more attention. And once you start putting out insincere questioning video titles, you’ll really get some solid Attaboys!TM. Now get out there and find some Facebook groups to interrupt sincere conversations!
Of course, lots of well know “pundits” and influencers engage(d) in open JAQing Off. Alex Jones, Joe Rogan, Rush Limbaugh. There’s money to be made by not being consistent… picking both teams. Picking both teams will never get to the truth.
The only questions conspiracy grifters care about are:
Do you believe in facts and evidence?
Do you want to give me your money while you get nothing in return?
No to the first, yes to the second? Coooooooooool!
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