Can We Realistically Hope To Break The Cycle Of Virulence?
Reader comment on item: A Conspiracy Theory Spreads Polio

Submitted by yonason (United States), May 25, 2005 at 01:05

"Dr. Ahmed, an Islamist, accuses Americans of lacing the vaccine with an anti-fertility agent that sterilizes children..." consequently "That conspiracy theory has single-handedly returned polio to epidemic proportions."

One wonders...

1. Will this tragedy make them come to their senses, or will they view the harm they've done to themselves as "proof" of their paranoid psychological projection that we wanted to harm them?

2. If they remain true to form and opt for the latter belief, will it evolve into even more virulent and contagious conspiracy theories which will breed more extensive self-mutilation, ultimately spawning an even more profound (if that's possible) hatred of civilization?

3. Is there anything we can do to break this vicious cycle, especially when nurturing their mad fantasies (the only option acceptable to them) is out of the question?

4. Does anyone know where I can look up "Dr." Ahmed's vaccination history?

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened for relevance, substance, and tone, and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome, but comments are rejected if scurrilous, off-topic, vulgar, ad hominem, or otherwise viewed as inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the Guidelines for Comments. For informational purposes, we identify countries from which comments are sent.