Viral conspiracy alleges Bill Gates’ new climate effort is a secret plot to blot out the sun

[Thaivisa Web Content Team 1578]

The phrase “blocking out the sun” conjures up all manner of horrors, from the smoke and ash of a nuclear winter wiping us all out to Mr. Burns putting up a giant metal disc and plunging Springfield into darkness on The Simpsons. But for a group of researchers at Harvard, it might hold the key to reversing the damage caused by climate change. Called the “Stratospheric Controlled Perturbation Experiment,” or “SCoPEx,” the project involves reflecting back UV rays from the sun by using a balloon dispensing a small cloud of chalk particles, about the same amount as a bag of bread flour, at high altitude over the Arctic Circle. It’s a small demonstration of the process of artificially altering the climate known as “geoengineering.”

Despite the small scale and laudable goals of the experiment, which began in 2018, conspiracy theories about it being an evil project to enslave humanity soon followed. And because Bill Gates is one of the project’s funders, and because the project involves what people think is blocking out the sun, those conspiracy theories continue to go viral every so often.

“JUST IN: Bill Gates next venture will try to spray dust into the atmosphere to block the sun. This technology would trigger a global cooling effect,” blared a viral tweet from RapTV, an account with over 120,000 followers. None of this is true. SCoPEx is not Gates’ “next venture,” but a small-scale experiment to determine if the concept of altering the atmosphere to reduce solar radiation could be a feasible solution to the climate problem. Gates has spoken of the need to study solar radiation management not as a front-line option, but as an “insurance policy” that we should have scientific knowledge of in case climate change becomes impossible to manage.

Gates is also not the project’s only funder, but is administering part of the funding through his Fund for Innovative Climate and Energy Research, which he established in 2007—a fund run by outside advisors at Harvard. Beyond that, the balloon experiment would be gathering data for climate models to assess the risks and benefits of geoengineering, which is useful. 

But the tweet, featuring a time-lapse photo of the sun rising and another of a baby polar bear on a melting iceberg (which is inaccurate because the experiment would theoretically create more, not less, ice), got over 3,000 shares, including a number of quote-tweets that got hundreds of shares in their own right comparing the scheme to the plot of the post-apocalyptic train movie Snowpiercer.

And it’s not the only “blocking out the sun” story to get outsized media traffic. The story went viral in a piece from the far-right website Western Journal attacking “Bill Gates' Savior Complex” and his advocacy for COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccination. One deleted tweet from the conspiracy account DiscloseTV got 14,000 retweets for the same unfounded accusation in December, and there have been other stories on the same topic by the Daily Mail and other right-wing conspiracy-friendly outlets. The Mail’s story, in particular, went overboard on hyperbole, claiming SCoPEx had the potential to start a “disastrous series of chain reactions, creating climate havoc in the form of serious droughts and hurricanes” and kill millions of people —part of a “mind-boggling scheme” with “even greater risks than climate change itself.

Geoengineering has been driving conspiracy theories for decades, going all the way back to the scientific antenna array known as the High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) being targeted by conspiracy theorists as an implement of “weather warfare.” And neither geoengineering in general nor solar radiation management are risk-free. Climate scientists have worried over the potential misuse or weaponizing of the technology, potentially unknown long-term environmental or social consequences, or even an uptick in the use of fossil fuels as a result of climate change being “solved.” But that’s the whole point of the SCoPEx trial—use a small demonstration to determine how well it works and what its potential drawbacks might be.

But since devoting the bulk of his wealth to philanthropy, Gates has been ground zero for conspiracy theories, with the Microsoft founder accused of everything from sponsoring global genocide through vaccines to reaping billions from prison labor to forcing genetically modified food on Africa to trafficking children with Jeffrey Epstein. None of these conspiracy theories have quiet the zing as “block out the sun,” so the discredited notion continues to drive viral traffic and fear-mongering when none is necessary.

 

FULL ARTICLE

[pacovl46 2225]

Just goes to show that mankind becomes stupider and stupider each year! How can you believe that <deleted>?! What’s wrong with these people? 

[techietraveller84 187]

Everyone's desperate for something to believe in. Some are just more choosy than others.

[Antonymous 3100]

28 minutes ago, pacovl46 said:

Just goes to show that mankind becomes stupider and stupider each year! How can you believe that <deleted>?! What’s wrong with these people? 

 

Not really.

 

This is a fluff piece by a self proclaimed 'conspiracy journalist' who looks out for sensational stories to write about for a living.

 

That a teeny number of people without any power or influence around the globe may have daft thoughts now and then is of no consequence whatever.

 

The only thing that is dangerous about these kinds of articles is that they can detract from the real concerns of the world, not least what the likes of Bill Gates is really up to.

[Patong2021 1149]

2 hours ago, pacovl46 said:

Just goes to show that mankind becomes stupider and stupider each year! How can you believe that <deleted>?! What’s wrong with these people? 

 

it is time to hold them accountable. People will say they have freedom of expression on the basis of scientific analysis/discussion.  Ok,, they can have it, but in cases like this let them be obliged to show evidence and to publicly identify themselves.

I think  when they are identified we will see that they are serial con artists who manipulate for profit or because mentally ill and more likely agents in the employ of enemy entities (Russia, Iran, China, Jihadis,  anarchists ) who seek to sabotage free society.

[polpott 6518]

20 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

it is time to hold them accountable. People will say they have freedom of expression on the basis of scientific analysis/discussion.  Ok,, they can have it, but in cases like this let them be obliged to show evidence and to publicly identify themselves.

I think  when they are identified we will see that they are serial con artists who manipulate for profit or because mentally ill and more likely agents in the employ of enemy entities (Russia, Iran, China, Jihadis,  anarchists ) who seek to sabotage free society.

You must be an American, home of all conspiracy theories. I suppose it was Antifa anarchists who were really responsible for invading the Capitol building? 

[GreasyFingers 1652]

On 2/23/2021 at 11:24 PM, Thaivisa Web Content Team said:

“Stratospheric Controlled Perturbation Experiment,”

Wonder if they understand the law of unintended consequences.

[karunasup 50]

it's so sad to see how this kind of pure b---s is promoted as being part of "free speech" in the USA, and even social media, such as FB, will publish it if they can make money or increase membership. Zuck is know for his ethics ---as long as we can make money, <deleted>, ethics.

[Jeffr2 11755]

7 hours ago, Antonymous said:

 

Not really.

 

This is a fluff piece by a self proclaimed 'conspiracy journalist' who looks out for sensational stories to write about for a living.

 

That a teeny number of people without any power or influence around the globe may have daft thoughts now and then is of no consequence whatever.

 

The only thing that is dangerous about these kinds of articles is that they can detract from the real concerns of the world, not least what the likes of Bill Gates is really up to.

Do some research on the many Republicans in congress who honestly believe in QAnon. Green is one of the nuttiest. A sitting member of congress. Who would vote for such a nut?

[pacovl46 2225]

10 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

it is time to hold them accountable. People will say they have freedom of expression on the basis of scientific analysis/discussion.  Ok,, they can have it, but in cases like this let them be obliged to show evidence and to publicly identify themselves.

I think  when they are identified we will see that they are serial con artists who manipulate for profit or because mentally ill and more likely agents in the employ of enemy entities (Russia, Iran, China, Jihadis,  anarchists ) who seek to sabotage free society.

I guess you never tried to put some sense into a conspiracy theorist! It’s pointless, you can give them all the evidence in the world and they still cry foul play! From their point of view they are the enlightened ones and all the others are dumb sheep! You could beat the truth into them and they still wouldn’t believe it because they’re too far gone! Yeah, you can ask them to prove what they’re saying and they’ll give ou some fabricated BS that can easily be disproven, but they’ll never believe you!  Association waste of time! The really sad part about today’s society is that a LOT of people just lap up whatever they’re told or what they read online without fact checking it. They read it and then it’s carved in stone! 

[pacovl46 2225]

12 hours ago, Antonymous said:

 

Not really.

 

This is a fluff piece by a self proclaimed 'conspiracy journalist' who looks out for sensational stories to write about for a living.

 

That a teeny number of people without any power or influence around the globe may have daft thoughts now and then is of no consequence whatever.

 

The only thing that is dangerous about these kinds of articles is that they can detract from the real concerns of the world, not least what the likes of Bill Gates is really up to.

There’s studies out there! The average IQ is going down bit by bit each year! 
 

Just google the most well known conspiracy theories and then google who spreads them the most on YouTube for example and then check how many millions of followers they have! It’s not even funny anymore! Eric Dubay is the god of flat earthers, Alex Jones is another famous example for conspiracy theories in general, he’s got kicked off of Facebook, though. We live in the 21st century and there’s people again who believe in flat earth. Flat earth is the one conspiracy theory, that can be disproven the easiest and still millions and millions of people believe it and no matter how much counter evidence you provide them with, from their point of view it’s all lies! 

[tifino 9118]

well Gates might have speculated investing in the worlds' Vitamin D3 stocks   

[Antonymous 3100]

51 minutes ago, pacovl46 said:

There’s studies out there! The average IQ is going down bit by bit each year! 
 

Just google the most well known conspiracy theories and then google who spreads them the most on YouTube for example and then check how many millions of followers they have! It’s not even funny anymore! Eric Dubay is the god of flat earthers, Alex Jones is another famous example for conspiracy theories in general, he’s got kicked off of Facebook, though. We live in the 21st century and there’s people again who believe in flat earth. Flat earth is the one conspiracy theory, that can be disproven the easiest and still millions and millions of people believe it and no matter how much counter evidence you provide them with, from their point of view it’s all lies! 

 

I know what you mean! How about all those religious nutters? People blow each other to smithereens because they've been conditioned to believe that 'their' god is better than 'your' god. Just Google and see how many millions of followers 'Jesus' has for example. Its insane what they believe he was and what he did! You just can't make this stuff up.

 

As you said above: "They read it and then it's carved in stone".

Edited February 25 by Antonymous

[pacovl46 2225]

10 hours ago, Antonymous said:

 

I know what you mean! How about all those religious nutters? People blow each other to smithereens because they've been conditioned to believe that 'their' god is better than 'your' god. Just Google and see how many millions of followers 'Jesus' has for example. Its insane what they believe he was and what he did! You just can't make this stuff up.

 

As you said above: "They read it and then it's carved in stone".

Yeah! It’s sad that there’s still wars fought over stuff like religions! 

[scorecard 21628]

On 2/25/2021 at 10:18 AM, pacovl46 said:

Just goes to show that mankind becomes stupider and stupider each year! How can you believe that <deleted>?! What’s wrong with these people? 

"What’s wrong with these people?"

 

I wonder why credible agencies don't talk to these people and try to discover exactly what drives them, push them for proof of their claims, challenge them to give deep credible logical insights into their claims. And dig deep to find the specific source of these claims and ask the conspiracy spreaders for permission to publish their names. And listen and learn. And then in non judgmental reporting publish what they have learned. 

 

Example: Anti-vaxxers who are claiming it's all a deliberate ploy to alter everybody's DNA.  

 

 

Edited February 26 by scorecard

[Freeduhdum 124]

On 2/23/2021 at 11:24 PM, Thaivisa Web Content Team said:

But since devoting the bulk of his wealth to philanthropy, Gates has been ground zero for conspiracy theories

In addition to being the major W.H.O. funder, didn't Gates also provide major funding for the polio induced vaccines in India also?

https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/polio-outbreak-sudan-caused-oral-vaccine-72766683

[Jeffr2 11755]

Countries need to start doing what Finland does.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/28/fact-from-fiction-finlands-new-lessons-in-combating-fake-news

 

How Finland starts its fight against fake news in primary schools

 

Country on frontline of information war teaches everyone from school pupils to politicians how to spot slippery information

[Jeffr2 11755]

3 minutes ago, Freeduhdum said:

In addition to being the major W.H.O. funder, didn't Gates also provide major funding for the polio induced vaccines in India also?

https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/polio-outbreak-sudan-caused-oral-vaccine-72766683

Congrats to Gates if he did fund polio vaccines. It's a horrible disease that could make a come back. 90% need to be jabbed to end the virus.

[placeholder 9358]

37 minutes ago, Freeduhdum said:

In addition to being the major W.H.O. funder, didn't Gates also provide major funding for the polio induced vaccines in India also?

https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/polio-outbreak-sudan-caused-oral-vaccine-72766683

Well, the article you linked to had nothing to do with India. But even on its own terms regarding polio in Africa, what's your point?

[pacovl46 2225]

13 hours ago, scorecard said:

"What’s wrong with these people?"

 

I wonder why credible agencies don't talk to these people and try to discover exactly what drives them, push them for proof of their claims, challenge them to give deep credible logical insights into their claims. And dig deep to find the specific source of these claims and ask the conspiracy spreaders for permission to publish their names. And listen and learn. And then in non judgmental reporting publish what they have learned. 

 

Example: Anti-vaxxers who are claiming it's all a deliberate ploy to alter everybody's DNA.  

 

 

Because they won’t believe anything they say! There’s more than enough studies already out there on all the conspiracy bs! How much more money do you expect to be wasted on trying convincing those nut jobs? All the formation is out there, one has just to look for it, but since the results don’t suit their world views they choose to ignore them! 

[scorecard 21628]

6 hours ago, pacovl46 said:

Because they won’t believe anything they say! There’s more than enough studies already out there on all the conspiracy bs! How much more money do you expect to be wasted on trying convincing those nut jobs? All the formation is out there, one has just to look for it, but since the results don’t suit their world views they choose to ignore them! 

Well said, these folks can't be convinced, I have one living in my village, his claims are laughable, not logical, can be shot to pieces very easily, but he still believes. Also true he looks for opportunities to spruk his conspiracy theories especially amongst very old ladies living here in my village and making them upset, making them cry.

 

He no longer comes into our village restaurant because he cops such negative and severe abuse from many diners. Earlier when he was making claims about Bill Gates living in luxury in a cloud and directing the dropping of virus drops all over the world. Folks demanded he explain how anybody could live in a cloud, he couldn't and copped ridicule. He still believes.

 

However I suggest there is value in destroying the claims of conspiracy theorists to limit their spread thru many folks listening to more logical discussions that destroy the conspiracy theories. 

[LomSak27 6168]

That is one of their greatest episodes. The show rocked for 8 seasons, then twenty years of ------ .  Sad Still who can forget Mr Gates Burns inspired insanity?!

 

 

 

 

[sirineou 18457]

These conspiracy theorists are nuts

The alien  lizard  people who  are cold blooded , would never allow such thing to happen because everyone knows lizards like to lounge in the sun. 

What s bunch of maroons . 

[impulse 21313]

On 2/24/2021 at 5:18 PM, pacovl46 said:

Just goes to show that mankind becomes stupider and stupider each year! How can you believe that <deleted>?! What’s wrong with these people? 

Tin foil hats have been around since they invented tin foil.  Nothing new here.

[polpott 6518]

35 minutes ago, impulse said:

Tin foil hats have been around since they invented tin foil.  Nothing new here.

I was under the impression that they had only been around since they invented Thai Visa.

 

I've never met one in real life and, if they do exist on the internet its obviously not in areas I inhabit. Thai Visa is their natural habitat and lately they have been breeding like purple lizards and some threads have been completely overrun by them.

 

I used to find TV a good source of information but important subjects such as Covid soon become drenched in lizard poo now.

[pacovl46 2225]

1 hour ago, impulse said:

Tin foil hats have been around since they invented tin foil.  Nothing new here.

Yeah, but conspiracy theories become more and more ridiculous with each year that passes! 

Edited March 23 by pacovl46

[scorecard 21628]

28 minutes ago, pacovl46 said:

Yeah, but conspiracy theories become more and more ridiculous with each year that passes! 

Agree, we had an old farang guy here in our retirement village North of Sydney (about 75 yo), he made every opportunity he could to talk about Covid 19 just after it started.

 

- China has been developing the Covid 19 virus for 50 years so it can take over the world.

 

- Don't go to China, all foreigners are murdered immediately on arrival.

 

- China sent hundreds of thousands of their citizens to all countries all with several suitcases full of bottles of the virus. On arrival abroad they all ran around everywhere spreading the virus, then they ran back to the airport and flew home to China.

 

The old guy here claims he has absolute proof of all of the above.

 

Many times people demanded he reveal his proof. His response 'Cannot because China would bomb and destroy every country and hundreds of millions of people.

 

Many times the old guy upset older folks. Especially female residents many of them reduced to crying.

 

The village admin. called the police who did nothing, then more recently his adult son came and took him away.  

Edited March 23 by scorecard

[Jeffr2 11755]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

Tin foil hats have been around since they invented tin foil.  Nothing new here.

But we're seeing more with the rise of QAnon and the right wing conspiracy theory nuts.  Like the 1776'ers.  Not very smart.

[scammed 1992]

we literally live in an ice age, and the moron wants to block out the sun

[Jeffr2 11755]

4 minutes ago, scammed said:

we literally live in an ice age, and the moron wants to block out the sun

Haven't had your cup of coffee yet?  A nonsensical post.