Daniel · 9 answers · 2y

What do you think about people who are convinced that vaccines cause autism?

skepticism is fine and healthy, but that 'connection' between vaccines and autism was based on some grifter's 'data' on like 8 kids at a birthday party or something like that

I find it amazing that it's so common to think so lowly of anyone who believes vaccines cause autism. There's nothing inherently ridiculous about this idea, there's no reason it should be impossible, and there's no malice in such an idea. And there are good reasons to think it does if you do some research and think for yourself. I think the most obvious reason people feel that way is that they have a bias toward wanting to believe that vaccines are an infallible godsend, which stems from the fact that society has a collective form of PTSD as a result of past diseases.

I don't think very highly of the people who think autism is caused by anything with malice.
Let alone those who think it's a virus that's injected.

Everyone I know is autistic then, which is plain impossible, so they're wrong at best. But, completely personal point of view:

Thinking that they do really cause autism is fun. It makes our lives more interesting. It shows that we are aware of dangers that most people aren't. It provides the means for us to exercise our critical thinking (doesn't matter if it's for something useful/true or not). It can emotionally reward our sense of protection.

As you see, there are many psychological factors that stimulate that belief. That's the reason why I don't outrightly dislike people who are against vaccines. It's like religion.

I understand being doubtful about things you don’t understand. There is some level of mystery involving vaccines. But antivaxers are putting their faith in the wrong place/people.

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