Gates:because it's so stupid

[GoodTaste]

Does "it" refer to the conspiracy theory?

In the same sentence, it uses "the conspiracy theories" - the plural form doesn't seem consistent with "it", hence the thread.

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There is no evidence connecting Gates to microchips, but several viral articles have made the claims. A May poll also found 44% of Republicans believe the conspiracy theory.
Gates said some of the theories are "deeply ironic" given his work to promote global health and reduce global deaths and poverty.
In June, he said it was "almost hard to deny" the conspiracy theories surrounding him and vaccines "because it's so stupid."

Source: MSN July 25, 2020
Bill Gates shot down a conspiracy theory that he wants a global coronavirus vaccine rollout so he can implant microchips into people
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/me...an-implant-microchips-into-people/ar-BB1762Yf

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Yes. To be exact, the idea is stupid.

 

[GoodTaste]

It would be a long way to enlighten the stupid, which is why Gates said "it was "almost hard to deny" the conspiracy theories." For people with basic scientific knowledge, it is easy to debunk it.

 

[GoesStation]

The sentence with the first bold section refers to one theory which was mentioned earlier. The one with the second refers to the multiple theories Gates was discussing.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

. . . For people with basic scientific knowledge, it is easy to debunk it.

Yes. And anyone familiar with his philanthropic work would know that it's ridiculous.

 

[Tdol]

the plural form doesn't seem consistent with "it", hence the thread.

Speech is not writing- we can talk in long stretches of language with new thoughts coming into play. We cannot check or edit in the way we can with writing. Simply assume the most obvious and clearest meaning. Could you talk for an hour in your language and not say single thing that does not meet the strictest standards of written language? He's being interviewed and quoted. Look for the meaning first- spoken language is about meaning and communication, not grammatical niceties. You will hear educated speakers happily say There's two. Just accept it and focus on what they are trying to say. Speech is about going with the flow.