WHY DO PEOPLE FALL FOR CONSPIRACY THEORIES?
Wrong question!
Right question …”Why do conspiracy theories make sense?”
Right answer … “If there wasn’t some truth to them, and lack of truth elsewhere, no one would believe them.”
First, Conspiracy Theories exist because the truth has been withheld. When there is utter openness and honesty and verifiable-ness…a Conspiracy Theory hasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell. We know that the government withheld facts about COVID, for instance. That has been admitted. They knew things they did not tell us for almost two years. They also told us things which were not true. At the same time other people were finding out the truth and sharing those things. Those facts were true, but the government called them “disinformation.” That set up an opportunity for multiple Conspiracy Theories. Unfortunately, some of the theories were 100% correct which made them TRUE Conspiracy Theories. That is something we don’t often see.
Second, (see above) when the government lies or withholds information it opens the door for FUTURE theories of conspiracy. Don’t blame those who BELIEVE these theories. Blame those who allowed the government agencies to lie in the past. Without THAT past event (or events) there would be no oxygen in the room for current theorists. For example, we are NOW learning that UFOs have existed “forever” but the government has been hiding it for more than 60 years. The government gained nothing by hiding it, by the way. In fact, if they had reported these events from the beginning, private researchers might have found an explanation decades ago.
Third, it is not only the lies, hiding data, and giving misleading data that CAUSES Conspiracy Theories to make sense, we can’t even get non-conflicting information from “experts.” One expert, citing his own standard for truth, says one thing. Another expert, citing a different standard for truth says something altogether different. That’s a big issue: NO COMMON STANDARD. Again, this opens the door for evil-doers to promote a random theory by asserting yet a third standard for truth. No wonder the masses are confused. Again, don’t blame the masses for not making sense of this world. It is the lack of a common standard for truth. Another example, Dan Rather had one standard, but it was found to be erroneous by fact checking researchers.
Fourth, BOTH political parties have abused Conspiracy Theories language to promote their own agenda. Less than a year ago one Democrat Senator admitted he “made up” information about a political opponent. In another instance Hillary Clinton pushed the idea that Trump’s election was based on fraud at the ballot box when she lost. Trump did the very same thing when he lost 4 years later. Neither was provable. It didn’t matter. It electrified their base in both cases. Democrats said Trump wasn’t a “legitimate” president. Then Republicans said Biden wasn’t a “legitimate” president 4 years later.
Finally, I read an article which appeared to be by an independent thinker where he claims that the appeal of these theories is the “excitement” of knowing something that others don’t. Donovan Schaefer published his piece “Buying into conspiracy theories can be exciting – that’s what makes them dangerous” in a magazine called “The Conversation” published July 5, 2022.
He says: “If we want to understand why people believe what they believe, we need to look not just at the content of their thoughts, but how that information feels to them. Just as the ‘X-Files’ predicted, conspiracy theories’ acolytes ‘want to believe’.” Later he asserts: “One of the most exciting parts of a Conspiracy Theory is that it makes everything make sense.” Yes, it does. That’s just it! They DO make sense when you know that the government lies, politicians lie, journalists lie, and even “experts” lie Then we KNOW that if we want the truth we have to FIND it ourselves.
My conclusion, is that we have little choice. It does not appear that we will see government, politicians, journalists or “experts” telling the truth any time soon. We can’t solve this riddle by blaming the victims or the perpetrators. We solve it by changing the systems which perpetuate the fertile ground in which these theories take root and bloom, namely lies by those in control over us.
What does that change look like? Well, truth is always truth and never changes. So, when a politician’s “goal-posts” of proof keep moving as they have with the story of how involved President Biden was in his son’s business…we know that the first statements were utterly false. We now know he did talk with his son’s business associates. He did meet some of them. He did even host a few in the White House. … so, where is the goal-post now … and where will it be in a month or two? Who knows? I don’t even care, honestly, because my standard for truth is far higher than his already. (You may think I’m picking on Biden. His story is merely a great illustration of what isn’t truth.)
However, a standard of “truth” as something which doesn’t change, as the basis for all communication from government, politicians, media, and “experts” would go a long way to take the air out of the Conspiracy Theory balloons. I vote we have a solid standard.
[BE ON THE LOOKOUT for next Sunday’s post: “WHO’S A GOOD BOY!!!” about dogs and cars.]
Copyright 2024 Donald Whelpley
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere. ~ Sherry]
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