Deconstructing "conspiracy"

[Jack]

This is not a thread about any conspiracy theory in particular. Rather, I'm interested in knowing what people think about conspiracies in general.

Why are they so popular? What is it about the human psyche that makes people come up with conspiracy theories? What makes us ignore a simple explanation in favor of a more complicated and convoluted one? Why do you think people will persist in believing conspiracy theories in the face of sometimes overwhelming counter-evidence?

I would hope we could avoid useless toss-off answers like, "people are dumb". I'm really interested in the human fascination with conspiracies.

[nerdvincent]

As weird as it can sound, people ADORE to feel opressed. They're not necessary in bad situation, but they love to feel thrilled by an unknown danger. The other category is the people who think government are greedies who just want your money, an make up stories about it. Government are plain greedies, but...

[Jack]

It does seem there's an element of "somehow I know I'm being lied to and that somebody, somewhere knows the truth" in many conspiracies. It seems to suggest that the conspiracy theorist gets some sort of affirmation in believing they're being mislead.

The other element that fascinates me is that no matter what "evidence" is introduced to rebuff a conspiracy theory, the theory can incorporate it and turn it into evidence of further conspiracies. I suspect that even first-hand, eye-witness testimony could be turned into support for the conspiracy. It's like trying to best a hydra; for every head you cut off, another grows to replace it.

[Nemiroff]

Also the fact that a simple explanation isn't always the correct one. As unlikely as it may be, there really might be some super smart guy or guys who are really really good at covering up their tracks behind everything.

thats the beauty of conspiracies, no matter how much you believe or dont believe them, you can't prove or disprove them. its like religion

[Chaossaber314]

I think it's pretty simple. People would rather exist in a false reality they have all figured out than a real one where they don't have the answers.

Similarly, people would rather believe in purposeful evil than simple incompetence, particularly when it is in relation to a person or group of people they would have hated regardless of this unthinkable conspiracy.

It justifies hatred since it's easier to hate the guy who kicks you to the ground and spits in your face, than the guy who tripped on his shoe laces and accidentally knocked you down.

Quote by: Nemiroff thats the beauty of conspiracies, no matter how much you believe or dont believe them, you can't prove or disprove them. its like religion

That's a very good point. If someone disagrees with a conspiracy theory you simply add them to the conspirators. You reshape your belief to fit the new circumstances.

[Clarence]

My wife and I conspired to hide the christmas gifts from our family

[GHook93]

Some are believable! Some are ridiculous! And some are highly offensive and insulting. The majority are non-senses

[Chancellor]

Quote by: Isherwood This is not a thread about any conspiracy theory in particular. Rather, I'm interested in knowing what people think about conspiracies in general. Why are they so popular? What is it about the human psyche that makes people come up with conspiracy theories? What makes us ignore a simple explanation in favor of a more complicated and convoluted one? Why do you think people will persist in believing conspiracy theories in the face of sometimes overwhelming counter-evidence? I would hope we could avoid useless toss-off answers like, "people are dumb". I'm really interested in the human fascination with conspiracies.

At least for Americans there is an inherent sense within us that government cannot be trusted and is only out to expand its power at the expense of the people.

[Baconup]

As a conpiracy buff I think I have some answers to these questions in regards to the human psyche.

I believe that things happen for a reason. I'm not talking destiny here I'm talking more along the lines of coinceidences aren't that they are more.

What I mean is sometimes I look at certain events that happen and the simple answer just doesn't make sense because of the amount of benefit supposedly non participating parties have gained through any particular event.

At that point my brain just won't accept simple solutions like "Saddam has to be removed from power the Iraqi's deserve to be free." No president would admit that his cronie friends are benefitting from the war financially.

Now does this mean we wen't to war so his friends could get rich absolutelty not. My mind however can't get past the fact that it did happen and as I said earlier everything happens for a reason.

Some theories like aliens for example I think most of those people jsut want something more. Life without aliens is dull and boring. Almost like we are stuck here with nothing else out there. However, if you believe in Aliens and some of the many consipacies out there o' man does life get more exciting.

I don't mean to over simplify any of this. I just wanted to show why I am the way I am. Sometimes I find myself enjoying real world conspiracy theories as a form of entertainment. Not that I actually believe them but how much fun it is to read them and maybe ponder the chance of them being real.

[shawmutt]

As I understand it, conspiracies are believed for a modicum of control. A "theory" of an evil government plot is somehow less scary than random violent events.

Unfortunately, the weaving of a conspiracy theory is very complex. Like Isherwood was saying, as evidence is brought against the conspiracy, the conspiracy gets more complex to support the conspiracy, not the reality. It starts with a small government plot involving a few conspirators. By the time all the kinks of the conspiracy are "figured out", hundreds if not thousands of people are all part of the conspiracy! The "theory" falls flat by the sheer mass of people required to make the conspiracy reality.

[Baconup]

Though I partly agree with you shawmutt. Governmentally speaking people could be a part of the conspiracy and really not even know it. Without really getting into it JFK is a prime example.

I think the majority will agree that any way you look at it the investigation done by the police in terms of questioning and evidence was handled poorly.

Some crazy's will say yeah they are apart of the conspiracy. I would say no they were bad cops and the situation was handled poorly which aided the real conspirators. Is there a chance some FBI came in and clouded all the info sure is it real who knows.

There are a lot of conspiracies out there that don't ever involve 100,000's of people. Those are only the government did it not terrorists conspiracies.

[HelioPrime]

I see conspiracies as simplification.

People like to think that everything is connected somehow. Like believing that every event, or policy around the globe is somehow connected to a global conspiracy orchestrated by those wishing for a global government.

People claim they don't believe in mysterious god like figures but they are so ready to believe in mysterious industry shadow figures controlling the media and military. We all seem to believe in the devil at some level.

[Zeebadee]

"Conspiracy theory" is merely a label applied by those opposed to a legitimate investigation of whatever the "conspiracy" is challenging. It's a term designed to cause doubts as to the legitimacy of any challenge. When the "official explanation" of any event doesn't match the evidence, or when there are questions raised about it's veracity, adherents of that explanation try to de-legitimize their opponents by labeling them "conspiracy theorists".

A simple google search will get you plenty of conspiracy theories that have eventually been proven to be correct. Since those aren't referred to as theories after being proven, the connotation of conspiracy theory is always negative, a fact capitalized on by those applying that label.

[shawmutt]

A simple google search will get you plenty of conspiracy theories that have eventually been proven to be correct.

Cites to back that up please.

[Jack]

"Conspiracy theory" is merely a label applied by those opposed to a legitimate investigation of whatever the "conspiracy" is challenging. It's a term designed to cause doubts as to the legitimacy of any challenge. When the "official explanation" of any event doesn't match the evidence, or when there are questions raised about it's veracity, adherents of that explanation try to de-legitimize their opponents by labeling them "conspiracy theorists".

"Conspiracy theory" is an accurate and neutral term that refers to theories involving a conspiracy. If the phrase has become pejorative, that could be because so many of those theories are not well substantiated and pursued beyond what the majority of people might consider a reasonable conclusion. Of course, lack of substantiation fits perfectly into a conspiracy.

It's a rather like a magic story without a possible end, since no one will ever be able to accept completely an explanation once the idea that there's a conspiracy afoot has been voiced. Every new bit of evidence for or against the "official" story will only add to the size of the conspiracy. At some point no answer at all with suffice.

[Zeebadee]

Quote by: shawmutt Cites to back that up please.

Conspiracy theory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

True Conspiracy Theories - Reviews on RateItAll

[Chaossaber314]

Santa Claus - Reviews on RateItAll

For decades, an elaborate conspiracy involving tens of millions of American adults, the entire commercial sector, Hollywood and the Department of Defense, among others, convinces children that a man named 'Santa Claus' lives at the North Pole and delivers gifts on Christmas Eve.

HAHA.

[shawmutt]

Quote by: Zeebadee Conspiracy theory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia True Conspiracy Theories - Reviews on RateItAll

That's a shame, I thought for sure there would be some proof that today's most common conspiracy theories weren't a crock. This is a non-sequitur, and obviously post-hoc rationalization--this event in the past was a conspiracy because "the conspiracy theorists knew the whole time".

[Nono]

Quote by: GHook Some are believable! Some are ridiculous! And some are highly offensive and insulting. The majority are non-senses.

I find myself in the most unaccustomed position of agreeing with GHook.

A conspiracy theory is neither more nor less than the idea that event X (and let's face it, 911 is at the back of everybody's mind here) came about as a result of people conspiring to make it so rather than through blind chance.

To say that conspiracy theories are bullshit is to claim that conspiracies don't occur. But history teaches us that they definitely sometimes do.

Why are some people particularly partial to them, blaming every last circumstance on a conspiracy? I think because some people's outrage can tolerate only an explanation in which there's a blear Black Hat victimizing a clear White Hat, rather than the alternative explanation that it's a chaotic ol' universe we live in, and shit happens.

But again, you can hide some pretty big conspiracies behind the shit-happens explanation.

[Jokerjdude]

I don't know how the thing I am about to not sound rude or for that matter make sense but I'll give it a try. (Please don't take this the wrong way anyone)

I think that people (maybe not all people) start and make up conspiracy theories because they may have low self esteem (I can't think of another way to put it) and being in the "know" may make them feel better about themselves.

I hope that makes sense! (It probably doesn't)