Why are we drawn to conspiracy theories?

[Tim]

Is there something fundamental in the human psyche which draws us to theories of conspiracies which explain the unexplainable in our lives?

I would argue that it is the same aspect of the mind which draws humans to a belief in God.

What do you think?

[Lance, Group Founder]

Tim wrote: "Is there something fundamental in the human psyche which draws us to theories of conspiracies which explain the unexplainable in our lives?

I would argue that it is the same aspect of the mind whi..."

You may be right, or partly right at least, Tim. It may reflect Man's need to make sense of something that's beyond our understanding and/or beyond our control.

And/or it may be a defence mechanism - a natural human reaction against situations/events over which we feel we have little or no control...like our government going to war at the drop of a hat.

Not sure whether it's the same aspect of the mind which draws humans to a belief in God. What's your rationale for that? Keep in mind the belief/faith of Believers (Christians, Muslims etc.) transcends theory...they do believe.

[James, Group Founder]

Tim wrote: "Is there something fundamental in the human psyche which draws us to theories of conspiracies which explain the unexplainable in our lives?

I would argue that it is the same aspect of the mind which draws humans to a belief in God...."

Hi Tim.
I think there are some truths behind your questions.
A lot of conspiracy theories seem to be people trying to give meaning to random events. Maybe certain people cannot stand that we live in a chaotic world and when chaos ensues for whatever reason (even acts of nature) they have to say it is some kind of conspiracy. And perhaps that gives some comfort. This phenomenon is evidenced whenever a celebrity dies - some just cannot accept their favorite star just died and that was it.

However, I also think the term "conspiracy theories" is a very broad category that encapsulates everything from clinically insane people who believe things like worms are controlling the planet to respected scholars and mainstream journalists like Noam Chomsky or John Pilger talking about (obviously true) political conspiracies. And everything inbetween those two extremes.

And of course, a large number of conspiracy theories that were originally mocked or ignored have since been proven to be true. Examples include the Dreyfus Affair, Watergate, MK-Ultra and the CIA's whole mind control operations, The Gulf of Tonkin Incident being a false flag, Iraq having no WMDs, etc, etc.

And lately, all the seemingly far-out conspiracy theories about the global elite running and covering-up pedophile rings has now all but been proven true as a fact (at least in the UK where it's become a major mainstream news story and many leading British elite have been exposed and/or prosecuted). Conspiracy theorists have been claiming this was the truth for decades but nobody in the mainstream ever listened unfortunately...How many children would have avoided being victimized if conspiracy theorists had been listened to decades earlier regarding these horrific sex crimes?

So I personally think the key is to not throw out the baby with the bathwater when it comes to conspiracy theories. Granted, 95% of them are most likely pure rubbish. But 5% being true is still very newsworthy (and worthy of everyday citizens' attention) when you consider what is at stake here. To my mind this makes conspiracy theories one of the most important subjects of our era. That's why conspiracy theorists have evolved or expanded from being a tiny lunatic fringe (especially before 9/11) to now being a very sizeable percentage of the masses (especially in today's youth population who are more distrustful of governments). If the trend continues, conspiracy theorists will one day make up the majority of the population, I'd say.

Likewise, I also feel we are defeated by language with words like God - another broadly defined term that means radically different things to different people.

For monotheistic religious types God can literally be a man in the sky or a deity waiting for them in heaven. For others it means multiple Gods (polytheism). For non-religious spiritual types it is more of an energy that exists throughout the Universe. And for atheists the word God obviously represents pure fantasy equivalent to Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny (although I've noted within atheism some are solely disbelieving monotheism/polytheism but are unaware of wider definitions and possible meanings of the term "God" especially of the non-religious variety). And for many modern scientists (especially Quantum Physicists) God is some kind of spirit molecule that lives forever and exists inside of every living thing...

So personally, I feel terms like God or conspiracy theories are extremely tricky things to discuss due to almost everyone having a vastly different definition of what such terms mean.

Language is a real bitch!

[Laureen]

Tim wrote: "Is there something fundamental in the human psyche which draws us to theories of conspiracies which explain the unexplainable in our lives?

I would argue that it is the same aspect of the mind whi..."

Nah! I don't think so Tim. People who are looking for a belief in God seriously are really wanting some explanation for a purpose; in other words the truth of our origins. I think those who are drawn to conspiracies are either looking for sensationalism or the truth. Oh! I get it Tim. Maybe you have something?

[Faith]

Krishna wrote: "I think that people always get bored from their lives and so they try to find a twist in everything."

To sum it up, yeah...

[James, Group Founder]

The term "conspiracy theories" is a very broad phrase and covers the full spectrum from speculating there could be some other agenda behind a war (e.g. oil/money/power) to really insane tinfoil hat style conspiracies. And literally everything inbetween.

So it includes everything from very basic and palpable theories that are either very credible or later become verified and proven (e.g. Watergate and other political scandals) to really way out ideas that have not a shred of evidence to support them - let alone proof.

I agree some people are bored and looking for mystery in their life and latch on to theories that sound exciting even if they have zero evidence.
But others who are interested in conspiracies have researched far and wide and seen the massive corruption that occurs at the high finance, military and governmental levels. These people are not looking for mystery or excitement, but rather want to know what's behind all the levels of secrecy.

I think Julian Assange summarized it well when he said: “There are conspiracies everywhere. There are also crazed conspiracy theories. It’s important not to confuse these two.”

A lot of people will mock conspiracy theorists but then later reveal some idea they have on health or politics or banking that is nothing but a conspiracy theory! Conspiracy ideas like the 1% vs 99% and Big Brother and warmongers have all now become widely accepted ideas. Therefore, virtually everyone in this post-9/11 era is a conspiracy theorist to some degree or other. It's just that the term has become so disparaged by mainstream media (and also given a bad name by tinfoil hat conspiracy extremists) that nobody wants to be labelled as such.

If you would like to read more on my thoughts about the increasing popularity of conspiracy theories and distrust of governments, here's an essay I wrote about it: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Laureen]

Thank you so much for directing us to those articles you and Lance wrote. You have explained many questions I had about this group admirably. I could only agree with and respect your explanations which cleared up any questions I was asking myself.

[Joseph]

I use the analogy of an orphan. Always searching for his roots, he is easily exploited by one who tells fibs of his parents being sighted.

IMHO, religions begin like that too - they know everyone is searching for something more. The rule is, don't believe everything you believe - check before submitting - if they allow you to.

[James, Group Founder]

Joseph wrote: "The rule is, don't believe everything you believe - check before submitting - if they allow you to.
..."

Absolutely. My own rule would be don't ever believe anything until and unless such time as it's 100% proven.
But I would argue this sound approach of questioning everything we are fed applies equally so to concepts presenting to us in the mainstream media where I personally see more lies than anywhere else.

[Joseph]

James Morcan wrote: "Joseph wrote: "The rule is, don't believe everything you believe - check before submitting - if they allow you to.
..."

Absolutely. My own rule would be don't ever believe anything until and unle..."


Media & Journos should be licensed same as lawyers & doctors. One sided news, omissions, etc is not free speech and should have severe penalties & investigating controls. Very difficult to do, yet the next W.W. will be caused by the media.

[James, Group Founder]

Joseph wrote: "Media & Journos should be licensed same as lawyers & doctors. One sided news, omissions, etc is not free speech and should have severe penalties & investigating controls. Very difficult to do, yet the next W.W. will be caused by the media. ..."

Agree 1000%!

[Laureen]

It amazes me that media outlets think they are giving news. We have totally lost real news. Why can't the news stories be presented just as it happened without someone's personal bias putting a specific spin on the event. As if most people can't see the lie or bias being presented.

And interviews? How often do our main media broadcasts involve an interview with someone of a personal, sometimes even vested interest, but does not interview someone with an alternate argument or viewpoint. This, to me, only proves that media's bias.

[Lance, Group Founder]

Laureen wrote: "It amazes me that media outlets think they are giving news. We have totally lost real news. Why can't the news stories be presented just as it happened without someone's personal bias putting a s..."

The news component has been dumbed down and the entertainment component built up. What used to be "the news" is now "infotainment."