Conspiracy Theories

The problem that conspiracy theories have isn't their substance, it's their context. That's what people find ridiculous.

First, you have to agree with a few general statements: human beings have freedom of thought, freedom of action, and instinct to survive. This means that although you don't think a certain way, that although you wouldn't personally do something, you acknowledge that someone else might in order to survive.

Throughout history, there have been trillions of people that have all tried to survive. But the thing is, surviving is hard. Thinking is hard. Most people don't want to have to focus on all of this at once, which is why we so easily submit to control. Since society began, we have gone through transitions of people having less to focus on. The first forms of government made it easier for people to live. They had food, laws, and protection in exchange for taxes and labour. Next came the tools that made our labour easier, and we didn't have to do as much. Last came the process of not thinking, which is achieved through control over what we do think. In this, we lose that which holds our humanity.

Everybody learns from their surroundings. How we are raised is a large part of how we think until we can think for ourselves. Ideologies, knowledge, and culture are all learned before we even begin formal education. These things are so nested into us that something opposing our understanding seems absurd. However, just seeming absurd doesn't make it impossible; something can be possible despite what you know and understand to be true.

What we understand to be true isn't necessarily what actually is true; it is only what we have learned. Since human beings don't know anything that we haven't learned, knowledge is systemic and subjective. It is passed down through culture and education, a mass of whatever is most commonly agreed upon. This means that whatever is repeated most becomes fact. This has direct and indirect consequences, meaning that history can be adjusted through misinformation or exclusion and by accident or intent. It is therefore upon the individual to evaluate what is presented and decide what is logical.

Consider the following rational arguments:
- Wealth exists as expected labour of the population.
- A small group of people control all the world's wealth.
- Those in power don't want to lose power.
- In order to maintain power, some atrocities can be justified.

This is the substance of conspiracy theories. None of these arguments are ridiculous. However, when we give them context, it is based upon what we have learned, which isn't necessarily correct. So when someone denounces a realistic, rational, and plausible argument, fundamentally, it isn't the argument itself that is the problem, it is the person and their perception of it. And perception is - like knowledge - subjective. This doesn't make the argument true inasmuch as it doesn't make it false; listening to the argument and evaluating its logicality for yourself is what defines truth. Question them, research them, and draw your own conclusions. Exercise your freedom of thought.

The following videos should be evaluated with an open mind:
- John Harris: It's An Illusion
- Kymatica
- Zeitgeist: Addendum
- Why We Fight