Contagion: Conspiracy Theories

www.skeptic.com

      Whenever there are events, like this pandemic, that impact, shock, and stun everyone it is inevitable that conspiracy theories will rise and gain traction.  People are searching for rhyme or reason in such times.  We look insights and understanding as why things happen so we can find some kind of assurance, stability, and even closure in the knowing.  This applies even if the reasons and explanations are nefarious.   In my lifetime, I have seen such theories about the Kennedy assassination, the moon landing, and 9-11 to name just a few. 

Now, we have them about this pandemic. 

What makes for a good conspiracy theory?  I am no expert but, as you all have suspected, I have no problem playing one in my own blog. 

First off there has to be an event or happening for which people are stunned and bewildered.  This virus has caused a pandemic and we don’t know why.  We don’t do well when there are no clear and simple explanations and even more so where there no easy solutions.  We are used to serious issues and problems being solved completely and permanently in the time span of a feature film.  We want and long for easy answers and quick solutions. 

This virus has disrupted our lives and our economy for two months.  No one can tell us with much reliability how much longer it will last.  We find ourselves asking and being asked a lot of questions for which there are no good answers.  Is it nature? An inevitability of overpopulation?  Was it perpetrated by a known group or an unknown sinister cabal wanting to create chaos to gain power, control, or money? 

We ae confused and worried about the future.  We are worried about our health and the health and well-being of our loved ones.  We are worried about our livelihoods. 

Second, the conspiracy story has to plausible.  It should be founded on some truths and able to pivot at key points of the narrative in the direction the authors want it to go.  Not only does it have to be plausible, but it needs that pivotal catalyst or accelerant.

Accelerant?  Catalyst?

A good theory needs a revelation of a secret that like a missing piece of the puzzle, brings the whole thing into focus.  The secret has to introduce a bad guy or a bad organization, that cabal I spoke of, that masterminded and perpetrated the crime.  Yes, the secret must make the event at hand a crime and reveal who was behind it and why.  It must make it all make some semblance of sense.

Speaking of films and novels, we love a good conspiracy.  Good conspiracies and heroes bustitng them up and delivering justice make for gripping action narratives.  I love them myself.  Have all these films and novels sensitized us to yearn for conspiracy theories at times like this?  Or, are films and novels are simply a response to some collective deep seeded belief and dread that we are but mere pawns of the groups that actually control things. 

The whole thing must be revealed into the mainstream but not from the mainstream media as, naturally, they cannot be trusted.  The revelation must come from an anonymous, overlooked, or discredited source.  This adds to the drama and creates the aura of a deep dark secret being revealed just to you… and millions upon millions of others at the same time.

With regard to this pandemic, are we just sheep as many suggest?  We were told to stay home and for the most part we did.  I kind of thought when I ventured out all the bridges and roads would be fixed.  Cleary, it is not that kind of conspiracy.  Are there any conspiracies that want to make things better?

It has been two months in this pandemic new normal.  We are all worried, frustrated, and not sure what the future holds.  We want a return to life as we knew it.  We want to be out and with people.  We want to watch sports, go shopping, and to socialize.  As there is no clear path out of this because of all the unknowns, we are ripe for the kinds of conspiracies clogging up social media lately.

Oh and one last thing, did I mention it is an election year?