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The Cowardice of Conspiracy
Another awesome comment left by David on the subject of conspiracy theory:
Conspiracy theories are cowardly in a way. I feel this intuitively because they allow certain individuals to abdicate their own responsibility for the particular fix they find themselves in. […]
The most difficult thing a person can do is to take responsibility for their own consciousness. People will do almost anything to avoid even thinking about it.
A possible corrolary to this may be that a great many people who obsess over exposing the conspiracy and conspirators do very little to actively *change* anything. Or it may be - as I’ve written in the past - that people use conspiracy theory as a sort of internal alchemy, rooting out the source of evil in the world at large when their actual (unconscious) goal is to transform their own consciousness…
Knowing that though, how do you bridge the gap? How do you start exposing the “conspiracy” which has shaped your own personal history and how do you start taking responsibility for both that and for the state of the world?
James also writes in that same post:
the antithesis of CT [conspiracy theory] is not that nobody really is in control; it would be that EVERYONE is in control, that every single person has the power and will to do what they want, for the right reasons, without negative consequences.
Good perspective, I think.
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September 5th, 2006 at 7:38 pm
I’ve been very active in political activities in my area and I’ve noticed that, almost without exception, everyone who’s gotten caught up in the 9/11 conspiracy world has completely dropped any other area of activity or interest. People I could have interesting conversations with a few years ago now cannot talk about anything except the temperature of burning jet fuel and “proof” that the Towers were brought down by a controlled demolition. It reminds me of a religious obsession.
September 5th, 2006 at 10:10 pm
It’s one thing to recognize and acknowldege that a conspiracy of some sort did bring the towers down — at the very least one involving Islamic fundamentalist terrorists (the official story) or one involving individuals higher up in the food chain (which I tend to believe for various reasons having nothing to do with how the towers physically came down).
But at the end of the day, it’s counterproductive to obsess about it. By now, everybody who sees that event for what it was already knows some version of the “truth”. Everybody else is immune to any argument, no matter how rational and well-documented. Those who want to continue sleeping will do so.
The bigger question is: what are you going to do about it? Most people recognize that we are, in large part, politically powerless. At least as individuals. And collectively, nothing will happen to wake us up, at least north of the Rio Grande. (See immediately preceding paragraph). There is no cosmic justice, the “perps” will never be punished. Hence, the apathy.
The bigger question is: what are you going to do about it? Personally in your own life? How are you going to use this to wake up? To develop spiritually?
Zac is one of the few people with a clue on the whole conspiracy thing. In short: yes, conspiracies exist, now move on with your life.
September 5th, 2006 at 10:30 pm
And right on schedule, Ran posts his 911 FAQ. Which pretty succinctly represents my views on the matter.
Still: what are you going to do about it?
September 5th, 2006 at 10:33 pm
the medium is the message. the conspiracy theory is a media………..
September 5th, 2006 at 11:22 pm
The intrepid journalists at Time Magazine just weighed in on “Why The 9/11 Conspiracies Won’t Go Away” at http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1531304,00.html
September 6th, 2006 at 12:24 am
I guess I agree to an extent but of course not all conspiracy theorists use the theories to to abdicate their responsibility. How often do I post here and over at RI, “alright, enough is enough, let’s do something” I am just one person and can do little on my own. To date, not one person has emailed me or responded in a meaningful way.
Ran said something recently about conspiracy theories that I liked, “Every theory [about 9/11] is a conspiracy theory.” And he makes some good points…http://ranprieur.com/essays/911FAQ.html
September 6th, 2006 at 10:36 am
I think this is an excellent summary of that process.
And I don’t think one view negates the other.
Conspiracy can exist, and a lot of info points to the conclusion that it does.
Or if you like better, selfishness, greediness, and willingness to do nefarious type things to protect or enhance power and material wealth exist.
On the other hand, the powerlessness and uncertainty or perception thereof make those “things” next to impossible to address and correct on the large scale picture. With that dissonance, it seems to allow you (if u let it) as an individual to move past the point where you obsess over specific conspiracies and the injustice of it all, and instead be more aware (paranoia is awareness) and run your own life in a way that won’t let u get trapped or sucked into a way of being that allows those kind of things to happen around you. Conspiracy is cowardly, rephrased as selfishness and greediness and lack of respect for others is cowardly. Don’t be a coward, don’t let those around you be a coward.
September 8th, 2006 at 5:15 pm
What does ANYONE do to really “change” anything? Virtually nothing!
If you insist on denouncing conspiracy theories without actually challenging them on matters of fact, I think it’s you who is the coward. Tell us why we’re wrong, don’t just assume we’re wrong and then insult us for it.
September 8th, 2006 at 5:23 pm
Okay Gary, I have taken the challenge and emailed you. Let’s do something then! I have honestly no idea what the hell it is we ought to do, though, just to warn you.
September 8th, 2006 at 5:24 pm
Kasey, saying “no one else is stepping up to the plate” is not an acceptable excuse for you not being the one to step up to the plate either