This topic is going to require some introspection.
I'd like to discuss the mindset of a conspiracy theorist.
What are the defining traits of a conspiracy theorist? What do people think of us?
Tinfoil hat. Doom posting. Chicken Little, the sky is falling mentality.
Got me thinking, Could it be that all the doom posting and sky is falling talk, jumping to wild conclusions and heavy skepticism is a breeding ground
for neurotiscism and paranoia?
What does that do to the mind?
Do we take this knowledge and share with everyone like Prometheus or do we use our eccentric viewpoints to belittle others?
Are we unnecessarily stressing ourselves out, is what I want to get to the bottom of.
What I found is not just traits of a conspiracy theorist but motivation as well.
www.truity.com...
Conspiracy theorists have 3 major motivations.
1. A desire to understanding their environment.
2. Desire for superiority.
3. Paranoia and antagonism.
“Some personality types are indeed more inclined to believe in conspiracies,” explains Esmaeilpour. “Traits such as high openness to experience
might lead to a curiosity for alternative explanations, while high levels of neuroticism could contribute to the anxiety and paranoia that make
conspiracy theories appealing.”
Of course, it doesn’t end there. That is because there is something fundamentally antagonistic about refusing to go along with the mainstream.
Indeed, people who relish playing the contrarian in social settings will naturally find themselves drawn to conspiracy theories."
These are common personality traits that fail in line with narcissists as well.
This brings me to quality. The quality of our conspiracies has been in decline for about 10 years now.
I came to the site long ago looking for Alchemy, Aliens and JFK. And in 10 years, conspiracies have turned from, God sent the Hurricanes to punish the
sinners to, the Democrats sent the Hurricanes to punish the voters.
I believe Alan Moore, who created V for Vendetta and wrote a book about the CIA, Brought to Light, said it best:
"The main thing that I learned about conspiracy theory, is that conspiracy theorists believe in a conspiracy because that is more comforting. The
truth of the world is that it is actually chaotic. The truth is that it is not The Iluminati, or The Jewish Banking Conspiracy, or the Gray Alien
Theory.
The truth is far more frightening - Nobody is in control.
The world is rudderless."
Experiencing the current state of conspiracy theories is like watching a good friend date a narcissist. Political baiting. Motives. Versus the days of
taking it with a grain of salt.
Being skeptical sounded smart and being counter culture sounded cool but now, I don't know. Maybe Alex Jones ruined it. The whole hobby seems
tainted.
Along with the Alan Moore quote, this song made me rethink conspiracy theories:
youtu.be...