What’s a conspiracy theory you actually find believable?
The clue is in the description – “conspiracy theory”. The OED says that a conspiracy is “a secret plan by a person or group to make or do something illegal or dangerous”. And you know what a theory is, right?
But let’s be precise about that. A theory is an argument that in a given situation or set of circumstances certain things will happen or be transformed into a different reality.
In science, this means that Professor ‘A’ in such and such an Institution alleges that they have discovered or caused a certain event or phenomenon to take place in controlled conditions. He/she then publishes a paper outlining the method, the materials and what happened in that set of conditions.
ITS A THEORY UNLESS another scientist in another place, using the same criteria has the same results. Not just once but repeatedly. Then, hurrah and hussar, it’s a self-evident truth established by facts.
Read it again, I can wait. Done? Good! This is why evolution is rubbish. This level of comparative analysis never can happen due to the limitations of time travel, conditions and the availability of components.
Don’t shout at me, it’s just what it is A THEORY. Which brings us back to the question for today. Among the many weird and wonderful allegations there may well be a grain of truth. But if you plant that grain will it produce your alleged theory.
How do you test a theory. See paragraph 4. I’ll wait. Ooh, that was quick. This is where it all collapses into a heap. Usually a quite smelly one! The theory is usually full of holes. Or cannot be substantiated.
The argument may be compelling. It may satisfy some theory of your own. (For instance, are all the lost ballpoint pens really on a distant planet in huge unused heaps? I don’t know!) But usually they are referenced with incomplete, errant information, incomplete data or just downright nonsense.
It is unfortunately true that some people are drawn to these whimsical or even dangerous theories for reasons of their own. Hollywood has a field day portraying such individuals and rightly or wrongly making them out to be deluded and/or dangerous.
Whatever. It’s interesting that faith has the definition of “an evident demonstration of realities”. If you believe that or not, it at least keeps your head screwed on and enables you to test the ‘theories’ and draw the best conclusions.
Who said that? Just kidding. Well kiddies, that’s all from planet Biro! I’ve just had another delivery of 7,439 pens and I’ve got to build a new mountain. Take care out there!
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