CONSPIRACY THEORIES – CAUSES AND CURES 11/13/20

We are dealing with a pandemic of “Conspiracy Theories.”

Wikipedia lists 57 categories of Conspiracy Theories.

What exactly is a “conspiracy theory”? 

Conspiracy theories come in two types. Type A fabricates a threat and blames it on others. Type B denies a real threat and blames it on others. The “conspiracy” part is the blaming of others. The “theory” part is another story. [ The “theory” part is really a misnomer and should be called a mythology since scientific theories are based on verified observations and validated through testing. Conspiracy theories are based on unsubstantiated allegations and isolated if not fabricated examples. A better term would be “delusional conspiracies.”] Conspiracy theories are distinct from rational challenges to official disclosures.

Why are there so many and why are they so popular? 

We live in a relatively advanced national society whose principles are in direct conflict with our ancient instincts. This creates stress and anxiety so we craft a wall of beliefs to help us deal with the diversity, isolation, uncertainty, confusion, complexity, responsibility and change we live with. For a lot of people, that wall is just not strong enough. Conspiracy theories offer believers conformity, association, certainty, clarity, simplicity, victim hood and consistency. 

There are many ancient instincts activated by conspiracy theories. To start with there is the group bonding that occurs when facing a common enemy: whoever is being blamed. Blaming someone automatically makes the blamer superior to the blamed. Blaming others means that the problem is under human control rather than some random calamity outside human control. In addition, the outrage of victim hood provides an all absorbing crusade to distract us from all the other, real problems we need to face. This is reinforced by the community of believers. It all comes together to be an exclusive tribe in the midst of an inclusive society. It is a regression to instinctive behavior.

Why are they so irrational?

In order to understand the irrationality of conspiracy theory beliefs we have to take a closer look at the irrationality of more ordinary beliefs.

We all live in a bubble of beliefs largely chosen to comfort us, to create a comfort zone, to create certainty. It is in our genes, thanks to millions of years of ancestry, that we can believe anything we choose to. Often that choice is not even conscious. Our beliefs usually reassure us that we understand our lives and that we are safe, in control of our lives, living a moral life and in harmony with our community. 

On a less conscious level we usually don't worry much about being mortal or vulnerable to injury or sickness. We tend to avoid anything that causes anxiety when we are in our comfort zone.

Conspiracy illusions thrive when normal illusions fail

When something new comes along that confuses us and threatens our safety or even our comfort we become anxious. In a rapidly changing, diverse society this is a constant event. In contrast, conspiracy theories offer immediate relief to the anxiety and a greater sense of safety.

The first thing a Type A conspiracy theory offers is a fictional threat that is easy to understand. It serves as a distraction from actual threats. The first thing a Type B conspiracy theory offers is that the presented situation is not true. It is not a concern.

In general, then, committing to believing in a conspiracy theories is comforting because

The problem is easy to understand.

It's not your fault.

You are not confused.

It can be used to explain almost anything.

You are not inadequate.

You are not ignorant.

You are not powerless.

You are not vulnerable.

You are superior to those who disagree with you.

You can be outraged anytime you encounter anything contradicting your beliefs.

You can feel safe in the company of other people believing what you do.

You need to protect yourself, your family and your conspiracy theory community against non-believers - tapping into the strongest motivations we have.

By obsessing on the mythology and defending against non-believers you can ignore everything else.

Why are they so powerful?

The most powerful Conspiracy Theories trigger one or more of the three basic survival instincts – the most powerful motivators we have. They trigger the individual survival instinct by fabricating a threat to the individual way of life, usually freedom. They trigger the family survival instinct by fabricating a threat to the family way of life, usually having to do with jobs or freedom of choice. They even trigger the strongest of the survival instincts, defending the tribe defined by the Conspiracy Theory against those who disagree.

It is surprising that the most irrational, delusional Conspiracy Theories are the most potent. The very fact that they have every belief in opposition to reality means that any encounter they do have with reality is experienced as a threat to their tribe. Their survival instincts are constantly being activated as they resist the fact and logic of experience. In their paranoia, everything and everyone else is a dangerous enemy of their tribe. Of course, the tactic of resistance is to project their irrationality on those who oppose them. Everybody else is irrational, illogical, lying and defaming.

Then there is the cost of giving up the beliefs of the Conspiracy Theory. In order to do that people have to admit that they were wrong in their abject devotion to the mythology. Even worse, they have to face the confusing, complex and terrifying issues in reality they were hiding from.

Then there is the issue that a large segment of the population is not ready or not able to engage in the inclusive, diverse concepts of a modern nation stage society. They just go along with the crowd in silent resistance. They are extremely vulnerable to propagandists offering the opportunity to return to the familiar instincts of a exclusive, conforming tribe stage society.

For at least these reasons Conspiracy Theories gain popularity and promote nearly impenetrable, self-sustaining bigotry. Healing the followers is going to be a long, slow process based on restoring mutual respect even if we disagree. The first step is to start talking about anything we can agree on. The first step is to start talking and stop shouting.