Well, let me take up the cudgels for conspiracy theories and theorists here, because RCs (and my brothers
) posts struck a nerve with me.
I mean, come on, people! This conspiracy theory bashing is beneath us, isn't it?
There’s this political tactic here in the German speaking world, which could literally be translated as the “nazi club” (club in the sense of mace, not organization). When you accuse someone of being a nazi or right-wing, he or she is more or less politically destroyed. He can try to prove he’s not, but the stain will always be there. It’s a bit like being accused of rape. Even if you’re innocent and can prove it, you will never be able to get totally cleared of the stain.
From my point of view, the word conspiracy theory can be used as a very similar unfair rethorical instrument. Calling someone who has a different perspective a conspiracy theorist is very easy. And 90% of the people will laugh and look down at “the kook” without knowing any facts about
any side of the debate. The few who might want to learn more or even are of the same opinion as the accused will remain silent, so as not to be branded as kooks themselves.
It’s amazing how easily this works. For some reason we’re conditioned to be incabable of thinking or saying the word “conspiracy” without adding the word “theory” to it. Yet conspiracies happen all the time. If some people agree on a secret plan that is disadvantageous to someone else, it’s a conspiracy. Do you think it is ridiculous that there are conspiracies out there? Do you think that it’s unrealistic that powerful and wealthy people conspire to become even more powerful and wealthy? Have you ever picked up a history book?
What you do with throwing around the word conspiracy theory is that you mix up two very distinctive groups of theories. 1) Those about unprovable, already disproved or totally ridiculous things, such as aliens, faked moon landings or purple elefants living in the Arctic. and 2) More or less “realistic” theories about governments or companies etc. that, far fetched or not, at least
theoretically might be true, such as a fake terror attack or hidden economic or political agendas of powerful people and companies.
Let me give you an example. I have a knack for economics, politics and history. I just find it really fascinaiting... And a topic that’s near and dear to my heart, ever since I discovered it during my studies of economics, is monetary systems. I have seen people call the fact that our currencies are based on debt, and thus, combined with compounding interest are inevitably set up to increase total debt and eventually collapse, a conspiracy theory.
And that’s why I have an allergic reaction toward this use of “conspiracy theory” as a rethorical weapon. I have been called, and seen others called kooks or conspiracy theorists about a subject that I studied on university, did a lot of independend research on, and very well understand the history and the economic and mathematical principles of, by people who obviously have no clue.
I could talk about topics, cite my sources, explain the theory, give quotations, and it will all be brushed aside by people with a dismissive “aww… now seriously, you believe that?” I don’t believe it, I
know it!
And there’s lots of other topics that I don’t know so much about, but would like to learn more about. That’s why I find it unfair, RC, to try and end the debate here with a rethorical twist that basically says “don’t talk about it or you’re a tinfoil hat wearing kook who believes in aliens”.
I don’t know much about chemtrails, and I know that about 90% of what I hear is unscientific bullcrap. But I also am not convinced that it’s
not true. And I also know that weather modification exists. You can disperse clouds, you can seed clouds, you can steer storms… so why is it so ridiculous to talk about it? I really was hoping to get some more serious insight here with so many aviation people around.
About 9/11: The official story is a “conspiracy theory” too, isn’t it? I don’t know what happened, but all I know is, unless you can explain to me how evil turban wearing farmes can outwit the best aerial defense system in the world and can manage to collapse a skyscraper in 9 seconds,
without even flying any plane into it(!!!), I will call
you a conspiracy theorist if you believe the official version. Again,
I certainly don’t know what really happened, but I take offense in being called a kook if I dare to question “the officials”.
Well, am I a tinfoil hat wearing kook? I don’t believe in aliens, the fake moonlanding or shapeshifters, but I can’t help but think you’re naďve if you never question what your or other goverments are up to, if you think that politicians and scientists, can't be and aren't bought overtly or covertly by multi-multi-billionaires, if you think that the people “up there”, the multinational companies, the banks, the mega-rich have your best interest at heart, if you think that those groups are protecting you and looking out for you.
Okay, sorry guys for getting into such a serious a rant here...
Again, I think we should be able to talk about things. If you dissaprove of it or think it's kooky, don't get personally offended, just ignore it, please.
I never really looked into this subject a lot, but now this whole thing has sparked my interest!