my dad has always been a conspiracy theorist and also heavily religious, believes that the “end times” are just around the corner, etc. that last bit about conspiracy theories being comforting because they offer explanations as opposed to randomness… really hit close to home. it wasn’t til adulthood that i realized what an anxious person he is, and the ways he copes with uncertainty. i feel like ive spent a long time trying to disentangle myself from that type of thinking but i absolutely empathize with it.
my parents are the same way!! I am sharing this in the family groupchat because maybe it will help them open there eyes. all these conspiracy youtube rabbit holes they go down...
i relate to you in that i'd fall into that type of thinking when i was younger - so i empathize with it too.
I think conspiracy theories are, ironically, an easier way to see the world. accepting that life isn't fair and some things are fucked up is a much harder pill to swallow
As someone who spent his childhood around adults and the internet, cynicism facilitated by exhaustion from the "harsh" realities of life, after being promised that everything was going to be all sunshine and rainbows, was not something that had to be introduced to me later in life. Because of which, I've always felt as if there was something off with conspiracy theories
For me, these conspiracies are dreams people have wherein they believe they've finally woken up, but the truth is: they're still deep asleep.
I think it might have something to do with how people find it hard to grasp on the fact that just because thunderstorms occur, doesn't mean that sunshine and rainbows are non-existent myths. It's just natural that there will be different weather conditions, which can unfortunately get disastrous at times.
Obsessing over conspiracies is just another way for people to take "comfort" as to why everything feels messed up but also then gives you permission to not do anything to change your own personal life.
It is unsettling that believing there is a hidden plan is more comforting than accepting there may be no plan at all. But if there is no grand design, it shifts us from trying to uncover the plot to deciding what we want to do next.
wish I could think like this, but unfortunately most of the consipiracies I heard about turned out to be true. Mistrust is useful but it is so exhausting. Your work is extremely insightful tho, and I'm going to binge some more of it. You and I think alot alike!
Conspiracies are entertaining... And to be entertained is to be distracted. How interesting that we have chosen to entertain ourselves with stories of the worst, or some of the worst, of what humans are capable of.
Love how you posted this right after posting about ignorance, ego, and the literacy crisis. The rise in the acceptance of conspiracy theories definitely feels linked to the literacy crisis. Not only are people quick to accept conspiracy theories, but I also find that people will treat conspiracy theories as indisputable facts, and indisputable facts as conspiracy theories. I get so frustrated when people I love and care about continue to believe these theories even after being presented with information that disproves them….. but the part where you said people use them as a coping mechanism reminded me to have some more compassion. We all have our vices and I guess some people use conspiracy theories as theirs.
every essay you write speaks to thoughts i have but have not (yet) been able to articulate properly. keep up the great work hannah!
my dad has always been a conspiracy theorist and also heavily religious, believes that the “end times” are just around the corner, etc. that last bit about conspiracy theories being comforting because they offer explanations as opposed to randomness… really hit close to home. it wasn’t til adulthood that i realized what an anxious person he is, and the ways he copes with uncertainty. i feel like ive spent a long time trying to disentangle myself from that type of thinking but i absolutely empathize with it.
my parents are the same way!! I am sharing this in the family groupchat because maybe it will help them open there eyes. all these conspiracy youtube rabbit holes they go down...
i relate to you in that i'd fall into that type of thinking when i was younger - so i empathize with it too.
I think some people have been lied to so many times that they begin to question all kinds of legitimacy, it gets exhausting
I think conspiracy theories are, ironically, an easier way to see the world. accepting that life isn't fair and some things are fucked up is a much harder pill to swallow
As someone who spent his childhood around adults and the internet, cynicism facilitated by exhaustion from the "harsh" realities of life, after being promised that everything was going to be all sunshine and rainbows, was not something that had to be introduced to me later in life. Because of which, I've always felt as if there was something off with conspiracy theories
For me, these conspiracies are dreams people have wherein they believe they've finally woken up, but the truth is: they're still deep asleep.
I think it might have something to do with how people find it hard to grasp on the fact that just because thunderstorms occur, doesn't mean that sunshine and rainbows are non-existent myths. It's just natural that there will be different weather conditions, which can unfortunately get disastrous at times.
Obsessing over conspiracies is just another way for people to take "comfort" as to why everything feels messed up but also then gives you permission to not do anything to change your own personal life.
It is unsettling that believing there is a hidden plan is more comforting than accepting there may be no plan at all. But if there is no grand design, it shifts us from trying to uncover the plot to deciding what we want to do next.
wish I could think like this, but unfortunately most of the consipiracies I heard about turned out to be true. Mistrust is useful but it is so exhausting. Your work is extremely insightful tho, and I'm going to binge some more of it. You and I think alot alike!
Conspiracies are entertaining... And to be entertained is to be distracted. How interesting that we have chosen to entertain ourselves with stories of the worst, or some of the worst, of what humans are capable of.
Love how you posted this right after posting about ignorance, ego, and the literacy crisis. The rise in the acceptance of conspiracy theories definitely feels linked to the literacy crisis. Not only are people quick to accept conspiracy theories, but I also find that people will treat conspiracy theories as indisputable facts, and indisputable facts as conspiracy theories. I get so frustrated when people I love and care about continue to believe these theories even after being presented with information that disproves them….. but the part where you said people use them as a coping mechanism reminded me to have some more compassion. We all have our vices and I guess some people use conspiracy theories as theirs.