On conspiracy theory, and the time of madness
I’ve been trying so hard to figure out what is legit and what is runaway conspiracy thinking. I think many of us are conditioned to close the door on the possibility of conspiracies existing because of the reliable way in which we remain distracted, gamed and kept in the dark by some bad faith parties who are manipulating the media and social media, as well as some ignorant but well meaning normal people who are allergic to conspiracy thinking and don’t have the tendency to do their own research, know what research / “facts” to believe, and every permutation in between.
Literally everything is the subject of complete disagreement and argument, vilifying and ridiculing the people on the opposite end.
It’s not hard to speak up, but it’s hard to be heard, and it’s near impossible to tell what to listen to and what to believe.
Social media companies are profiting from this madness and the confusion.
And someone, someone, is profiting from our collective inability to get to the facts.
A sense of mutual connectedness and critical thinking are two things that are needed now more than ever.