Conspiracy theorism is a form of mental pathology. It’s attractive to gullible or malevolent minds because it enables, among other things, scapegoating, absorption in mystery and a sense of being superior, each of which is attractive, depending on the personality of the individual.
It also fosters a sense of victimhood, always popular with bullies. But conspiracy theories depend on suspension of critical faculty. The theory believer is too attached to the glamour of the theory, and its benefits, to deploy critical faculty. Some people, overwhelmed by the world, find reassurance in them, some kind of temporary mental/emotional comfort and “explanation”.
In fact, the theory believer willingly distorts their critical faculties to accept only selective information, fastened on with great zeal, and reject anything that detracts from or disproves the theory. Conspiracy theories also depend on arrogance on the part of the believer.
The great religions & mystery traditions teach that all things work together for good, however crazy they seem, and that from enlightened perspective, everything makes sense. Poetry & art are rich with evocations of this understanding and we’ve all been touched by it at moments.
The modern conspiracy theory fashion is a murky shadow of a shadow of a shadow of a shadow of this eternal truth, warped and distorted. May it serve to show us, ever more clearly, how to not be swayed by bullshit
