Conspiracy Theory as Art
I first learned of the conspiracy to take over the world in High School, when Droid showed me the wondrous game of Illuminati. Since then I have delved even deeper into conspiracy theory. I read the obligitory Illuminatus Trillogy, and then went on to The Principia Discordia, The Book of the SubGenius, The Illuminati Papers, the collected writings of Tom Robbins, and Illuminoids. I refuse to believe Kenedy was killed by a Lone Gunman, and as for the government story of Roswell I have three words: bull fucking shit. After all of this, I have come to some conclusions of my own about conspiracy theory.
A Definition
I am not talking about all conspiracy theories here. I am talking about the world spanning conspiracies, such as the Bavarian Illuminati. These are the conspiracies of art, as I will show. They describe conspiracies of incredible reach and power, so much that the only reason they do not control the world is that they are fighting amongst themselves over the pieces. Now some people think these conspiracies are too ludicrous to exist, and are just jokes perpetuated by a literary elite. Others, often called insane, believe that these conspiracies exist and play with us like pawns. I have nothing to say on the existence of such conspiracies, but I have something to say about the theories.
If They Are True
Let us assume for a moment that these conspiracy theories are true. Why would they be allowed to exist? The conspiracies would not allow true theories to exist. If the conspiracies exist, and are secret, then their must be a reason for the secrecy. Any theory that could be used as a map to the conspiracy would be suppressed by the conspiracy itself. Additionally, anyone who did use the theory as a map, and did find the conspiracy, would be ruthlessly eliminated. Therefore, if the theories are true, we cannot use them as a map of reality.
If They Are False
Let us now assume that the conspiracy theories are false. Obviously, if they are not true, they cannot be used as a map of reality. However, even the fact that the theories are false cannot be used as a map of reality. If there was any suspicion on the part of the general populace, the obvious solution would be a program of misinformation. Even if it isn't misinformation, just because one theory is false, does not mean that the conspiracies do not necessarily exist.
Conclusion
So in no case can we use conspiracy theories as a map of reality. Then what can we use them as? I have always used them as entertainment, and I look at them as art. There are technical skills involved, in matching theories to historical events, and extrapolating as much as possible without breaking the suspension of disbelief. And there is creativity involved, in fiting the conspiracy into social institutions in new ways. And, of course, they fit my definition of art.
Last Modified 6/7/99
Created 6/7/99