CONSPIRACY

Have you noticed that people frequently use the word conspiracy in everyday conversation?

The online dictionary defines this word as: “a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful” Merriam-webster.com states conspiracy implies “a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.”

I have noticed that there are many elements associated with those who are concerned about conspiracies:

1. Breach of tradition – Sometimes change causes people to be suspicious about what is happening. When we are used to things being done a certain way for years, new ideas can cause worry or resistance.

2. Lack of Trust – When you don’t have faith in the leadership or don’t know who is making decisions, you might think that there is something nefarious going on.

3. Influential Acquaintances – Often we are attracted to people who think like we do and then take on beliefs and ideas that they have adopted even without challenging them.

4. Opposing Statistics – Data from different sources can cause confusion and doubt for those who are seeking truth.

5. Gut feelings – Sometimes you just know there is something happening that doesn’t make sense.

6. First Impressions – Remember Chicken Little?  He headed off to tell the King when an acorn fell on his head and he believed the sky was falling.

7. Conflicting Opinions – Anyone who watches television or uses the internet knows that there are many different ways to view and think about every single situation that occurs.

8. Deliberate humour – The Rhino Political Party has proposed promises to amuse and entertain the public.  These include building a railroad to China and towing Antarctica to the Arctic Circle in order control all of the world’s cold, thus being unbeatable if another Cold War starts.  Some might not understand at first that these are jokes.

9. Mental and Emotional Filters – Many people suffer from intellectual or emotional issues that cause them to create or believe ideas that are not based on truth.

10. Public momentum – The more something is talked about and promoted, the more people jump on board!

The interesting thing about conspiracy theories is that often, as time passes, the theory becomes a reality.  Advances in technology, research and collaboration can result in turning the impossible into the possible.

I wonder if people thought that it was a conspiracy when the Wright Brothers talked about building a machine that could fly like a bird?  Was it a conspiracy when Steve Jobs dreamed of a hand-held computer that is now known as the iPhone?

What conspiracies do you believe?  Perhaps it is best not to be too judgmental about the ones other people endorse.

When it comes down to it, I guess it is all the way you look at things!

Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice in Medicine Hat.  She can be reached at 403-529-6877or through email office@drlindahancock.com