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Types of Conspiracy
Techniques > General Persuasion > Conspiracy Theories > Types of Conspiracy Surveillance | Hiding | Control | Deaths | Warfare | Technology | Paranormal | See also
While there are many conspiracy theories, there are relatively few contexts and types of conspiracy theory that commonly appear. SurveillanceBasic theoryWe are all being watched. Data is being gathered on us. Variants
ExamplesGovernment agencies are collecting huge amounts of data on everyone. Whatever you do on your computer, it is being collected. There are spies everywhere. Even your friends may be spies. DiscussionSurveillance may not directly harm but it is not nice. First, there is the distress of intrusion, of the invasion of privacy. We also fear that the data may somehow be used against us. Most people have done things that are not legal, from taking home stationery from the office to downloading copyrighted products. They hence worried that they will be found out, prosecuted and convicted. HidingBasic theorySomething is being hidden from us. Variants
ExamplesThe government knows about alien landings and is not telling us. Oil companies know ways of producing energy at very low cost but are hiding it in order to sell the more profitable oil. Tesla invented incredible machines. The FBI have his papers that describe these. DiscussionBeing hidden in some way is an aspect of many conspiracy theories. When something is hidden, it may be immediately assumed that those involved have something to hide, that what they are doing is bad or illegal, and that if their actions were known, they would be severely censured. ControlBasic theoryPeople are controlling us without our knowledge. Variants
ExamplesThe government are putting drugs in the water supply to subdue an otherwise activist population. Military suppliers have such influence over governments, they are able to control the start and course of wars. Hollywood is under the control of communists. DiscussionControl is a deep need so control theories are particularly disturbing. In fact many conspiracy theories have the tussle for control as a fundamental element. For example the notion of a thing being hidden is about control of access. Money gives control, so rich people and companies are often accused of having more control than they admit. Laws implement control, so the motivations for setting up of laws are often suspect. Control may be attributed to rich or powerful groups, including in government, business and religions. DeathsBasic theoryPeople who died were actually killed. Variants
ExamplesPresident Kennedy was assassinated by the CIA. There are people in prisons who are paid to kill other problem prisoners. A government scientist who opposed war strangely committed suicide. DiscussionSome people can be problem, for example where they have information that they may expose about governments or companies, or where they may be stirring up activists who will cause other trouble. When there is no legal way to control them, then the easiest way is to kill them. Governments and those in power obviously cannot do this openly, so they use clandestined methods and assassins to get rid of the problem people. WarfareBasic theoryWars are started for political and personal gain. Variants
ExamplesThe Iraq invasion was based on 'knowledge' of weapons of mass destruction (but actually was already intended by President Bush). The attack on Pearl Harbor was already known about, but nothing was done as this would give an excuse to enter the second world war. DiscussionWar kills so many people it can easily be seen as immoral. Yet they happen and may be sustained for many years. How they start is not always clear, and information on which the initiation is based may later be found to be false. The use of propaganda in war is seen as a legitimate means of managing motivation and morale (of allies and enemies). In fact military activities can be more about morale than gaining ground. TechnologyBasic theoryTechnology has been developed but is not public. Variants
ExamplesCars have been developed that run on water, but patents have been bought by car and oil companies. Time travel has been developed. DiscussionTechnology is often disruptive, creating big shifts in not only in how we use it, but also in the competitive landscape, with even big companies going bankrupt as alternative technologies become feasible and popular. This gives rise to ideas of companies suppressing new technologies in order to stay maximally profitable. Governments may also become involved when it means sustaining the economy and helping their political backers. They also become very interested if the technology leads to international power, such as the invention of new forms of weapons. Technology theories are fed by science fiction, which is often rooted in feasible science and which has preceded actual inventions from hovercraft to mobile phones. ParanormalBasic theoryParanormal things are real. Variants
ExamplesThe Roswell Incident and the capture of alien spacecraft. The Russians were using psychics to help their chess champions win matches. DiscussionWe all have a need for stimulation, as is seen in the sensational headlines of newspapers. The idea that paranormal things are true is thrilling in a way that new science can be exciting. Paranormal things are largely 'outside science' in that they cannot be proven or disproven and so are ignored by scientists. This silence may be taken as proof of something being hidden. See alsoPolitics, Conversion techniques, Being Right
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