The Nuance of Conspiracy Theories and Governmental Secrecy

As conspiracy theories circulate, they serve to alienate people from their government, leading to mistrust and disillusionment. Conspiracy theories are primarily dedicated to undermining the government, often stirring up fear and division. The real question is, what and who will replace it?

I stand by the US Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, including the conspiracy theorists who, in themselves, are those enemies. It is as simple as that. If you want to delve into conspiracy theories, one need only look at cases like Trump, McConnell, and their moneyed backers.

Governmental management structures are always populated by individuals aiming to create order, and secrecy could indeed help them be more usefully efficient in some ways. However, it could also make them less responsive, undermining public trust and accountability. Both effects cancel each other out, as established by a free press and a judicial system working to a minimally competent degree. If either of these is compromised, it matters even less. There are no secrets, none at all, anywhere for any length of time. Wikileaks has proven that truth, and the digital world has only continued to exacerbate this reality.

The challenge lies in our critical thinking. What we cannot actually prove wrong has been the bane of human thinking since we first started doing so. The more critical one becomes, the less willing they are to accept any theory unless it has actual evidence. However, circumstantial evidence can be seductive, especially when faced with unexplained events. Emotionally, the thought of a conspiracy to explain such events might be tempting, and this is why circumstantial evidence is a legitimate objection in court cases.

Yes, it is always possible that one of these silly theories could conceivably be correct, but the odds of it being the one you are listening to are effectively zero, unless you are listening to a lot of them. The very thing that makes them attractive—lack of evidence—also makes them impossible to disprove.

The key, therefore, lies in developing a balanced approach to critical thinking and skepticism. Understanding that complete transparency and zero-secrecy in government might not always be the ideal, but recognizing the importance of accessible information and checks and balances within the system are crucial. In an era where information is abundant but truth can be elusive, it is essential to enhance our abilities to discern and evaluate the conspiracy theories that surround us.