The conspiracy theory and why it won’t die (1)
This week, I attended a London event of the Skeptics In The Pub grouping. It was addressed by the writer David Aaronovitch who spoke about his recent book “Voodoo Histories” which is subtitled “The Role of the Conspiracy Theory in Shaping Modern History”. I attended the event with my good friend and fellow skeptic Eric who bought me the book for my birthday. In fact, I’ve not read it yet, but I took the opportunity to have it signed by the author.
Aaronovitch was very fluent and persuasive. He talked about long-standing conspiracy theories such as the Protocols of the Elders of Zion which is still propogated by the likes of Hamas and Iran and he explored more contemporary conspiracy theories such as those suggesting that man did not land on the moon, Princess Diana was murdered and 9/11 was a plot by the American government or Israeli secret service. He was asked why so many people – often intelligent – believe so firmly such arrant nonsense and he suggested that it was because of “the human appetite for narrative”.
I have myself written about “Why People Believe Weird Things”.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:45 pm
What has happened to you, Roger? You used to be sceptical but now you are skeptical. Is it all part of a greater konspiracy?
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Good point, Philip.
I am a sceptic but the grouping calls itself Skeptics.
I am happy to make this klarification.
September 24th, 2009 at 10:07 am
I’m convinced that the move from ‘c’ to ‘k’ is another manifestation of the continued re-Hellenisation of the world, by the chipping away of the current Latin hegemony. Another clever, but subtle, example was the casting of John Travolta (Italian/Irish/American) as the star of Grease (sp). Be afraid people.