Simplification is the work of geniuses or simpletons. What strikes me most in our time is the great propensity to want to simplify everything. Conspiracy is the attempt to simplify the causality of events even though this contributes to moving away from the truth. The human mind has difficulty in grasping contradictions. Yet it is from these contradictions that complexity and depth are born. Dualism pushes us to see the world in black and white when it is mainly made of shades of gray. We would therefore naturally tend to simplify, which makes us potential conspiracists.
Pareto’s Law, Mother Of Conspiracy?
If there is one concept that has been popularized on the web in recent years, it is Pareto’s law or the so-called 80/20 law, i.e. that 80 percent of the consequences originate in 20 percent of the causes. In many cases, this ratio goes up to 95/5 or even 99/1. This is where the temptation to simplify everything comes in. If this rule is true in most cases, then one can easily extrapolate to the causality of events. Thus, all the great catastrophes would each find their origin in one and the same cause. This is tempting, it is a comfort for the mind, however, it is not the way to think about the world accurately. For example, when we think of the causes that led to the Second World War, it is an extreme simplification to say that it was the capitalist will of the European elites that led to the conflict. Very often, the wills that seem obvious are in fact only the consequences of a pre-existing soil with multiple ramifications. German expansionism in the 1930s was linked to the fear of its European neighbors, most of whom were colonial powers. Similarly, this expansionism was made possible by the advanced industrialization of the country. The impoverishment of Germany as a result of the First World War and the crisis of 1929 allowed the proliferation of populist ideas. European pacifism, as a reaction to the First World War, could not nip the militarization of Germany in the bud. And one could continue this reasoning indefinitely to find the chain of causes leading to the Second World War. In reality, it was a succession of events and choices that led to the greatest planetary conflict and not the will of an elite.
From Contraction Comes Complexity, And Conspiracy Theory Does Not Resist Its Assaults For Long
We live in a world full of complex relationships, often hidden beneath the surface of our everyday lives. From trade networks to political alliances, from financial investments to diplomatic negotiations, it’s easy to see how these webs of intricate interweaving can form, intertwine, and shift to form the world we see around us today.
But in modern times, these webs of complexity are often met with suspicion, especially when details remain unclear. When the source of information remains uncertain, a sense of distrust can slowly form, eventually leading to the birth of conspiracy theories.
From contraction comes complexity and it’s easy to see why conspiracy theories are so often employed as a response to unknowns. As relationships and events grow and intertwine, their associated information becomes harder to parse and comprehend, feeding into the feelings of uncertainty and dread surrounding our interconnected yet largely unseen world.
Conspiracy theories offer a simplified, digestible narrative and have become a popular way to explain away complexities which remain unfamiliar. However, no amount of conspiracy theory can shield us from the underlying complexities of our globalised world. Eventually, we must address these underlying complexities, with an open mind and a critical eye, in order to make sense of the world around us.
Therefore, it’s important to remember that the complexity of our world shouldn’t be seen as something easier to ignore than to consider or confront. Contraction often leads to complexity and, in turn, conspiracy theories; but if we can embrace this complexity, we may begin to realise the truth behind our interconnected global system.
By investigating the ins and outs of our world, from economic to environmental issues, from healthcare to security, we can understand our interconnectedness and, in doing so, come to grip with the realities of our global society. This can help in uncovering the truth, allowing us to make informed decisions, and better prepare for the future.
In short, it is clear that from contraction comes complexity and conspiracy theory does not resist its assaults for long. It is only through dedicating ourselves to fully understanding the intricacies of our world can we come to grips with the complex network of interconnectedness in our globalised world. Thus, while conspiracy theories might be a popular way to explain uncertainty, it will only be by digging beneath the surface can we uncover the truth and prepare for a more stable future.
