Quote Originally Posted by Oh My High
Semantically speaking, in the strict sense, almost all conspiracy theories are not actually theories. Theory is a scientific term which means ??a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena.? Ergo, conspiracy theories are merely only conspiratorial guesses. Watergate and ENRON were conspiracy theories because there was actual evidence, but conspiratorial theories surrounding JFK and the moon landing "hoax" are merely unsubstantiated guesses, for example.

Not to make a point, but I just wanted to that off my chest. Now to make my point:

For every historical event, there seemingly is always a corresponding conspiracy theory (by the looser sense of the word). This notion that events were not what they seem and are caused by secret alternative explanations is bullshit. By and large, with rare exceptions, things happen exactly how they seem. To quote historian Bruce Cumings: "But if conspiracies exist, they rarely move history; they make a difference at the margins from time to time, but with the unforeseen consequences of a logic outside the control of their authors: and this is what is wrong with 'conspiracy theory.' History is moved by the broad forces and large structures of human collectivities."
When it comes to the semantics of the word "theory," you are correct. Most are not theories. I'd say they are hypotheses, to an extent. So yes, you're right about that.

Things are not exactly how they seem. I think it's ignorant to say that everything is exactly how it seems, except in rare exceptions. That is implying that it is very rare for there to be deception on any level of society... even down to the personal level. It's also ignorant to say that government conspiracies are 'very rare', because how would you know if they are? There could be thousands underway right now, or there could be zero, or anything in between... the point is, how would you know? It's not as if government conspiracies are publicized by the perpetrators, or even hinted on. Bruce Cumings could be right about conspiracies, for the most part, not moving history. They are subtle, and I'd so most conspirators aren't out to change the world... but rather for a more individual gain. Either way, it would be ignorant to say that it is impossible that our government was involved with 9/11 on some level.

I can tell you of one conspiracy that changed the course of history: Hitler conspiring with others to burn down the Reischtag, and blaming it on communists to become the chancellor of Germany. And soon thereafter, assuming full dictatorial power over Germany. You could also say how the Soviet Union was created was a conspiracy, and obviously changed history. But yes, it isn't very often that conspiracies will change the world. However, once again, that doesn't mean that right now there isn't one underway. Through many subtle and connecting conspiracies, the world can be changed over time.

I will admit that a lot of the conspiracy 'theories' (or guesses as you say) are really far-out. But nothing is impossible, and conspiracies are not an exception to that.

Also, I'd like to comment about the news and media on the topic of "everything is exactly as it seems." Maybe you already know what I'm going to get at with this one. But it's pretty obvious that the media does a very good job at creating a false sense of reality. The news networks, I'd say, are the most notorious for this. Propaganda, etc. So how can everything be exactly as it seems, when people are persuaded by biased news? It creates a false reality. I believe that things are only exactly as they seem if you know exactly how they are. It's how you perceive the world which dictates how true or false that statement is.

Take care