OMG It's a conspiracy!

[angry nomad]

Semantically speaking, in the strict sense, almost all conspiracy theories are not actually theories. Theory is a scientific term which means â??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.â?� 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."

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
the·o·ry /ˈθiəri, ˈθɪəri/ Pronunciation Key [thee-uh-ree, theer-ee]
â??noun, plural -ries.
1. a coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation for a class of phenomena: Einstein's theory of relativity.
2. a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact.
3. Mathematics. a body of principles, theorems, or the like, belonging to one subject: number theory.
4. the branch of a science or art that deals with its principles or methods, as distinguished from its practice: music theory.
5. a particular conception or view of something to be done or of the method of doing it; a system of rules or principles.
6. contemplation or speculation.
7. guess or conjecture.
[Origin: 1590â??1600; < LL theōria < Gk theōrÃ*a a viewing, contemplating, equiv. to theōr(eǐn) to view + -ia -y3]

â??Synonyms 1. Theory, hypothesis are used in non-technical contexts to mean an untested idea or opinion. A theory in technical use is a more or less verified or established explanation accounting for known facts or phenomena: the theory of relativity. A hypothesis is a conjecture put forth as a possible explanation of phenomena or relations, which serves as a basis of argument or experimentation to reach the truth: This idea is only a hypothesis.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

angry nomad Reviewed by angry nomad on 10-10-2007. OMG It's a conspiracy! What pops into your mind when you hear the word, "conspiracy"? Conspiracies are real. Conspiracy theories are theories until proven true or untrue. If you and two of your friends decide you are going to play a prank on your big brother, that is a conspiracy. The Founding Fathers conspired against Great Britian. The Nazis conspired against the German government. Conspiracy automatically has a negative connotation. Many people think of a kook with a sign shouting unintelligibly and Rating: 5