I've been reading the history of Rome's decline lately. One of the things I've learned is that much of the Empire's history was determined by conspiracies amongst a few rich families and high ranking military officers. There were actually periods where Emperors were assassinated every few months because powerful conspirators decided it. I find it fascinating that in our contemporary culture, you are labeled as insane if you suggest that cabals of powerful people are actually running the show.
@chuck by definition, the "elites" ALWAYS run the show. The reason this is resisted isn't that it isn't true, but that the implications are too terrifying to admit.
The entire purpose of both religion and conspiracy theories is to create the idea that there is a plan and "someone" is in charge. To think otherwise is to live in a chaotic and random universe, and that lack of control is existential dred at it's finest.
To be at the mercy of random chance is worse than being a slave to any god.
@tfmonkey @chuck
I don't believe that the point of conspiracy theories is to find stability in belief that one group is in charge.
While I do have a strong need to find patterns, it's still better to understand that the world is fucked, and exactly how it's fucked then just be surprised when the consequences finally do come.
