The Conspiracist Chronicles: Chapter 1
The Conspiracist Chronicles: Chapter 1
Arming the masses with tropes and cop-outs to combat evidence based arguments is the most effective way to enact unpopular policy
The birds have been singing for only an hour or so, yet the political divisiveness continues to fester. The sleep induced blur in my vision is still present as I attempt to read the inconveniently tiny words in the scathing reply from a regular political combatant of mine. I can feel the blood rushing to my face as I ingest each slanderous word being slung at my ego-laden sense of self. Once again, I find myself in a gridlocked political pissing-match at 6:20 AM.
“Put your phone down... you’re driving,” I mumbled to myself as I made my way sluggishly to the construction site. “This naysayer is not worth my time, nor the risk to myself and others.”
Moments later I realized I cruised a quarter mile without pulling my gaze away from the glowing screen nestled between my fingers.
The familiarity of overworked faces waiting to greet me with declarations of disdain for their mundane existence is what I now look forward to as I begin my day. However, don’t be mistaken. This is a consistently mutual demeanor held amongst this hodgepodge team of laborers—myself included.
Was it my regular tardiness resulting from my daughter’s daycare opening when my work day is slated to begin? Was it my failure to plan or adapt, leaving my crew directionless and disgruntled? Maybe it was my perpetual parts-procurement trips. Perhaps it was the seemingly never ending responsibility of documenting the events, man hours, and subtle changes unfolding on the job.
Whatever it was, I felt the gnawing presence that radiated this profoundly debilitating energy.
I couldn’t shake this feeling that I was being bombarded with unwelcome criticisms, but these critiques were quickly becoming internalized. They were morphing into a sort of self loathing.
*Ding*
The reply read, “Why do you buy into every single right-wing conspiracy theory?”
To me, there are few insults that amount to anything when coming from the endless sea of “randos” on Facebook or 𝕏. My ego is not so easily overwrought. But this time, I snapped.
“What is the point in discussing anything with you,” I quickly replied. “I can’t even take you seriously. Shit, dude. Every single fucking morning you use this bullshit cop-out to dismiss anything I say! Despite my plethora of evidence and sources, you somehow manage to obfuscate the facts with half-baked arguments that, once challenged, eventually devolve into insults to my intelligence and result in you calling me a conspiracy theorist.”
Still failing to understand the source of my suffering, I eagerly awaited the replies to my rebuttal. The ridiculousness of engaging with someone who seeks to derail debate, with something so clearly lacking in intellectual honesty, is what I failed to recognize. In these moments where I lacked insight, succumbing to the temptation to clap-back was inevitable — all in an attempt to salvage my perceived legitimacy.
Pondering for a moment, I said to myself, “Is this really the path forward?”
I lifted my focus from the handheld black hole of distressing interactions to see disappointment in my coworkers eyes. Suddenly, an unfamiliar clarity washed over me.
My own well-being, and the morale of those who were assigned to me, were unduly degraded by my obsessive desire to argue on my own behalf over issues I have little-to-no control over.
The shackles of incessant notifications whose design was intent on pulling me into the rabbit hole of bountiful arguments that lead no where, had finally loosened their grip.
As this burdensome weight lifted from my being, the wounds I unintentionally inflicted upon myself started to mend. I turned towards my coworker with a slight grin, and said, “I should probably just put my fucking phone down, huh?”
“Conspiracy Theories” uncover conspiracies.
This term is simply a weapon for demoralization when used in a derogatory and dismissive manner.
Don’t play into this nonsense. Instead, let’s take back what’s ours.
Without obsessive inquisitiveness, we will remain victim to a system we’re intended to have sole authority over. We do not need the approval of those in power to speak. We do not need the consent of the current power structure to self-govern in a manner that’s beneficial to our interests.
We mustn’t allow our most valuable tools at our disposal to become weapons for those serving their interests over the people’s. Do not be divided. Stay united.