Conspiracy theories take up a strange place in the public eye. They are a constant reality, and, though many serve as the stuff of absurd jokes in popular culture (most not being taken seriously), they are still very much a part of how we view the world. Even though they may seem like bizarre jokes sometimes and are treated as such, conspiracy theories fuel our sense of mystery, intrigue, and anger towards whatever system governs and controls us. They keep our skepticism alive and well. After all, a good dose of doubt in the institutions that exert so much influence over our lives is healthy, right?
It’s interesting to read an article dealing with national tragedy and terror from this era. Written in 1999, the Oklahoma City Bombing that is discussed is truly the “single worst act of terror ever carried out on American soil”; however this statement does not age well considering the horror of 9/11 that took place only two years later. 2019 provides a much larger pool of conspiracies to choose from: perhaps the perspectives in the article would differ given this greater context. At any length, the article does an impressive job of contextualizing the example Keeley gives on the Oklahoma City bombing, giving a detailed explanation of the event and greatly enhancing with this detail his discussion on what a conspiracy theory can imply and entail.
The idea that conspiracy theories, at least the concept of them, are positive is a new one. Keely’s point that conspiracy theories “attempt to preserve a human meaning” in the chaos and complex and random nature of the world we live in is fascinating. Perhaps the individual theory may do nothing more than call into doubt the government and the media, but the value placed, through the creation of the, in finding meaning in a world where there seems to be less and less each day is commendable. Despite their questionable nature, theorists are perhaps the last human bastion of hope that we can solve the monumental problems we are faced with as a society because yes, there is an underlying order of things, and yes, there are people who have enough control and power to make a difference. Who would have guessed?