How Conspiracy Theories Damage The Resistance

[Hippie3]

i know you've all seen me wig out
on some crackpot theories
like the illuminati, greys, 911, etc.

some ask why i do this
instead of helping fan the fire.

they claim they are messengers of secret truths,
waging the good fight,
resisting and rebelling.

but these theories actually work against us.
foremost they make us look ridiculous,
uninformed and uneducated.
people do not take that nonsense seriously.
nor those who spout it.

but in my opinion
these theories are alot like what one theory claims-
they are meant to cover the real problems
distract people from real world action
and instead get them paranoid,
looking for hidden agendas, aliens, military cabals, etc.
when our real enemies are in plain sight.

it's how some claim that the government
hides ET and covers up 'real' ufo sightings-
by encouraging crackpots of all kinds
and planting faked photos, staged crop circles, etc.

well it is being done,
but not to ET,
it's being done to all of us.
no need to worry
about the clash between islam & christendom
when the 'real' culprit for 911 was bush.
no need to make hard decisions about fuels
for a post-oil economy,
it's all a lie by Big Oil and the Government,
right ?

by flooding the info arena with huge amounts
of disinformation
it becomes harder to find any real info.
websites pretending to be scientific
bedazzle those lacking the expertise to judge,
and churn out apostles by the thousands,
preaching free power from tesla,
limitless benefits from zero-point energy,
etc.

divide and conquer.
they need to add one more word now-
confuse then divide and conquer.
so instead of folks organizing themselves
to take political power legitimately
to make changes we can see & touch,
we get folks wasting money on useless books,
more hours reading them,
and then they go around like
jehovahs witnesses
trying to convert everyone to
whatever they last read.
they think they help
but they only hurt.

our enemies in this culture & time
are real enough-
pollution, crime, unemployment, domestic violence
to just name a few.
these are the issues where
our resistance to being tossed on
society's trash pile
and our rebellion against the status quo
is better spent networking with other activists,
building cooperative neighborhoods,
than by ranting about
some crazy shit dreamed up
by lunatics or worse.

[Mr. Clean]

righteous post, amigo!

100% true, every word

now, if only more people would just be real! you can bet 9 out of 10 'conspiracy theorists' know they are spreading bullshit. rather than come clean, they feed into crack pot theories for their own selfish amusement. i for one, refuse to tolerate such blasphemy.

[Fresh Brewed]

[partially_veiled]

Awesome and insightful post, Hip. Butttt I get the feeling you're not the type of dude who needs his back patted, so I'll leave my compliments at that.

I agree... About two years ago, when I really started to "wake up" (although it HAS been a more or less life long process of breaking the mold I was supposedly born/bred into, the last 2 years have been by far the most amazing and revelatory for me...), I really started to get into all of that stuff. I had ALWAYS been interested in the fringe and what happens at the edge; especially in regards to aliens, ancient civilizations/technologies, quantum weirdness, the true (unfiltered, one might call it) nature of reality and energy, and all the endless mysteries of life (and science!!). However, about 2 years ago I started really reading into different "conspiracy theories" related to many of these interests...especially re: ETs, ancient civilizations, "cover-ups" of all sorts, alternative history/geology and many other "alternative" ideas about generally accepted scientific data/processes, religious mythology and the all pervasive secret society and government/big corporations conspiracies. That's just sort of the tip of the ice berg, but you all see where I'm going.

In the beginning it felt like I was on to something. I really felt like I was learning "forbidden knowledge" (as if TRULY "forbidden knowledge" would be so readily available...), but within a few short months it had degraded to serious depression. It is one of those things...there is SO much info on conspiracy theory plastered all over popular informational sources such as the internet, that this is an endless vortex of searching...never getting to any real conclusive, satisfying answers and always following the trail of the elusive mystery. I'm all in for not getting the answers I'm seeking/expecting and for being forced to "chase the mystery", so to speak...but this stuff was different. It was nothing but stress, piling up. All these unanswered questions that, if their theories HAPPENED to be true would have a massive effect on what's "really going on" in the world (behind the scenes and on the stage...), but also would be a horrifying picture of reality. So, in the end, what you end up having (what I ended up with at least) is some very flimsy ideas which are based almost entirely on speculation, and when taken to heart lead to MASSIVE depression based on A) the shocking, counter-intuitive and "dark" nature of these accusations/theories and B) the feeling of powerlessness created by being told that these things are going on all around you, every single day, but they are so secretive and well guarded that 99.9% of the population will move through life without ever even realizing these "truths", much less without having an opportunity to change them or see justice installed.

In the end of this flirtation with conspiracy I decided that even if some of these theories happened to be true, the majority are more than likely intentional disinformation spread with the purpose of doing exactly what you've claimed they do, and exactly what I can confirm (through personal experience) does happen to someone with the right disposition: immobilization through confusion, fear and feelings of insignificance and helplessness re: the "big picture" aspect of these far reaching theories. I still love all of the "fringe" stuff I was into before, but have learned a valuable lesson about getting too caught up in flights of fancy, and perhaps a lesson about practicality as well...

Anyway, I just edited out another several paragraphs because I really feel like I could talk about this topic forever...and I think many people are in the same boat, so there's no reason to burden this post with a MASSIVE response...I bet it's going to be busy enough as is . Be back to check it out again, I'm sure. Clean your minds people...searching under every grain of sand for all the information you can gather is a good practice, but developing critical/analytical abilities (and some fucking common sense...) is a necessary one as well...in tandem, this is a purposeful quest for answers/guidance. Without the skepticism however, you end up feeling like you're getting miles ahead of others, while in reality you're as bad as the vacuous ninnies who sit in front of the Television all day, pulling in their "must have facts" about the life of celebrities and the daily events happening on that oh so unbiased Television news...Multiply your sources of info, multiply your skepticism, and trust no one more than your inner, inner being...for when you're on to something bad, you'll feel it (for me it was manifest as depression), but when you're on to something good...well, you'll feel that as well...all comes from the same spot, IMO. Keep on searching, fellow Topiates.

[WilliamsEyeLophori]

i saw a really cool documentery on tv the other day about alien conspiacy, and government cover-ups, it was revoutionary, eye opening, ill never lookat the world the same... it was about this guy in search of truth, he worked for the government and he was uncovering their dirty secrets rigtht under their nose, until he got fired...fox moulder was a great man... he will be missed

[Hippie3]

within a few short months it had degraded to serious depression. It is one of those things...there is SO much info on conspiracy theory plastered all over popular informational sources such as the internet, that this is an endless vortex of searching...never getting to any real conclusive, satisfying answers and always following the trail of the elusive mystery. I'm all in for not getting the answers I'm seeking/expecting and for being forced to "chase the mystery", so to speak...but this stuff was different. It was nothing but stress, piling up. All these unanswered questions that, if their theories HAPPENED to be true would have a massive effect on what's "really going on" in the world (behind the scenes and on the stage...), but also would be a horrifying picture of reality.

exactly,
it's negative, attacking your very grip on reality
playing off your fears, paranoia.
in many aspect it's similar to the doomsday cults,
people cut themselves off from the world at large,
immersing themselves in a bizarro-world
where everything you used to believe is a lie
and the lie you just heard
is your new reality.

i agree as well that some of it is deliberate, malicious-
for sadistic amusement perhaps but also to muddy issues.
for example the 9/11 conspiracy theories-
if i were al qaeda
i'd gladly pay for the kind of coverage given
to theories that claim the US did it to itself.
it's kinda like how they say the devil works-
they say the greatest lie ever told by the devil
was that the devil does not exist.
by parallel
bin laden and al qaeda don't exist, to some-
or they work for the CIA.

[roc]

Damn wise words Hip and I'm glad you addressed it!

I learned a long time ago about self-fullfilling prophecies and will caution everyone to turn off the news and pass on the constant barrage of negative shit and look around yourself and continue on.

Hell all of Europe sits over there and is laughing their ass off at the americans - hell they been paying more than we currently pay for fuel for decades. Think about it - europe has strong currency compared to ours right now.

All the people around these parts are caught up in doom and gloom... china this, china that and the whole time whining and bitching about how bad it is! I've only been in this area about 3 years and I must say I have never had it better! I try to help them out while they are getting depressed and immobilized but they think I am some idiot or something. Me and 3 others (2 from El Salvador) are sold out clear into Sept right now. The locals are sitting on the porches just whining and bitching while the Midwest farm boy and friends go out and grab whats available. We made some minor changes due to fuel cost lately like one guy picks up the other two in one vehicle (cheapest one to run and cost split by 3) and the other two of us chose to buy a home with a couple of miles of where we work and we don't drive separate vehicles anymore. Hell it makes us stop and think - nothing wrong with that!

Anyways enough of my rant I'm off to water my pepper plants... first little grow I've done in years and it's all in plastic 5 gal buckets I got for free. Previously I would have spent money for shit like this but heh what the hell my ancestors adjusted and if it got bad enough they just pack up and move (no fun wintering in the mountains) so they went to better places for the summer.

Americans are due to get over their status symbol bullshit called the automobile...

Ok I'll stop.

[Doctor D]

Well put, Hippie. I agree 100%. I appreciate it when you give the smackdown whenever nonsense is spouted.

There seems to be an overabundance of conspiracy types on mushroom forums like this one. Do you think mushrooms encourage the indulgence in conspiracy theories, or do conspiracy theorists just naturally gravitate toward mind expanding drugs? Kind of a chicken-or-the-egg question, I guess...

Or do you think there is no correlation at all, that conspiracy theorists abound no matter where you go on the internet? Whatever the reason, I get discouraged when I see so many people lacking a working bullshit detector.

[Beastmaster]

In general, tripping is an escape from reality. as are conspiracy theories and other fictional forms of entertainment. Trippers are generally looking to escape from reality, the reality of their 'normal' lives, drudgery in general, and especially from the massive problems that are facing us in this day and age, its alot easier to stop wondering whats gonna happen in real life and drop out of reality with Ellis Dee as your guide and discover the 'truth'.

carry your new conspiracy theory with you, or your new theory about god, life, the universe or anything else, and it becomes your security blanket. Anytime the elections, or the economy, or the gas prices, or the wars, or anything else starts to get you down, just remember how these things fit into your new scheme and the fear drops away a bit as you spend time figuring out how these puzzle pieces fit together.

its easy, try it, you'll like it, c'mon everyone's doing it these days...

[bugs]

chuckle, chuckle
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE conspiracy theories. They're really entertaining. But there's a really good point floating around this thread, that I hadn't really thought about before.
Just as drug propaganda, the old commie/McCarthy scare, the liberal/gay attack on "family values" etc. have served to keep the "mainstream" from examining what's really happening in the world, so do the various Bohemian Grove, Triadic Commission, Illuminati, UFO propaganda for people who are, let's say, on the other side of the ideological border. Fear is a great control vector, no matter where applied.
Good observation folks.
It's all a conspiracy!

[Hippie3]

conspiracy theorists abound no matter where you go on the internet

that's been my experience.
we have no monopoly on nutjobs.

[eatyualive]

so your saying we weren't made by et? damn...there goes that argument...

anyway, its all a tall tale till someone proves it. who knows what the truth is anymore. however, i don't believe much of what is told to us by media or government.]


conspiracy theories are a great way to cover up something.. that way ppl talk about that instead of what is really going on.


like lets say for instance, secret government weapons ie war, unmanned drones things like that.

if you think its aliens, then there is no reason to look deeper than that....

[eatyualive]

Originally Posted by roc

Damn wise words Hip and I'm glad you addressed it!

I learned a long time ago about self-fullfilling prophecies and will caution everyone to turn off the news and pass on the constant barrage of negative shit and look around yourself and continue on.

hell, ain't that the truth. nothing positive on the news can't even watch it anymore...all i want to see is the weather. damnit..lol

[Hippie3]

with both government and media
you gotta learn to
use multiple sources
and
read between the lines.
they do tell the truth, for the most,
just not
the whole truth
nor
nothing but the truth-
it's like sifting the sand to find the gold nuggets.
still i'd prefer the public media like CNN
over various web blogs-
the networks are under harder scrutiny
and know that a lie will be exposed
by a rival or an enemy.

[Myc]

I'm all for working in the solution.
Bitching about a problem never solved anything.
So how, as individuals or even as a community, do we go forward from here?
How do we affect some real change to the current status of events?

The price at the pump has a small monetary effect but the generalized attitude of fear it creates is damaging the economy - and in turn- my income.

Those are some of the questions I've asked myself lately.
On an individual level, I do what I can to direct attention away from the smoke and mirrors politics by speaking frankly with the people I meet in my day to day activities. That's pretty much like trying to catch a deluge in a paper cup but, at least it's something.

How do we reach a larger audience to begin reversing the effects of mass media/ propaganda?

[Hippie3]

lucysd & others-
your remarks were largely incoherent
posts removed.

this thread is at my high standard-
rambings or rants
by conspiracy nuts
not welcome.

start yer own thread
about the benefits of consp. theories.
:P

[aumbrellaforainydays]

Originally Posted by Myc

I'm all for working in the solution.
Bitching about a problem never solved anything.
So how, as individuals or even as a community, do we go forward from here?
How do we affect some real change to the current status of events?

The price at the pump has a small monetary effect but the generalized attitude of fear it creates is damaging the economy - and in turn- my income.

Those are some of the questions I've asked myself lately.
On an individual level, I do what I can to direct attention away from the smoke and mirrors politics by speaking frankly with the people I meet in my day to day activities. That's pretty much like trying to catch a deluge in a paper cup but, at least it's something.

How do we reach a larger audience to begin reversing the effects of mass media/ propaganda?

bitching has never done any harm. its a sign that someone has noticed something worth bitching about. its what they are bitching about and how much they are committed to bitching that begins to reach the door of just being bitchy for no other reason than to bitch.

but eventually their bitchin' has to turn to action. if you keep bitchin' with you mouth but refuse to move you body, then you're about as good as those conspiracists who just want to stir the cauldron of uncertainty. dividing the masses from truly understanding.

speak frankly, but we shouldnt speak unless there is a route that can provide an answer. conspiracies on the other hand lead to more questions than answers. thats when somebody with their opinion comes in and "connects" imaginary dots in history with so called facts and claims if this is so, then that must be. this is where we got to get the facts straight and speak frankly. if not, then this disinformation will spread.

The truth is out there in front of you, but they lay out this buffet of lies!
I'm sick of it, and I'm not gonna take a bite out of it! Do you got me?
Resistance is not futile. We're gonna win this thing.
Humankind is too good! We're not a bunch of underachievers!
We're gonna stand up and we're gonna be human beings!
We're gonna get fired up about the real things, the things that matter: creativity and the dynamic human spirit that refuses to submit!
Well, that's it! That's all I got to say! It's in your court.

The quest is to be liberated from the negative, which is really our own will to nothingness.
And once having said yes to the instant, the affirmation is contagious.
It bursts into a chain of affirmations that knows no limit.
To say yes to one instant...
is to say yes to all of existence.

You're here because you know something. What you know,
you can't explain. But you feel it. You've felt it your
entire life. That there's something wrong with the world.
You don't know what it is, but it's there...like a splinter
in you're mind, driving you mad. It is this feeling that has
brought you to me. Do you know what I'm talking about?

[partially_veiled]

Very nice post aumbrella! I'm right on board with you re: the idea that complaining and realizing what is wrong and unjust in the beginning is key, but that real change doesn't occur until you begin to take action. So many people see, and refuse to act. Strangeness. Anyway, just wanted to ask where those last two quotes were from? Whoever spoke those words is not only totally accurate (IMHO), but also must be a very old, wise, and eloquent soul. Very moving and clear...really interesting stuff!

I also wanted to add that I DO believe there are some conspiracies out there, in fact, probably many...but they're not of the caliber/darkness that "popular", extreme, conspiracy theories seem to favor. I mean, sure governments and the like aren't telling the truth all of the time, in fact there is probably a very substantial amount of disinformation propagated intentionally...but that doesn't mean that George Bush is running around doing the bidding of a multi-national, old and powerful, secret society...doesn't mean the Gummymint isn't corrupted, either (I'd look to Corporations and such for sources of "corruptive influence" long before I'd look to the Freemasons...). Still, believing that the Masons run the country (or some whacked out accusation of that nature...there are many to choose from...) is a huge leap of faith to take with such flimsy "proof" (see: speculation). Just because people are liars, power/war mongers and downright evil, misguided people...that DOESN'T have to mean they are in bed with some all powerful group attempting total control... Hell, one demented mind (Hitler is the most recent obvious example we'd all be familiar with, but again there are MANY examples...) is all it takes to start a drive towards utter insanity, injustice fueled by both prejudice and ignorance, and mass control...it doesn't require a secret society to get all this stuff done, we as individuals and groups of individuals are more than capable of doing some horrible things, with or without all the secret connotations.

So yeah, I guess my argument is this:

Secret societies and various conspiracies undoubtedly do exist, and "total disclosure" is simply not a term that is valid to use re: Govs, Corps, the Media, etc. and therefore there is little doubt in my mind that things are in fact not exactly as they seem on the surface. That's probably true of most aspects of life...when do we EVER see exactly what's happening upon first look? No...the truth takes much searching to find, and often there is simply no such thing as one conclusive truth...all situations have many sides. That being said, jumping from admitting that the information being fed to the public is less than accurate/honest to the notion that we are being controlled by Greys from Zeta Reticuli is quite the "leap of faith" indeed...there is conspiracies, but they're most likely not as huge and dark as most of us would like to believe... To be sure, there are PROFOUND secrets to be learned along lifes journey...we don't need the notion of conspiracies to make it so...so much awaits us in this world.

[prism1234]

I am always in the mood for a good fish story, True or not...

[aumbrellaforainydays]

Originally Posted by partially_veiled

Anyway, just wanted to ask where those last two quotes were from? Whoever spoke those words is not only totally accurate (IMHO), but also must be a very old, wise, and eloquent soul. Very moving and clear...really interesting stuff!

first one is from a rant by a guy in a old car with a speakerphone in a movie, "waking life"

second one was inspired none other than this guy:
if you dont know this movie... well, then u better start renting more movies.

[Hippie3]

you quote movies like preachers quote the bible ?

how about cartoons,
any changed your life ?

movies ain't real, man.
about the same as conspiracy theories.

just a written script
from some mega-corp
meant to entertain you
and enrich them.
it ain't philosophy 110.

[aumbrellaforainydays]

Originally Posted by Hippie3

you quote movies like preachers quote the bible ?

how about cartoons,
any changed your life ?

movies ain't real, man.
about the same as conspiracy theories.

just a written script
from some mega-corp
meant to entertain you
and enrich them.
it ain't philosophy 110.

well do you prefer me to quote ancient prophets or modern screenwriters? whats the difference between a screenplay, ancient manuscripts and philosophical textbooks?
all are written by someone, with the same intent to entertain the intellect. i say, dont believe anything said by anybody, let the words speak to your senses, contemplate the truth of it, if none, than judge it to be nothing but a distraction and move on.

some cartoons that did impact me, and maybe more core to the truth: the flintstones, the jetsons, ren and stimpy, pinky and the brain, the simpsons, southpark...

okay heres one: "man does not live by bread alone"

[Hippie3]

whats the difference between a screenplay, ancient manuscripts and philosophical textbooks?

if you do not know
there's not much point
in spending my time
on it,
you've already had plenty.

but a hint-
a lot more thought
goes into a philosophy textbook.
it took many wise, learned men
at least 1000 years
to write the bible as we know it-
how long did it take for the Wachowski brothers
to write the script for The Matrix ?

[partially_veiled]

Should have recognized those quotes, as I own both movies.

On the other note, and I'll try hard to keep it short because this is OT for this thread, but I also agree that movies can teach, inspire and illuminate quite profoundly. All creative output has the capacity to do this. Sure, it is not as well mapped out, deep and thought provoking as good philosophical dialogue or spiritual scripture, but many films draw from those sources of knowledge (and many, many other worthy sources as well) to create new messages, more applicable/easy to assimilate in a different, more modern context...

I don't really care for the Matrix, for the most part, so that's a bad example for me...but if you really want to believe that there is no value to movies then I say you're watching the wrong movies...MANY film makers have made profoundly thought provoking and stimulating movies, and while it may not make you think critically about the world as deeply as rigorous philosophical discourse, study of classical/esoteric sources of knowing, etc., this part of the spectrum of creative human expression CERTAINLY has its merits... The problem is that like most art forms, there have been two main streams of film making happening pretty much from the very very start: the big $$ "Hollywood" type pictures, and the smaller more independent pictures. IMO one does not equal the other, for the most part. Although there have been many "big budget" movies made over the years that are PHENOMENAL, especially older/foreign films, the vast majority are mass marketed garbage, IMO (Designed to fill some fat cats pocket, as you already pointed out Hip. These days they're designed to sell products as well...which should tip you off to the "creative freedom" given to any writer/director of these big, big budget films...). These movies are made to tune you out of reality for a few hours so you can get a couple of kicks at the dick and fart jokes and follow along with the predictable little story line. Nothing wrong with all that, but I DON'T agree that this sort of stuff is all film has to offer...I personally have found so much beauty and inspiration in certain movies that I know I took something meaningful enough away from them to make my viewing more than just "pure entertainment". Also, film making is an art form which, while many North Americans have captured it's beauty and essence, IME seems to have been perfected more readily in other parts of the world...just a thought.

Anyway, in the end NO, I doubt you'll ever find a movie that can change your life in the way that other sources of information, complied over more time and with more resources, are capable of doing...but that doesn't mean they're without worth. The end product of creative endeavor is (IMO) only limited by the passion/vision of the individual who crafted it...

[FDK]

Life is like a box of chocolates after all.

[Oblivion]

A guy in england was complaining to me about all the gun toting crazy americans. He then proceeded to tell me that the moon landing was just a conspiracy.
I informed him that the Americans that believe the moon landing conspiracy are all gun toting and crazy. I asked him if he had plans to move to America and join the crazies. He declined to answer and said nothing more.