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Why would an American president bow down to world leaders? Why is it easy for politicians to stoke hatred for rich, fat-cat CEOs? And why do so many nations around the world hate America, the world’s lone superpower? read more
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"I tend to think of conspiracy theories in much the same vein as the old line about paranoia: just because they are usually bunk doesn't mean that conspiracies are not going on. Sometimes I think off-the-wall conspiracy theories are promulgated by people who have a vested interest in debunking conspiracy theories as a self-defense measure. How's that for a conspiracy theory?" From Morgan On Facebook
Morgan, you bring up a great point, so I’m going to reveal to you a part of Underdogma that you brushed up against with your answer. Conspiracy theories satisfy a psychological need that is particularly acute in the American psyche. To quote from Underdogma:
In his book Empire of Conspiracy, Timothy Melley finds further evidence that a part of the American Character-tied to Underdogma’s “Axis of Power”-makes Americans more susceptible to conspiracy theories.
In his exploration of conspiracy theories, “Melley proposes that conspiracy thinking arises from a combination of two factors, when someone: 1) holds strong individualist values and 2) lacks a sense of control [aka power].” No one holds stronger individualist values than Americans, with a Dutch study finding that “[t]he United States ranks highest in individualism.” As Tony Robbins said in his interview for Underdogma, “Self-esteem comes, to a great extent, from feeling like you have power over events, versus events and/or people have power over you.”
Therefore, when something happens that causes strongly-individualistic Americans to feel a profound lack of control (power)-like the 9/11 attacks-all the necessary elements are in place for a descent into conspiracism.
To discuss this topic, visit the discussion board on Michael's Facebook page, or you can send him a tweet, by clicking here.
Morgan, you bring up a great point, so I’m going to reveal to you a part of Underdogma that you brushed up against with your answer. Conspiracy theories satisfy a psychological need that is particularly acute in the American psyche. To quote from Underdogma:
In his book Empire of Conspiracy, Timothy Melley finds further evidence that a part of the American Character-tied to Underdogma’s “Axis of Power”-makes Americans more susceptible to conspiracy theories.
In his exploration of conspiracy theories, “Melley proposes that conspiracy thinking arises from a combination of two factors, when someone: 1) holds strong individualist values and 2) lacks a sense of control [aka power].” No one holds stronger individualist values than Americans, with a Dutch study finding that “[t]he United States ranks highest in individualism.” As Tony Robbins said in his interview for Underdogma, “Self-esteem comes, to a great extent, from feeling like you have power over events, versus events and/or people have power over you.”
Therefore, when something happens that causes strongly-individualistic Americans to feel a profound lack of control (power)-like the 9/11 attacks-all the necessary elements are in place for a descent into conspiracism.
To discuss this topic, visit the discussion board on Michael's Facebook page, or you can send him a tweet, by clicking here.
