They

 

Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden was killed a few days ago by Navy SEALs. It is not a matter of dispute. The government of Pakistan has faulted our government for our action in their country, and al-Qaeda has said it will fight on despite the death of its leader.ⁱ Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas administration in the Gaza Strip, told reporters that the group regards bin Laden's death “as a continuation of the American policy based on oppression and the shedding of Muslim and Arab blood.” In a bid to minimize Muslim reaction, and in line with Muslim traditions, bin Laden was buried hours after his death. The burial took place at sea in order to remove the possibility of a terrestrial monument that would be the focus for the congregation of angry militants, and the site of inspiration of further terrorism.

Regrettably there are some who call for the release of photographs of the dead bin Laden. They suggest that he is not dead and that what has happened is another plot to placate those who have called for his end, and a ploy to dispirit his supporters. It is all a conspiracy, and it must be proved with photographs demonstrating that he is dead.

Of course photographs, even if they are demanded now, won't be satisfactory. If produced there will be accusations of doctoring.ⁱⁱ Conspiracy theorists didn't accept photographic and video proof of the moon landing so it's difficult to understand why any documentation offered now would be convincing for them. It will only be viewed as another part of the conspiracy.

Conspiracy theories have always existed, but in recent years they are multiplying.ⁱⁱⁱ The flying saucer that crashed at Roswell was hushed up, the “Elders of Zion” are planning on taking over the world, President Kennedy was assassinated by the CIA (or Mafia or Russians – your choice), the moon landing was faked, the United States or Israel was responsible for the attack on the World Trade Center, the medical profession is hiding the cures to many diseases from us, gasoline prices are raised or lowered to help favored political parties win elections: you've heard these and many more. Like the murder of Princess Di by British intelligence and the cover-up of the fact that Jesus survived the crucifixion. And we all know that Elvis is still alive (as are Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster). Those who create and foster these myths are legion, even if their ideas are illegitimate.

It's difficult to find a single cause for these theories, but some possibilities come to mind. One is the recent emphasis on the warning against trusting authority.^iv More and more people are inclined to doubt everything they hear from anyone with power,^v and eager to believe anything told them about the involvement of some individuals or groups in every controversial subject. For them, every explanation is a cover-up of the involvement of some group, “them,” in that incident. There are evil forces who are imposing their will on the powerless.^vi We have to stick it to them. It's paranoia. So no demonstration of its fallaciousness will be believed. The same evil forces are trying to misdirect those who, like us, seek the truth.

That reality should be obvious to everyone. In fact, everything that deviates from what you want is caused by someone else. You're not responsible for anything. It is always someone else's fault.^vii And, of course, you should sue that person.^viii There is always someone to blame – someone^ix who should be held accountable. And often that “someone” is a corporation or other large organization – like the government, a drug company or an insurance company – that is working to hide some important information to the detriment of everyone else. They are conspiring against all us “little people.”^x And the lawyer so eager to help you isn't looking for any payment unless he can get some money from the conspirator. So why not. It's worth a try. If he's so sure that you have been injured by a conspiracy you should be sure as well.^xi And it's time to pay back the corrupt society in which we live.

What results is a society that always believes the worst, one that trusts no one – especially its own leaders. And mythology sells. It's a sure path to your fifteen minutes. Sadly, there is no solution to the problem. Paranoids will not bury their fears; irrational people will not bow to logic. I'm from Missouri and they haven't proved anything to me. So all we can do is not to take them too seriously. The problem is theirs and we cannot let it become ours.

Next episode: “Sex And The Single Cell” – Plus ça change, plus ça change.

i     A statement from the group included the following: “We will remain … a curse chasing the Americans and their agents, following them outside and inside their countries … their happiness will be turned to sadness … their blood will be mingled with their tears.”

ii    Anyone with a computer can “fix” a photograph. And, of course, anyone with a computer can publicize his theory about how we are all being manipulated.

iii   They're quite common in the United States. I don't know about their frequency in other countries. The Wall Street Journal, though, reports that UFO sightings are becoming more frequent in Asia.

iv    Ideas of this type have always existed but they seem to be more frequent now than in the past.

v    Including their parents and teachers. No. Especially their parents and teachers.

vi    It's them versus us. We may not know who “they” are (that's part of their plan) but we must always be on guard for them. They're out to get us. Whoever they are.

vii   You're good. You could never do anything wrong. It must be someone else. Your mother told you that. It's one of the few things she said that you can believe, even if she didn't believe it. After all, if you did something wrong it would reflect on her.

viii  Your lawyer told you that. He agrees with your mother. How can they both be wrong?

ix    Ideally someone with a lot of money.

x    No one ever raises the issue of the conspiracy of the class action law suit designed to make as much for everyone as possible, irrespective of any loss we may have suffered. We only see greediness and venality in others. They conspire. We exercise our legal rights.

xi   Would your lawyer lie to you?