Paranoia, Conspiracy Theories and Truth
Reality can be deceiving. And dubious.
Matthew Galgani
Conspiracy theories have a lot in common with paranoia.
Just because you’re paranoid, it doesn’t mean they’re not coming after you. And just because something gets labeled a conspiracy theory doesn’t mean it’s not true.
Then again, maybe you are paranoid. And maybe that wild, seemingly unbelievable conspiracy theory actually is bogus.
What are seen as "facts" often depends on what filters are applied.
"The coronavirus came from a lab." "President Trump is a Russian asset." "The media can be trusted to always tell the full, unbiased truth."
Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so, too, “the truth” is often nothing more than “my truth.”
Convinced, Conquered or Persuaded?
Consider the Latin verb convincere. It means to conquer, to defeat, to overcome decisively.
Compare that to the Latin word persuadēre, which means to convince thoroughly or to advise.
During the pandemic, which was more common: an objective exploration of the facts in order to persuade, or an equally vigorous attempt to conquer dissension and squash debate?
Then take a look at the origins of the word “truth.”
Said to be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root “deru,” it originally meant “firm” or “solid.” Since trees are solid and rooted in the earth, “deru” also gave us the word “tree.”
So today’s word “truth” derives from firm, solid, steadfast. A less admirable synonym might be “stubborn,” which traces its own roots to essentially mean an immovable, old tree stump.
Does Truth Conquer Doubt and Delusion?
This little etymological exploration ties into the theme of my upcoming novel, Doubting Nikki — A Tale of Faith and Delusion.
A string of implausible medical “miracles” creates a media circus involving a Hollywood producer and two controversial religious figures, a maelstrom that eventually gets Nikki’s husband killed. Or so it would seem.
It also has Nikki spiraling down a rabbit hole of conspiracy theories. Now questioning everything — even life and death — Nikki desperately searches for any truth or comforting delusion she can live with, any lifeline she can grab onto to pull herself back to the shores of reality.
Thankfully, that is a more extreme scenario than most of us will experience. But the last few years provide plenty of real-world examples that call into question the concepts of reality, truth, facts and fiction.
And today’s AI- and algo-fueled world of disinformation and misinformation makes the stream we all swim in “clear as mud.”
So, like with Nikki, perhaps the best we can do is keep our heads above water and try not to blindly swallow whatever floats downstream.
Related: Certainly, That's Delusional