Some Conspiracy Theory Links...

These are links explaining how to construct a good conspiracy. Anyone who finds themselves believing the bevvy of conspiracy theories swirling around out there today really ought to read through a few of these.

First there is the word

Pareidolia

http://www.skepdic.com/pareidol.html

Here is a really good article that goes into detail about the various elements that conspiracy theory authors will use to convince an audience of their story:

http://warp.povusers.org/grrr/conspiracytheories.html

Here is a great, concise article on how not to be suckered by the people pushing conspiracy theories:

http://warp.povusers.org/grrr/tools_against_conspiracy_theories.html

You know I'm really getting tired of trying to debunk bad logic. So many conspiracies are based on a negative assumption. I can't prove a negative. I can't prove to you that Bill Gates is not trying to euthanize the world with vaccines. I can tell you with 99.999999% certainty that he is not, but there is always that minute possibility that he is in fact an evil serial killer and so good at it that no one is catching him.

I can't prove to you that the government is not rounding people up ad hoc and forcibly vaccinating them. Sure there is absolutely zero fact-based evidence to prove this is happening, but that doesn't mean the government isn't doing it, and they are just so good at covering it up that no one has found out.

Staggering. It is amazing to me what people will choose to believe. I shake my head...

What’s with the Fear?

An Examination of the Motives behind Fear Mongering

I’ve been tripping out lately on all the fear-mongering and paranoia that has been percolating up on the internet and elsewhere. It’s easy enough to disprove a lot of the whacked out nonsense you hear, but ultimately it had me asking the question: Why?

Why are there people out there who are hell-bent on spreading fear and generating an climate of distrust and paranoia? Well I think some people probably do it just for kicks, for the ego stroke, for the challenge of writing a story that becomes accepted by a segment of the population. I’m a writer of fiction myself. I’ve made false documentaries; I’ve published phony news stories. My work is generally tongue in cheek and, even if the falsities are not detected, more of a goof than a nefarious tool of chaos. But still, I can understand the mentality of the creator of fiction who gets their rocks off by spreading falsehoods. It’s fun and satisfying to write a piece that is constructed well enough to be believable.

But there is a more pragmatic motive behind some of the misleading information out there: loyalty. If you monger in fear, and paint yourself as the shining ray of truth in a sea of lies, and if you do it well enough, you will eventually attract an audience of people who trust you, and only you.

This loyalty can be used for a variety of different ends. If you are the host of a radio program that purports to tell its audience the truth behind conspiracies and weird phenomenon, that loyalty manifests itself into an audience that boosts your ratings, and allows you to sell advertising to your sponsors.

If you are a self-proclaimed health guru who exposes to your audience the schemes and cynicism behind modern health care, you can use the loyalty of your audience to sell health supplements and books.

If you are a government, you can use fear of insidious enemies lurking in the shadows to foster loyalty to a police state, all in the name of “security.”

The problem with loyalty is that it comes at the expense of freedom. You trade your free will when you pledge your allegiance to a figure or cause. You lost your rights when you give into fear. Not just your government guaranteed rights, but your ingrained human rights – your right to be in harmony, to be at peace, to be happy. Fear destroys those rights.

The truth will set you free – because the truth is the truth. It is not disputable, it only is. Seek the truth and you need pledge no other fealty.

madbob@madbob.com

Is Bill Gates Aspiring to be the Greatest Mass Murderer In History?

Misconceptions and Paranoia in a Culture of Fear and Doom

I have been hearing a variety of vicious and insidious rumors of late regarding vaccinations. Three recent conspiracies have been proposed to me for consideration.

The first is the idea that Bill Gates is using vaccinations around the world as some sort of plot to either sterilize, or exterminate, 10 to 15% of the world’s population.

The second is that vaccinations are being used to intentionally spread cancer, and were used to introduce AIDS to the population.

And the third is that citizens of Maryland are having their children rounded up and forced into sort of vaccination detention camps, complete with armed guards and “attack dogs” to ensure that the populations receives their shots.

I am pretty well convinced that all three of these theories are completely bogus, and are being peddled by the fear mongers who are bent on fostering an atmosphere of paranoia and chaos. I will take them one at a time:

Is Bill Gates a Mass Murderer?

This one makes me shake my head. The fuel for the fire is a quote, clearly taken intentionally out of context, from Bill Gates regarding the effectiveness of vaccinations in helping to curb population growth. Here’s the quote:

“If we do a really great job on new vaccines, health care, reproductive health services, we could lower that by perhaps 10 or 15 per cent.”

People have interpreted this phrase to mean that Bill Gates is either actively sterilizing, or actively euthanizing, poor people around the world.

Here’s another idea. Preventing childhood diseases lowers infant and child mortality. Reducing child mortality means families don’t have to have a dozen children in order to ensure that three of them make it to adult-hood. The downward pressure to procreate reduces population. Do you really think people in poor countries really want to have large families with extra mouths to feed?

Do Vaccinations Cause Cancer and AIDS?

The only “proof” I saw of this claim came in the form of a dubious article from an “alternative news” site, and a hackneyed YouTube video. The reason I even clicked on the video link is because the article said there was proof of vaccinations causing AIDS in the form of a vaccine scientist actually admitting as much “on camera.” The video was typical paranoid drivel – a series of still photos with the ominous underlying music: gruesome photos of dead bodies and mayhem. The doctor “speaking on camera” was voice only, and a scratchy recording at that, running underneath the still photos. At that point, any credibility the article might have had was already dashed – but don’t let the facts stand in the way of a good rant.

Are Unvaccinated Children in Maryland being Herded into Detention Camps?

God, enough with the detention camps already. I don’t know who started this stuff, but give them credit, they sparked a real wildfire in the fringe communities on the far left and the far right.

In this twist on the story, unvaccinated children are literally being herded into camps staffed by armed soldiers and “attack dogs,” where they are then forcibly inoculated.

As with any good conspiracy story, there is a germ of truth to this one. A sheriff in one county of Maryland did indeed issue subpoenas targeting the parents of unvaccinated children. These parents are meant to have their children vaccinated within a certain time frame, under threat of a fine, or possible jail time.

First, it isn’t state wide. Second, I’m pretty sure it’s not legal, and that under legitimate legal challenge, these subpoenas will likely be dropped. Still, makes for some good fear mongering.

My Thoughts on Vaccinations

Look, I think there is plenty of room to question current vaccination policy. I think we likely over-vaccinate. My understanding is that some of the vaccines administered routinely are for diseases that rarely manifest. I think it is important that we critically examine the connection between vaccine administration and “Big Pharma.” Do I think vaccines can cause autism? Maybe. It seems to me that most studies say no, some studies say possibly. Intuition tells me that giving an infant or a child 40+ doses of vaccine at once could have harmful side effects. So the amount we vaccinate, and how we apply those vaccines, is ripe area for debate.

But do I think vaccinations are an insidious form of population control, that spread cancer, sterilize people, kill people, cause AIDS? No, I think that’s ludicrous. Vaccines have staved off incredibly destructive childhood diseases: Polio, mumps, measles, rickets, and more. Why would you target those diseases for eradication, only to replace them with cancer or AIDS? It makes no sense.

That’s the thing with all of these conspiracy theories; they  start with a theory in mind, then use circular logic, twisted logic paths, innuendo and conjecture to bolster that theory. It’s bad logic, junk science – it preys on the innate desire of the human mind to make connections. The conspiracy theorists peddle fear and confusion; they seek to make chaos out of order. They seek to spread fear and loathing through the population.

madbob@madbob.com

The Girl with the Drake Tattoo

Makes as much sense an anything else this year

Well damn – only a couple more of these to go and we are done with the year 2011. Onto twenty twelve – is your bunker well stocked and secure? I'm serious, mine is woefully inadequate at the moment, so I am looking for more prepared souls whom I can latch onto When the Shit Hits the Fan (hereafter referred to as WTSHTF, in case I may need to use it later on in this piece). Ah but that's alright, come what may, makes not a bit of difference. Right now I've got a fire going, two lazy dogs trading places beneath my feet, a good looking woman reading a novel on the couch, and a one-third full mug of stiff eggnog; and plenty more where that came from. Live in the moment, and this moment is pretty damn good.

A Bit of Politics

“Seeming to do is not doing.”

-Thomas A. Edison

I can't resist – the longer this Republican race goes on, the less able I am to avert my eyes. It reminds me of Charlie and the Chocolate factory, with all of the candidates riding along and being ejected, one by one, in these increasingly horrifying scenarios. Okay, well, really only Herman Cain has ejected in a truly dramatic fashion thus far – but there are so damned many of them! The potential is there! And then  that humanoid bobble-head “The Donald” comes jamming himself into the picture every so often, making preposterous statements, causing a ruckus, and then disappearing back behind the curtain; probably feeling like some kind of discombobulated Machiavelli. He's amazing though in that he doesn't actually do anything. Then, of course, there is the specter of Sarah Palin lurking back there somewhere. They really ought to just declare the “fuck it” ticket and run a Trump/Palin or vice-versa package. They could pay down the debt by broadcasting a reality television show from the White House – primo advertising; get some Kardashian style money that way. Didn't I mention something about WTSHTF earlier? In the immortal words of George W. Bush: “BRING IT ON!”

Curses and Passion

Oh fuck me. This is not the direction I'd intended to go with this column. But I didn't plan a direction when I started, and so now the energy is just going where it's going. That's what happens when you send energy off unfocused, undirected, leaderless. Passion makes for a great seduction, and passion can lead to a vicious and bloody killing spree. I used to really make a point of not using too much foul language in these columns, but at this point, what's the difference? I mean, some cracked out chick got DRAKE tattooed across her forehead, and some tattoo “artist” was willing to take her money to do that – so what genuine panic is an f-bomb here, or the s-word there, going to create?

There is nothing shocking anymore; not when there is death and mayhem, blood and putrefaction running on the nightly news. The year 2012 is almost upon us and we still haven't figured out how to solve our differences without tearing one another limb from limb. So Merry Fucking Christmas.

Here's an oldie of the author, post holiday panic

madbob@madbob.com

Ho Ho Horror...

Why is there Never a Decent Panic Room Nearby When you Need One?

Okay, okay, let's see. My mind is a spinning whir of mud and mash right now. Between the insane political and economic phase we are in, and the manic holiday climate, it is wine wine wine for me. I hate this time of year - I really do. The holidays freak me out. I mean, I'm limping through the year, barely making the bills, the weather turns cold, I'm drinking more, trying to stay warm, getting desperate for some reprieve. I find myself wandering through the aisles at the 99 cent store looking for anything that will substitute for comfort food, and then the goddamn Christmas music starts playing – so fucking happy, joyous, maniacal. Bells, and choirs, and BELLS. I'm staggering and lurching, knocking over the damned Tupperware and wrapping paper in a panicked frenzy trying to get the HELL OUT OF THERE!!!

Deep breaths - I feel it coming on. I should be listening to calm, soothing music on the radio, but I can't turn away from the endless babble and chatter about the politics. Herman Cain, Herman Cain, Herman Cain. Jesus, the funniest thing I've heard in weeks was Herman Cain saying he was looking forward to “getting back on message.” Jesus. Europe is collapsing. Stock market down, stock market up. Jesus Christ.

OWS Blues

I feel like I'm on the outside looking in with this OWS stuff. I support the movement, for the free exchange of ideas it has generated, if nothing else. I get the general idea – people are fed up with a government that caters to special interests at the expense of the people. I've been upset about that for shit, as long as I've been politically aware. But the OWS movement also disturbs me. It seems like something of a Rorschach test in that it can mean anything to anyone. There are those who simply want to reform the current system of representative democracy, and those who want to abolish everything and start over. I can respect both of those points of view.

And then there are the doomsayers and conspiracy theorists who have latched onto the movement. They offer no solutions, no way forward, simply a myriad of demons and bogeyman that are enslaving us all in insidious, self-defeating webs of deceit and mysticism. These folks will make your head explode. I frankly don't get their way of thinking. If they are right, if we are all pawns in the game of some unseen caste of mystics who have been controlling events since the middle ages, then what the fuck is the point? I'm sure they've got it figured out; or else some tripper hero like Neo from the fucking Matrix will sort it out... or maybe we all are inanimate, living in pods, and being kept alive for feed? Again, what's the point?

I can't let myself believe that kind of stuff. I like solutions, I am a fan of action, and recourse. I like to feel like there is a way forward, a way up, a way out.

But on a serious note, how the hell am I going to get my Christmas shopping done this year?

madbob@madbob.com

Flickering Lights

The days are getting shorter. I'm cold right now. The sun went down about an hour ago and the fire is only beginning to cut through the bite of the encroaching cold air. I'm on the verge of shivers. My wife told me years back that this time of year, starting in around October, and running through, I don't know, about now I guess – it's the time when the worlds of the dead and of the living are in the closest proximity. Of course I could go and throw on a coat. The dogs are fine – they've got their fur wrapped around them. Right now they are prancing around the room and sniffing furiously; then sucking up any morsels of edible and semi-edible objects they discover. They lick at stains. I'm sure we feed them enough. They don't look too thin. I think we all burn more energy out here than we ever used to. The simple act of walking from one end of the property to the other provides exercise like I haven't really had in many, many years – I'm thinking decades.

There's horror on the evening news: footage of violence in Syria as people rise up against the government, folks shot through, bloodied bandages over a hollowed eye, crimson flowers blooming and expanding across polyester/cotton blend fabric shirts. A piece on cancer, the kill or be killed nature of that disease; vicious crimes against children, stories of unanswered pleas for salvation; and profiles of the current crop of political candidates, grinning, manicured ghouls.

God It's a Freak Show

Makes you shudder right down to the bones.

I've got a jacket on now – dogs and I went outside for a bit. We've been talking about post-traumatic stress disorder. It's that loop phenomenon the brain can get into when you've been heavily effected by something done, heard, seen; experienced. Maybe that's trivializing it, I don't think so. Our brains; we are meant to be happy, and harmonious. When things happen that knock us out of harmony, then it sends us off into waves, or loops. Like when you swing your arms for balance. Sometimes you have to keep on swinging.

Dancing around the Apple Tree...

Then this holiday season – it's like on top of everything else they want you to maneuver yourself through an obstacle course of commitments. Battle the crowds, get the gifts together, get them out – the final sputtering, fits and spasms of the year's cycle of consumer capitalism – the chaotic, orgasmic ending – just the post-coital eruption of champagne and high-spirited inebriation of the New Year events left to go.

And then we'll do it all again. One way or the other. We move in circles, not lines. We spin and spin together through this universe (universes? multi-verses?). One big swirling mass – infinite parts and pieces – everything larger, everything smaller, forever and ever.

All we have to do is be. And the good news is, we can't not be. So congratulations! You've done it.

madbob@madbob.com

Who Needs OWS? We've Got Papandreou...

(Originally published November 2, 2011)

This year’s final harvest is over. Trish and I spent some time over the weekend tearing out old, spent plants and vines, and gathering what tangible fruit that was left: tomatoes, squash (zucchini, acorn, and blue), an assortment of beans, and a pumpkin. I suppose the pumpkin is technically a squash as well, but this time of year they feel like they ought to have their own category.

We also turned a little earth and planted winter vegetables: cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, chard, lettuce, garlic and onions. We’re surrounding the winter beds with a ring of diatomaceous earth; it is a fine, silicone powder used in pool filtration systems. Word is that snails and slugs will not crawl over the sharp powder. So far it seems to be working fine, but it’s too early to qualify that experiment as a raving success just yet.

There is more to plant, but I think we’re off to a good start.

Forget OWS, We’ve got Greece

The protesters are still occupying Wall Street, as well as venues across the country; including right here in the Chico downtown plaza. After this week though I’d say the protesters can wrap it up and go home – it looks like Greece is going to single-handedly bring the Wall Street banks to their knees. This is really an incredible story.

Greece has been teetering on the brink of economic collapse for years now, but because they are part of the European Union, there is a real vested interest in righting their listing ship. As a result, the countries in the European Union convened a summit and, amazing, arrived at, at least a framework, for a solution to Greek’s problems. It was a huge, complicated deal, and entailed major sacrifices from a number of countries and investors. It also required continued “austerity measures” on the part of the Greek government – meaning basically that the government can’t spend a dime. This has caused major civil unrest – but the feeling is that, while it is a bitter pill to swallow, the deal will eventually allow Greece to get out of debt and eventually prosper economically in a way the country never has before.

Enter Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou. After praising the overall framework for the deal, and applauding the generosity of other countries involved, Papandreou has made a political move described by experts as: “bizarre,” “schizophrenic,” and “mystifying.” The Prime Minister has decided to hold a public referendum on the overall bail-out package and, ultimately, whether or not Greece should remain in the European Union.  The announcement has completely scuttled all the hard work of those involved in structuring the bail-out package, and may end up costing Papandreou his job. The citizens of Greece will vote later this week on whether or not they continue to have confidence in their government. If the current government survives that confidence vote, then the aforementioned referendum on the bail-out will go forward. If the government does not survive the confidence vote, and judging from the Prime Minister’s latest maneuver, they may not, then new election s will have to be held.

Ah well, get used to it. The winds of change are howling.

Madbob@madbob.com

Information Overload leads to Abandoning the Matrix

It seems like eggnog came early this year. I suppose that is how they would do it – I mean the eggnog industry; they’ve got to be paying attention to this trend of pushing Christmas closer each year to the Fourth of July. I think for awhile I was sort of living under the assumption that there were many out there who are ‘not paying attention.’ I’m realizing now that everyone is paying attention – to something.

There is too much. I’ve made half-dozen false-starts on this column – the reason is too much information: too many scandals, crises, wars, elections, icons passing away, natural disasters, medical mysteries, and financial catastrophes. I don’t know where to start; and once you start in, there’s no natural point at which to stop.

So forget it – by the time you read this, everything will have changed anyway.

I just came back from the yard – the dogs and I walked down to the creek under the light of a bright moon. It isn’t full, but it is on its way up and nearly there. That white light of the moon lights up the whole area, so long as there isn’t interference from artificial lighting. It is cold but not unbearable.

I came back with seed pods attached to my stocking cap. There were two of them, oval-shaped , spiky burrs; reddish-brown. They look a lot like caterpillars and that is what Trish thought they were, at first.

“Bob, there’s something…” but before she could finish, I’d swatted my hat away and flung it towards the fireplace. I guess she was trying to say I should be careful, because of the creatures on my head; but I mistook her to mean there was something terrible climbing over my skull – some kind of treacherous venomous spider, or maybe a radioactive, blood-draining mosquito. I take no chances, not this time anyway.

No harm done, then we figured out what they were – burrs.

I lost track of the days today. I’m in the middle of a longer assignment at my job, and so the activities aren’t varying greatly from one day to the next. If I didn’t have a job to go to, I’d never know what day it was. I might be fine with that. Right now I’m thinking the lunar calendar probably makes more sense anyway. There is nothing physical that signifies the passing of a week – it’s completely arbitrary, just a year broken down into mathematically symmetrical components. Following the sun, or the moon, there you’ve got something very real and tangible to go by.

I’ve got a great big wool coat to wear. It belonged to my grandfather, his army coat from 1945; big leather wrapped buttons and a fine, smooth lining of some material, maybe thick silk – I don’t know. It is stiff and warm, though it’s starting to loosen up. No one wore it for a lot of years; it feels very good to wear it now.  This coat makes me look forward to the colder months of winter. I’m wearing that coat right now – sitting outside on the porch; looking at my breath and typing this out on a lap-top my mom gave me recently. Things are starting to look really good around here.

madbob@madbob.com