The latest says there might be life on another planet. Elon wants to go to Mars. He is also trying to get as many women pregnant as possible so he can further his super race. We have shitcanned most of our most valued friends in a search for equity in the marketplace. Threats have replaced gentle cajoling and diplomacy. Into this morass, I humbly try to figure out what is happening. 

I happened upon a comment on Facebook that mentioned Joe Biden. I was truly shocked by the number of comments as well as their vitriol. You don’t have to like the guy but Geez Louise doesn’t anyone get tired of piling on? Ditto the “Comments” section in articles in the WSJ and NYT. Does it just make you feel better?

As part of this, I have been researching conspiracy theories. Believers consider their fortune or ills to be part of some grand scheme. Someone is out to get them for better or worse. This actually is a result of trying to make sense of some cataclysmic event. It could be 9/11, Covid or maybe an election that didn’t go your way. 

In an article from Live Science there is stated: ”To achieve popularity and longevity, a conspiracy theory requires some unique ingredients coming together. The event or overarching issue needs to be significant, the conspirators need to be realistic (i.e., a tightly formed group), and the ground needs to be fertile.”

Planes flying into buildings are not normal. The fact that skyscrapers topple within a few hours is unfathomable. Throw in a little xenophobia about Middle Eastern people, and presto you have a conspiracy. The internet has become the equal opportunity employer for all whack jobs. America’s distaste for government and institutions is the final ingredient to bring things to a steady boil. 

We all have a little bit of paranoia built into us. The golf gods screwed me on that putt. I coulda been a contender if things had gone a little differently. The world is against me. I did not fail. It is the rest of you. But when does it go off the rails? When does it become a part of our psyche. We lack the ability to look ourselves in the eye and say this is BS. 

I try to look at things from several angles. The biggest problem I have today is defining what is real and what is not. FOX, CNN and MSNBC are not going to give you the full story, no matter how plausible they may seem. We all struggle to figure things out when things are amok. How far we go is another story. I am not saying this is easy or I am even successful in my wanderings. Many of you might think I am confusing. You are right, I am.  And that’s why there are no easy answers. 

This whole tariff thing is nuts to me in some ways but not others. We can’t just blanket the world. If you buy a diamond in the US from Botswana there is a large tariff. Why? Because we have a big trade deficit there. How the hell are Botswanians going to buy stuff produced in the US? They make a few bucks a day. TTG, you don’t understand, they have been ripping us off for decades. But wait,we don’t make diamonds here!

Ok, I am cherry picking and there are large discrepancies throughout the world economy. I understand completely balance of payments especially with China on just about everything and Europe on a lot of things. But can anyone give me a concise plan? Better yet can I have any faith in what they are doing? I am thoroughly confused. Where can I get a coherent story?

This is a not a total diatribe about the Trumpster and friends. We have halted illegal immigration for the most part. We have called attention to a bunch of festering boils that really need to be pricked. Who knew we were giving so much aid to universities, but do we cancel cancer research at Brigham Women’s because they are a part of Harvard? We have a highly efficient supply chain that operates between the US, Canada and Mexico. Let’s blow it up because of lumber and avocados. 

Go back to the elements of conspiracy. An issue,an organization and fertile ground. The issue is simple. The world has gotten a whole lot better for the few and for the lower rungs it is unbearable.

The middle is treading water. Food,housing and medicine are pricing out large numbers. Our perceived indifference to immigration grates on people. A lot of our fellow Amercians want to divorce from any responsibilty for the rest of tthe world. The issue is populism and isolationism. 

The organization is formidable. Project 2025 is the blueprint though disavowed by His Hairness. It speaks to control every lever of government and browbeat people into submission. If you do not swear complete allegiance, you are outta here. Habeas corpus and the law are irrelevant. We will figure some way out of this. Our legislature is absent save an imprimatur or two or a hearing that goes nowhere. If I see Chuck Schumer one more time with his cheaters hanging from a neck cord and reading from script, I am going to throw up. There is no one to speak out. 

Lastly, the ground is fertile. No matter what is said, it is fake news. Shut off all avenues of opposition. The universities are in disarray. Use inflated numbers and vague pronouncements.

No one cares. Science and innovation are suspect and money eaters. Let the good times roll. 

Is this the makings of a real conspiracy? That is heavy duty and I am not taking that step but I am worried. Is it something we will look back on and say how the hell did we let this happen. There are lofty goals and great outcomes that could happen. There are also disasters around the bend. Can we really sit back and wait to see how it plays out? Dunno, but it is giving me great pause.

As always 

Ted The Great 

Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all. 

Factoids:

Authoritarianism is a political system characterized by the rejection of political plurality, the use of strong central power to preserve the political status quo, and reductions in democracy, separation of powers, civil liberties, and the rule of law. Hmmm!

Good examples of such states today are: China,Russia, Hungary under Viktor Orban, and Turkey under Tayyip Erdoğan. 

Current Conspiracy Theories:

JFK Assasination.. will be analyzed after new material has been released. 

9/11 was an inside job with explosive devices already placed in the Twin Towers. 

NASA faked the moon landings.

Airplane contrails are believed to be “Chemtrails” carrying all sorts of bad things to poison us. 

The idea that the U.S. government (or perhaps the entire world government) is run by reptilian humanoids. This actually could be true Ha!