the Conspiratorial Ideology

    How many hold to a conspiratorial ideology? Hard to tell. For those that do hold to it, it is best to explain the meaning of my title and some of the mental furniture located in the minds of those persuaded that this is absolute reality. I will not speak of actual events that are conspiracies but rather the description of those who show plausible situations that are interpreted within a framework that has all of the agents working in tandem usually to promote control over those who are unwillingly captive to the machinations of powerful people. With the pieces explained, the whole will emerge.

    The first piece of the puzzle is the use of metaphor. I would like to begin with something innocuous so that we can approach the subject without any prejudices toward those who hold such views. Also the definition is elastic so we start with how these ideologues express themselves. I would propose that they use metaphor in a way that shows the imagery invoked is usually displayed as clearly shadowy. They are certain that of whatever aspect they bring up that it is a plain thing that could only be spoken of in figures since their ideology allows for certainty but not for their sources. 

    An example will be helpful here. Take the example of how politicians use religion to control their constituents. The imagery of a spider's web would be called the way that politicians use their influence over the victims who on accident fall into the trap of religion. But the web itself remains undefined since it is necessary for the metaphor to hold. Also it is left in suspense as to what the origins and mechanics are. The shadowy nature is assumed without explaining it in much further detail so as to leave the impression that the web is interestingly constructed by the powers that be.

    So the web is a component where the metaphor becomes a means to further the person who gives into conspiracies. The person who gives into conspiracies uses this method to show that the conspiracy has clear parts in place but the overall goal of control is left in the shadows. The shadowy control is assumed to be a gestalt that everyone is captive to but only the conspiratorialist and their followers are able to see through it. The web can be seen as an overall metaphor that they themselves don't necessarily use but it is useful in explaining their way of thinking about how society works.