Pittsburgh Alpha to Omega

Declare the past, diagnose the present, foretell the future ; practise these acts. As to diseases, make a habit of two things–to help, or at least to do no harm.

Hippocrates, Epidemics I, Part XI, W.H.S. Jones trans.

“There’s no conspiracy.”

Jonathan Wilde in Ken MacLeod’s conspiracy-filled Fall Revolution series

Let us never tolerate outrageous conspiracy theories concerning the attacks of September the 11th – malicious lies that attempt to shift the blame away from the terrorists themselves, away from the guilty.

George W. Bush to UN General Assembly, 11-10-01

This can of worms has really made the rounds since Marc Estrin opened it (I caught it over at Cryptogon).  Basically, for the thoroughly modern malady of conspiracy theoryitis, OIRA’s Sunstein and co-author Vermeule prescribe… wait for it… conspiracy!

I have to admit, the dudes occasionally raise some interesting points.  For instance, I can recall (wonder how many of my fellow conspiracy geeks can say the same?) the transformative fury I felt upon learning of the Santa conspiracy.  I didn’t know to call it that at the time, but learning I’d been systematically lied to by my parents, and that such deception was no big deal to them, nor to any of the other adults with whom I raised the issue, led me to question  for the first time the religion in which I’d been raised – a path leading to the jovial cynicism I’ve enjoyed (with but the infrequent hiccup of outrage/indignation) for the past decade.  Thanks, Mom & Dad!

Not all false conspiracy theories are harmful; consider the false conspiracy theory, held by many of the younger members of our society, that a secret group of elves, working in a remote location under the leadership of the mysterious “Santa Claus,” make and distribute presents on Christmas Eve. This theory is false, but is itself instilled through a widespread conspiracy of the powerful – parents – who conceal their role in the whole affair. (Consider too the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy.) It is an open question whether most conspiracy theories are equally benign; we will suggest that some are not benign at all.

Sunstein & Vermeule, “Conspiracy Theories” 1-15-08, pg. 5

Cass and Adrian want you to know that they know that, like, not all conspiracy theories are wrong or harmful, just the wrong or harmful ones, going so far as to selectively quote Robert Anton Wilson on Holocaust denial leading to solipsism (pg. 7; I’m sure Wilson would’ve been honored) and going on about informational cascades and group polarization before dropping their delightful policy recommendations.

Here we suggest two concrete ideas for government officials attempting to fashion a response to such theories. First, responding to more rather than fewer conspiracy theories has a kind of synergy benefit: it reduces the legitimating effect of responding to any one of them, because it dilutes the contrast with unrebutted theories. Second, we suggest a distinctive tactic for breaking up the hard core of extremists who supply conspiracy theories: cognitive infiltration of extremist groups, whereby government agents or their allies (acting either virtually or in real space, and either openly or anonymously) will undermine the crippled epistemology of those who subscribe to such theories. They do so by planting doubts about the theories and stylized facts that circulate within such groups, thereby introducing beneficial cognitive diversity.

Sunstein & Vermeule, “Conspiracy Theories” 1-15-08, pg. 15

Not neurodiverstiy, yo, cognitive diversity. And stylized facts!

If you believe what you read on the internet, the Senate voted to confirm Sunstein’s nomination to the post of OIRA Administrator on 9-10-09; and, as of this writing, “CC: C and C” has been downloaded from SSRN’s site 9,119 times.

Coincidence?

Have fun and cuídate.