Conspiracy symbols succeed by combining concrete specificity with vagueness

Evidence

Conspiracists fi nd themselves in much the same dilemma as the apocalyptic authors. The logic of their narrative carries them to the edge of despair even as they yearn for a millennial outcome. Their problem is exacerbated by the fact that they often become so intent on elaborating descriptions of the conspiracy that they end up with an adversary who cannot be defeated. — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 1070 (#expands, via linked claim)

All possibilities for increase go back to what is basic in the distinction between code and process – the generalization of symbols. What is meant by generalization is a generalizing of meaningful orientations, which makes it possible for an identical meaning to be adhered to when different partners face one another in different situations, so that the same, or similar, conclusions are drawn. Reducing the relative significance of the immediate situation diminishes the burden of obtaining and evaluating information in individual cases and removes the need for a complete reorientation in shifting from one case to another. At the same time, in this manner it absorbs uncertainty. It becomes possible to form complementary expectations, and conduct on the basis of expectations, but at the risk of an expectation-oriented, but not quite situation-adequate behaviour which does not exploit the possibilities that the concrete situation may offer (for instance not exploiting a momentary weakness in the power-holder) and misses opportunities for learning. — Niklas Luhmann, Trust and Power, 637 (#complicates, via linked claim)

The Deep State and Russiagate shared one other important characteristic. They both speedily took on the nature of something of great benefit to conspiracy sellers: formless, vast, amorphous modes of suspicion. They cast shadows that could grow to encompass any event, any discovery, or shrink to reveal a sunny, bright nothing. Conspiracist politicians and pundits only profit from an environment in which nothing is certain, everything is clouded by suspicion, and no source of information can be trusted. — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 964 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The ‘everything is connected’ principle turns ordinary business links into conspiracy architecture — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic…, 842; Over-elaborating a conspiracy produces an undefeatable adversary — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic…, 1070; Obscure symbolic threats minimize exposure while maximizing terror (+6 more)

Related

• Vague conspiracy theories benefit sellers more than specific testable ones. (similarity 0.84)
• Over-elaborating a conspiracy produces an undefeatable adversary (similarity 0.82)
• Conspiracy theories become unfalsifiable by dismissing skeptic evidence as planted (similarity 0.81)
• Conspiracy claims gain credibility by mixing precise detail with untestable vagueness (similarity 0.81)
• The ‘everything is connected’ principle turns ordinary business links into conspiracy architecture (similarity 0.78)
• The more sweeping a conspiracy theory’s claims, the less relevant evidence becomes. (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• Over-elaborating a conspiracy produces an undefeatable adversary #expands (0.85) — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 1070
• Generalized symbols absorb uncertainty but at the cost of situation-inadequate conduct #complicates (0.85) — Niklas Luhmann, Trust and Power, 637
• Vague conspiracy theories benefit sellers more than specific testable ones. #corroborates (0.85) — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 964
• Obscure symbolic threats minimize exposure while maximizing terror #qualifies (0.75)