Shadowland

A new documentary series on conspiracy thinking infecting the US. It is based on numerous reports on the topic by Atlantic magazine. We see it everywhere now, from pandemic paranoia to the Big Lie. It fueled the Jan. 6 insurrection and is leading to the destruction of democracy in favor of fascism.

I've just seen the first episode so far. It interviews over time some of those who have gone down these rabbit holes. These are good people whose lives have been threatened by the pandemic, a declining economy, burdensome government regulations or other factors. When we feel lost and depressed we need to find some meaning to explain our plight. Hence we find some comfort in conspiracies.

I found it interesting that there is some basis of truth to much of these conspiracies. For example, it it true that corporations and the rich control government for power and profit. It is the basis of progressive politics that can be proven with evidence. And yet it takes a dark, paranoid turn in the hands of conspiracy theorists. 

There is a very fine line here that affects us all. This series helps us to understand the phenomenon, have compassion for those who have fallen prey to it, and hopefully somehow constructively deal with it.