Conspire to Greatness

A conspiracy theory is an explanation of an event or situation that invokes an unwarranted conspiracy, generally one involving an illegal or harmful act carried out by government or other powerful actors.  Conspiracy theories often produce hypotheses that contradict the prevailing understanding of history or simple facts.  The term is often a derogatory one.

According to the political scientist Michael Barkun, conspiracy theories rely on the view that the universe is governed by design, and embody three principles: nothing happens by accident, nothing is as it seems, and everything is connected.  Another common feature is that conspiracy theories evolve to incorporate whatever evidence exists against them, so that they become, as Barkun writes, a closed system that is unfalsifiable, and therefore "a matter of faith rather than proof".  Skeptics are among their outspoken critics.

-- Wikipedia, "Conspiracy theory"

For all of you who might think "unfalsifiable" isn't a word, it basically means something is untestable.  God, for instance, is untestable, though my faith tells me I wouldn't want to.   Conspiracy is all around us.  It is, for most attempts and purposes, an attempt to control.  Such control can be in the realm of information, actions, finances, or beliefs. Conspiracies can be good or bad, but if they're good why would one have to conspire?  Well, what if one felt they had to conspire with others to overthrow some evil being perpetrated upon their fellow beings by a more powerful controlling body, like a government, school, or religion?  Wouldn't this be viewed as conspiring to do something great?

I don't consider myself a critical thinker, I just have faith.  I have faith in the theory that nothing is as it seems, especially when people are involved, and especially when it concerns their money and/or control.  I also have faith in the inability of humankind to simply do the right thing.  Our actions always seem to be driven by ego, greed, and control, but rarely by pure altruism.  Think of someone you know who gives thousands of dollars to charity and doesn't claim the donations on their taxes.  People volunteer to assist others because, deep down, they feel they also might need help at some future time.  The "faithful" help others with the expectation of a reward in heaven, an expectation of salvation.  As a person of faith, I have to ask if this is really so wrong?  

If any civilization is to survive, it is the morality of altruism that men have to reject.

-- Ayn Rand (1905-1982), novelist, philosopher

Rarely is anything given without some expectation of return.  It seems to be a sad and inescapable reality of human nature.  But, is it really that sad?   Well, if you give a man a fish, why should the man learn to fish? If we simply dole out charity without any expectation to better the situation of those in need, so they are able to do for themselves and be productive members of society, aren't they doomed to wander on the path of perpetual charity? To do any less than expect the best from everyone, especially from those in need, would be stripping them of any chance at self-respect.

Someone correctly stated, in my humble opinion, "When we learn to think about others first we bring peace, hope, and love to the world. And that can only happen when we learn to put our egos away and connect correctly with each other. This is also known as 'mutual responsibility.'" This idea of "mutual responsibility," to me, is a great way to aspire to greatness. It mitigates the destructive socialist philosophy of redistributing wealth to those who bring nothing to the table when they are certainly capable of doing so. Perpetual welfare should be for the physically and mentally disabled who have no other recourse than to be wards of the system.

Socialism states that you owe me something simply because I exist. Capitalism, by contrast, results in a sort of reality-forced altruism: I may not want to help you, I may dislike you, but if I don't give you a product or service you want, I will starve. Voluntary exchange is more moral than forced redistribution.

-- Ben Shapiro, writer, lawyer, political commentator 

Socialism only works until other people's money runs out. There is certainly something inherently wrong with an expectation of charity which is used as an excuse for some to selfishly do nothing to contribute to the betterment of humanity; pretty soon no one will be doing anything. The idea of mutual responsibility rejects, to some extent, any false "morality of altruism." Mutual responsibility allows one to be altruistic, but the responsibility lies with those receiving the altruism to give back in kind, to pay it forward, and this cannot be done if there is no desire on their part to do so. Therefore it would seem incumbent upon each of us to be mutually responsible for each other by teaching each other to fish and not abusing the charity of strangers.

We must ask ourselves what conspiracy we help to perpetuate on our fellows.  Do we conspire to keep them down, or do we conspire to greatness?  Perhaps we would all be better served to consider the harm our sense of charitable morality does when there is no expectation of those in need to better their lot when they receive it.  How does this, in any way, help them to aspire to be more than what they are?  If we are only holding them back by our actions, can't this be construed as abusing them?  And, by extension, if we're abusing our fellow man through our lack of expectation, are we not also complicit in the downfall of our civilization?

“Every game is winnable if you change your mind about what the prize should be and your perspective about the players at the table.”

-- Shannon L. Alder, author

The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness."  This idea is true for both sides of the discussion.  Every man, rich and poor, must decide whether they will be creatively altruistic or selfish.  In mutual responsibility, there is little room for selfishness.  One can only take so much before there is nothing left to give, and if everyone is riding in the wagon, then who is pulling it?  Yet, we mustn't be simply altruistic, we must be creatively so.  Look beyond the altruism to what it provides in the long-term; how beneficial it is to the individual and society as a whole.

Helping each other is a moral prerogative which each of us should hold dear and temper with ensuring that it truly helps and is not a Band-Aid for something destructive to the individual and society.  None of us is perfect, but in our zeal to do something we feel is right, it might be prudent to ensure we get the most bang for our buck or we might find ourselves pouring our charity into a bottomless bit of selfish need created by those who feel they owe nothing for their gift of life.

We need to look beyond our own interests when we give.  We need to see past the interests of those in need, as well. We need to consider how what we do will best benefit our society, and inspire those in need to rise above their situation.  The human condition does not respond positively when we think the long-term fix is to keep throwing money at a problem, it is feeding an addiction rather than curing it.

"Good character consists of recognizing the selfishness that inheres in each of us and trying to balance it against the altruism to which we should all aspire. It is a difficult balance to strike, but no definition of goodness can be complete without it."

-- Alan Dershowitz, lawyer, academic, civil libertarian

Conspiracy is all around us. Many of us are in denial and others are content to selfishly feed the selfish societal addictions which will, as history shows, result in the collapse of good social order and, ultimately, civilization itself.  We need to recognize our complicity in any conspiracy which prevents our brothers and sisters from becoming more than they are.  Welfare should be a short-term fix while working out the more beneficial long-term goal of helping those in need become constructive members of the society in which they may not, yet, see themselves as a vital part.

I have a theory.  Instead of conspiring to control, how about we conspire to be great?  How about we stop the infighting and backbiting and simply conspire to get along with each other?  We can try leaving our egotistical, selfish, greedy, controlling bullshit at the door and try helping each other, and then paying that help forward.  Nothing is as it seems, but this theory is testable, and if I'm right no one will care because we'll all be so much better off when we're not constantly berating each other or trying to rip each other's throat out.  

But, then, it's just a theory.

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.