Conspiracy Theories versus The Simplest Solutions
Applying Ockham’s Razor to life simplifies a great many things.
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To say that we live in interesting times is something of an understatement. If only it were that simple.
Just in the United States alone, we are dealing with one of the most ludicrous and uncaring Presidential administrations ever. Following ongoing surreal examples of systemic racism and police brutality, the Black Lives Matter movement again has picked up steam and there are protests ongoing. (I hope they make some necessary changes happen!) And COVID-19 continues to spread largely unchecked because of any number of foolish and frankly unbelievable reasons.
Some people buy into a couple of conspiracy theories involving all of the above situations. For example, some people are convinced that Trump is actually doing a good job and that the press, scientists, liberals, academics, economists, and just about everyone else on the planet are trying to discredit him.
Another example — some people think Black Lives Matter is a movement out to destroy the fabric of our society. These protests are intended to spur some sort of uprising, destroy police forces, and begin serious anarchy that will destroy the fabric of the nation.
Finally, the pandemic. Some people believe it’s a lie fabricated by the press and Democrats to discredit Trump and the GOP. The virus, they think, is no worse then the flu and everyone is overreacting and being overly dramatic. Mask wearing is the first step in fascism and social control, as are stay-at-home orders.
None of the above are based in reality. Thanks to the hearsay of the internet, privilege, and entitlement, among other issues, people all-too-often ignore or forgo reason.
Yet the simplest solution is usually right.
What is Ockham’s Razor?
I wish more people were familiar with this term. What is it?
Occam’s (or Ockham’s) razor is a principle attributed to the 14th-century logician and Franciscan friar William of Ockham. Ockham was the village in the English county of Surrey where he was born.
The principle states that “Entities should not be…
