On the Character of Conspiracy

A Moral-Cognitive Theory of Power

How deep does the rabbit hole go?

This seems to be the seminal question of our time. That conspiracies exist is self-evident. In the immortal words of Col. Gathers, “By the time God crapped out the third caveman a conspiracy was launched against one of them!” It is part of man’s nature to form groups, to create exclusive collectives, and to organize plans for mutual benefit. While it might be comforting to believe otherwise, there is no fine line demarking this quotidian form of socializing from more ominous confederacies. Criminals and businesses alike require oaths of loyalty and non-disclosure, and both are capable of unethical acts. For the victim of said acts, it matters little whether they were performed within or without of the aegis of the law; no more than it matters to the soldier whether he dies during a police action or a declared war.

The term ‘Conspiracy Theory’ is nothing but a comforting bulwark designed to avoid important questions. Widely believed to have been seeded into the public consciousness by the CIA following the Warren Commission as part of Operation Mockingbird, the term implies that there are limits to the conspiring which powerful organizations will engage in, and that to suppose otherwise is madness. Intelligence agents may lie, cheat, and steal to achieve their ends – but these ends are ultimately for good. Police might go undercover, traffic drugs, and lie during the interrogation – but only to bring the guilty to justice. Businesses might cut corners, exaggerate the benefits, and use psychologically manipulative tactics to sell their products – but at the end of the day their products will still offer the benefit they claim.

To assert that conspiracy theories are a priori false is tantamount to asserting that there is honour amongst thieves. That there are certain lines which nobody but a lone maniac would cross. That large organizations filter out the psychopaths, and prevent them from rising to the top. That somehow – even though all and sundry are demanding that nobody be held to an objective moral standard, while late-stage capitalism focuses with perfect myopia upon the bottom line – that somehow, in spite of all of this, we can trust our institutions to hold themselves in check.

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The Holy Innocents: Patron Saints of the Pro-Life Movement? | The Download

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Babies killed on orders from King Herod.

Scripture tells us that in King Herod's attempt to kill Jesus, he had all babies in and around Bethlehem murdered. In this episode of The Download, hosts Bradley Eli, Rodney Pelletier and Kyle Kopy discuss these victims of infanticide, known as the Holy Innocents. They should be invoked as patron saints of the pro-life movement.

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The Feast of St. John the Evangelist | The Download

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The disciple whom Jesus loved.

Today, Dec. 27, is the Feast of St. John the Evangelist. In this episode of The Download, hosts Bradley Eli, Rodney Pelletier and Kyle Kopy discuss the life and writings of this apostle and evangelist.

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Primary Video source can be found here: www.churchmilitant.com/video/episode/down-the-feast-of-st-john-the-evangelist

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'Rome Dispatch' Anchors Host Retreat at Sea | Rome Dispatch

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The 10th annual Retreat at Sea sets sail with Dr. Jules Gomes and Bradley Eli.

Don't miss the opportunity to have your Catholic life changed by spending a week with the two veterans of Rome Dispatch.

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Catholic Christmas Lasts at Least 12 Days | The Download

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Today is just day two.

In the secular world, the Christmas season begins some time in November and ends some time in late December. But for Catholics, the Christmas season begins on the evening of Dec. 24 and lasts until at least the Epiphany (Jan. 6). In this episode of The Download, hosts Bradley Eli, Rodney Pelletier and Kyle Kopy discuss the various feasts of Christmastide.

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Unpacking the Three Masses of Christmas Day | The Download

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Midnight, dawn and daytime.

The liturgical books for Christmas give us three different Masses — one for Mass offered at or around midnight, one for Mass offered around the time of sunrise and one for Mass offered during the day. In this episode of The Download, hosts Bradley Eli, Rodney Pelletier and Kyle Kopy unpack the theological significance of the gospel readings from the three Masses.

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Primary Video source can be found here: www.churchmilitant.com/video/episode/down-2023-12-22

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Today's Saints in the Old and New Calendars | The Download

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St. Thomas the Apostle and St. Peter Canisius.

In the old calendar, today (Dec. 21) is the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, often called "doubting Thomas." In the new calendar, it's the feast of St. Peter Canisius, a Doctor of the Church. In this episode of The Download, hosts Bradley Eli, Rodney Pelletier and Kyle Kopy discuss the two saints.

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Does a Stable Family Life Encourage Teens to be Chaste? | The Download

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Data on sexual activity among teens.

New data from the Centers for Disease Control seems to suggest that teenagers are less likely to fornicate if they live in a home where both parents are present. In this episode of The Download, hosts Bradley Eli, Rodney Pelletier and Kyle Kopy discuss family life and chastity.

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