Paranoia
We live in an world of paranoia.
Paranoia can be broadly described as an exaggerated distrust. In the past, paranoia used to give rise to legends and myths and also strengthened Man's faith in God. But in modern times, paranoia has taken on a new dimension. These days, all incidents are over-analysed and the worst scenario is always the most popular one. An Air France flight crashed in the Atlantic a few weeks ago and the Bermuda Triangle was immediately designated as the culprit (no-one checked the facts before assuming that since the crash occurred thousands of miles from the famous triangle). A shop was recently reduced to ashes in Rose Hill, Mauritius and I was shocked to see people suggesting that it was all part of a hoax. We have a tendency to quickly jump on the bandwagon of doom as soon as an event unfolds. Why don't we sit down and think things over before assuming anything? Why can't an incident be down to bad luck or coincidence? It is as if bad intentions and miscreancy are more entertaining and hence more believable (by some weird kind of logic), even if the odds are high.
We have even higher levels of paranoia nowadays. I am sure everyone knows the New World Order (NWO) 'theory'. Some people believe that certain forces are at work to create an elitist and centralised control centre of the world, a world which will be totalitarian, with dire human rights. All these people base themselves on are myths and unexplained events. When something is secret and concealed (like the Bildenberg group), it HAS to be evil. If CCTV cameras are being placed at every street corner, then Big Brother is keeping an eye on ALL of us. ALL texts and phone conversations are taped and analysed by the powers that be. The financial crisis is the work of the NWO. The Sept 11 attacks were the doing of the US government. Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon while 'on Earth'. It seems to be human nature (doesn't apply to all humans of course) to be paranoid about major world-changing events which haven't been properly explained. I mean who is stupid enough to blindly believe the malarkey that is the alleged end of the world in 2012? Sometimes, certain people would claim to be very aware of these conspiracy theories so as to sound cleverer than their peers. They would often throw random pieces of information at you to prove their point if you try to challenge their opinion. They revel in something which can be described as information manipulation in order to prove certain theories. They work backwards from the theory and gather random information which would lead to that theory. That's not the way it's done. You always work from the facts and information available TOWARDS the theory. Otherwise you are just trying to piece together incoherent information for the sole purpose of proving a conspiracy really exists. If there is insufficient information, DO NOT BLOODY ASSUME THE FIRST BAD THING THAT COMES TO YOUR MIND BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MAKE YOU SOUND SMART!!
Paranoia is also rampant in everyday life. Couples fight a lot because of paranoia. Families break down because of it. If your boyfriend of girlfriend does not return a call repeatedly, then he or she is cheating on you. If he or she goes out with friends a lot, it could again be unfaithfulness. In extended families, you always have brothers, cousins, sisters, sisters-in-law,...etc thinking that other individuals or groups of individuals in the house or compound are 'plotting' against them. This is also called the 'Tulsi Syndrome'. Another instance which is frequent amongst girls is the belief held by certain girls in a group that other girls are trying to upstage them. Girls are also so paranoid about their appearance, it's incredible. I used to be so sick of hearing about the 'problems' or paranoia of some of my friends of the fairer gender that I started telling them that I have no interest AT ALL in their 'troubles' and 'apprehensions' involving their girl friend. I was, as a result, dismissed as being insensitive...
Another form of paranoia can be pessimism, but atleast that is not always irrational. Pessimism can be good because it can be due to prudence. In the same way, being paranoid could be understandable. After all, we can't be all gullible and believe everything we are told or see. But there is a limit and in many ways, the limit is exceeded all too often in the world of today. I, for one am properly sick of it! That's why I probably sound very irritable on certain blogs when people reveal paranoid thoughts and opinions!!
Another rant down, millions more to go. Now, where is my box of Yorkshire tea??! I could swear the maid stole it...
