# What if there WAS a vast world-wide conspiracy running the world? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 14, 2016, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527 "2016-10-14T17:31:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/1 "2016-10-14T17:31:22Z")
Scenario: You are presented with incontrovertible proof that the Illuminati actually exist, and that they have been pretty much running things behind the scenes for the past couple of hundred years. What do you think about this, and how do you react? ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/2 "2016-10-14T17:43:47Z")
Well, since the world has _mostly_ improved over the course of the last two hundred years, I guess I would take that as evidence that it’s a more-or-less benevolent conspiracy, and try not to think about it any more. It’s not like there’s anything I could actually DO about it. ---
**Author:** ![pieceoftheuniverse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7993a0/32.png) [@pieceoftheuniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pieceoftheuniverse)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/3 "2016-10-14T17:51:38Z")
I would start putting my affairs in order. There are only two possible outcomes for this evidence to be presented to me, and no one else: 1. I am about to be killed for my newly-gained knowledge. 2. I am about to be inducted into the conspiracy. I doubt that I have sufficient skills or expertise for option 2, so option 1 is the most likely. If the conspiracy has existed for hundreds of years in secrecy, there’s little to no reason why that secret would suddenly become overt. So I’m doomed, and there’s nothing I can do about it. But, as **Fretful Porpentine** said, at least it’s a benevolent conspiracy. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/4 "2016-10-14T18:06:24Z")
How would I react? Oh that’s easy! I would let as many people know as possible. I would post numerous lengthy diatribes on all the internets about how THEY have been manipulating us for centuries. I would also cleverly refer to anyone disagreeing with me or resisting my efforts to “wake them up” as “sheeple” ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/5 "2016-10-14T18:06:46Z")
I’m a middle-aged white guy. So either the conspiracy is FOR my benefit, or my benefits are an ancillary effect of the conspiracy. Either way, sweet deal for me. Carry on, conspirators!! ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/6 "2016-10-14T18:09:01Z")
I consider it not just predictable, but certain. It is called oligarchy, and there is a school that believes that every economic system is certain to evolve to oligarchy, no matter what kind of system it starts out as. The only questions are A) at what point in the evolution toward oligarcny are we at right now, and B) how aware are we of that movement and its consequences. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/7 "2016-10-14T18:09:30Z")
Considering human nature, they’ve stopped us from blowing up the place and we seem to be progressing slowly but surely so…what the hell. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/8 "2016-10-14T18:12:23Z")
I would say, “Sign me up!” ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/9 "2016-10-14T18:25:07Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Scenario: You are presented with incontrovertible proof that the Illuminati actually exist, and that they have been pretty much running things behind the scenes for the past couple of hundred years. What do you think about this, and how do you react? Considering your location is Beervania, I would pick up my cane, pretend to be blind, wobble over and ask you for a beer. Then offer you a tour. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/10 "2016-10-14T19:05:15Z")
Probably the same thing that I would do if I found out I was living in the matrix. Realize that there isn’t a lot I can do about it (without getting disappeared) and so keep my head down and live my life as normal. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/11 "2016-10-14T20:37:18Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > I would say, “Sign me up!” Exactly so! This is why I’m pretty sure there isn’t a big conspiracy of this sort: I’m EXACTLY the kind of guy they want, but they’ve never approached me to recruit me. (Hey, guys, hint hint hint!) ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/12 "2016-10-14T20:42:12Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Exactly so! This is why I’m pretty sure there isn’t a big conspiracy of this sort: I’m EXACTLY the kind of guy they want, but they’ve never approached me to recruit me. > > (Hey, guys, hint hint hint!) No, sorry. You’re rhesus positive blood type is incompatible with the compliancy brain slug. ---
**Author:** ![ricksummon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ricksummon/32/3333_2.png) [@ricksummon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricksummon)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/13 "2016-10-14T20:49:18Z")
I’d have my vision augmented with sunglasses that were built into my head - then tell everyone I never asked for this. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/14 "2016-10-15T00:10:56Z")
> [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > Well, since the world has _mostly_ improved over the course of the last two hundred years, I guess I would take that as evidence that it’s a more-or-less benevolent conspiracy, and try not to think about it any more. It’s not like there’s anything I could actually DO about it. This, though I would also want to know their long term goals. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > Considering human nature, they’ve stopped us from blowing up the place and we seem to be progressing slowly but surely so…what the hell. They didn’t stop us gaining the means to blow ourselves up in the first place though! > [@ricksummon](#): > > I’d have my vision augmented with sunglasses that were built into my head - then tell everyone I never asked for this. 🙂 Well if you specifically went and got said sweet sunglasses and augments then surely you _did_ ask for it Mr Jenson 😛 ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/15 "2016-10-15T01:21:31Z")
Rest easier. It would almost be comforting to know that the entire world didn’t get this screwed up by accident; that is was more a case of bad planning and management. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/16 "2016-10-15T01:52:59Z")
Why do people look for SECRET organizations that rule the world? It’s wholly unnecessary, because the rich, important people who pretty much DO control the world get together OPENLY every year, where their goings on are heavily covered by the media! Watch the Davos meetings every year. That’s where the world’s most powerful people get together and decide how we’re all going to live. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/17 "2016-10-15T08:23:36Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Exactly so! This is why I’m pretty sure there isn’t a big conspiracy of this sort: I’m EXACTLY the kind of guy they want, but they’ve never approached me to recruit me. > > (Hey, guys, hint hint hint!) OK, make your case. Why should the conspiracy recruit you? ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/18 "2016-10-15T15:21:03Z")
The problem is society has almost been programed to disbelieve “conspiracy theories”. As a result nobody will believe you regardless of your evidence. All you’d get for your troubles is people making mocking references to tin foil hats. ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/19 "2016-10-15T15:26:41Z")
The conspiracy theory implies those involved with the conspiracy would all be working together… Think about this! Have you EVER seen any group of people, especially a group of government people (congress, politicians, etc.) all agree on anything? With that said, a “small” conspiracy group maybe. But “vast”? I don’t think so! ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527/20 "2016-10-15T16:42:54Z")
Yes, I have seen it. It is called Google. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-there-was-a-vast-world-wide-conspiracy-running-the-world/768527.md?page=2)