Conspiracy theories are now widely associated with paranoia, thanks to Hofstadter’s 1964 publication labelling them ‘the paranoid style’. They seem dark, foreboding and hugely pessimistic; what if a secret cabal really is planning to take over the world and lead us into dystopia? But is there another side to conspiracy theory? For some, conspiracy theories not only offer clarity and certainty in confusing and unusual situations (think catastrophic events, untimely deaths, rapid societal changes), but also give us a glimpse – albeit fleeting – of a better world. In this talk, we will examine how the conspiracy theory narrative provides us with a platform to explore notions of freedom and power, but often ultimately ends up in reinforcing the very power structures it claims to critique. The presentation will be illustrated with examples of popular and lesser-known conspiracy theories.

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