The English word "control" comes
from the Old French contrerole, defined
as having to do with a duplicate register.
Control is all about regulating, restraining, directing, commanding, and
checking. For example, as we drive, we control
our speed; ideally, we manage to control our hands and our language at the same
time. Control is a word often associated
with power. Control can take place on a
grand scale, as in the control of a country by a regime. On a lesser scale, consider how an animal
controls its territory. Control can be
vital, as in controlling fires, inflation, pollution, epidemics and the spread
of nuclear weapons. Control can also be
risky, as in using chemicals to control weeds, pests and, alas, the weather. Control is a hot topic lately. Many feel they have little or no control over
their economic future, although as consumers they are free to vote with their
money. Thanks in large part to the unhealthy
economy, divisive politics, and fast-paced technological change, many people
are frustrated. What can most of us
control if not the most personal aspects of our lives? People who feel powerless often assume that
somebody else is pulling all the strings.
Many of us suspect that disquieting 
explanations do exist for issues
such as globalization, the debt crisis, military action, environmental disasters,
and all the needless suffering in the world. Desperate to feel in control of something,
anything, some thrill seekers latch onto conspiracy theories, those complicated
stories of secret or semi-secret organizations whose main goal is control,
starting with newspapers and the media. Many
people believe that a secret cabal is controlling banks, the money supply, and international relations. Some fear, with
good reason, that profiteers are working to control the world's food supply. Increasing numbers of people fear that pharmaceutical
companies are up to no good. I myself have
often wanted to know "who" is behind today's often raunchy entertainment
business. Name any sector of public
activity and it's likely that someone has already developed a theory about who or
what controls it. Sometimes suspicion
and a cynical view are warranted. Other
times, subscribing to conspiracy theories becomes a lazy, self-comforting way
to avoid doing one's own research and thinking for oneself. For the little guy who is hurting, it's easy
to get sucked into a conspiracy theory. That's
what happened to the average German under Hitler's influence. He was sold an inflammatory theory about why Germany
was so depressed following the First World War.
Brainwashed Germans ended up mimicking Hitler in blaming Jews and
communists for hard economic times. Millions
of innocent people were massacred as the result of an intense conspiracy theory
campaign. When we subscribe to a
conspiracy theory, we stop being responsible.
We suddenly have a scapegoat. Those
who disseminate conspiracy theories run back and forth like guard dogs, barking
"top secret revelations" meant to control the thinking of basically
frightened sheep. Notice the "troll"
in control. In order to be free, and
stay free, our opinions and attitudes must remain uncontrollable, which is just
another way of saying that we 
must think independently. Reality starts as an idea in our minds, then turns
into words and actions. We all have some
power, but we hate to admit it. In any
case, we don't need someone else inventing theories about reality for us! At the end of the day, the truth is probably sitting
under our noses. To quote American
cartoonist Walt Kelly who famously wrote in his comic strip, Pogo: "We have met the enemy and he is
us." Some will be disappointed to
learn that nobody has been controlling their world. Why disappointed? Because it's just so much easier to put all the
blame on others. In conclusion, may I
suggest that we not allow ourselves to be hypnotized by trolls and paranoiacs,
no matter how interesting their mumbo-jumbo may be. Very terrible things can happen when enough foolish
people actually start to believe them. UN’AMERICANA
A VENEZIA
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