Conspiracy Networks in American Culture (original) (raw)

The paper explores the relationship between networks and conspiracy theories, highlighting a shared affinity defined by complexity and interconnectivity. It discusses how conspiracy theories often reduce complexity through binary thinking while simultaneously producing complex narratives that link seemingly unrelated events. The impact of the Internet on the transnational flow of conspiracy theories is considered, arguing that it facilitates the creation of decentralized conspiracy communities, though the author expresses skepticism regarding the notion of 'conspiracy without conspiring' as proposed by Knight, emphasizing that traditional patterns of agency and responsibility persist in many conspiracy narratives.