Daily Times

Who has not been forwarded a conspiracy theory on their chats or even or via a social media forum? We’ve all had those trickling down into our lives and some of them have ranged from the seemingly plausible to the ridiculous. Mostly, the latter. A popular and most annoying on the list that has been repetitively fed to us, for years, was the use of the mobile phone and of things that will happen to our brains, apparently if we slept next to it. If that didn’t get us to think about it, at least once google it a little just to check if our elders were right in giving us that warning.

The problem with some of the conspiracy theories is that they link back to common things that may or may not be true and, therefore, sound relatively plausible, even for a few lines, to give it a read till you reach the point where you understand that they are just nonsense. Usually, it’s a competitor for a product or somebody just making mischief. The theories that were once just in the form of conversation at one point coming from “those who knew,” apparently or were told firsthand used old methods to pass it on. Now, braced with technology, the theorist can forward mass messages to several people at one go. The telephone call and the drawing-room chit chat, what once haunted what we call the “conspiracy theory brigade” is now forwarded with ease to thousands causing more dismay.

An aunt residing in the States was the main culprit of so many videos forwards, that it filled up my inbox with nonsense and I had to block her at one point. I did open the connection for occasions and holidays, and she would get back on track forwarding all western “Saazish” (Conspiracies) whilst happily sitting abroad. I think some people will never learn the art of conversation. What I did mind was why sit and enjoy the benefits of living abroad yet forward inane theories to Pakistanis. We aren’t lesser in knowing what to believe and what not to. But perhaps it is not as generational as much as one would imagine.

The main surprise that came for me was when I posted a public service message on Facebook that was released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a part of their myth busters. This post, in particular, was pertaining to the myth about the 5G technology and the connection to the novel coronavirus. That is the one that I got the most reaction out of and that too from a very different generation. It seemed to be so triggering to a few that it led to heated remarks on my timeline. One couldn’t turn off comments on FB and because the comments were sounding as if they were upset with the fact I put up the message, I took the public service message off just to ease the audience of people I knew. Apparently, one wasn’t allowed to serve up a public service message that corrected the beliefs on the matter either. The rate of comments from a younger generation who were both using Facebook and different multimedia was quite alarming. There was one tirade in particular from a digital trainer which was surprising. Given the fact that the digital trainer worked with different International clients and should’ve had the common sense not to bring in the entire western world as conspirators against the human race. It seemed either the virus and being under lockdown has either made people sensitive which could be the case, or they were simply of the belief that the surge in Corona cases worldwide being reported were part of some grand conspiracy and even more so that 5G technology was something to be looked at suspiciously. The former could be understandable, but the latter was very disturbing to think that educated people would believe that kind of rubbish.

As time has passed, more and more people have realised the novel Coronavirus is not a conspiracy

The conspiracy theory brigade has left no stone unturned nor a person of interest either. The one I found the most annoying and vile was the one about Bill and Melinda Gates. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is dedicating a huge amount of resources to fund research into the cure for the Coronavirus pandemic. The Gates Foundation is already known for and has done the most incredible philanthropic work for millions worldwide. They should be given accolades for their humanitarian work. Whatever outcome happens out of their research, their efforts should be upheld and given the honour. The suspicion of their good intentions was deplorable. Here, one was glad that many people rightfully remarked in their defence by saying how ironically enough, people using the Gates technology, sitting in the comfort of their living rooms accusing them of mala fide intent- all the while enjoying the benefits of technology that they couldn’t give up.

As time has passed, more and more people have realised the novel Coronavirus is not a conspiracy. COVID-19 is a global pandemic and has taken away the lives of people we know. We have lost people we love, and it is no longer the case of somebody we heard of. Each time a death devastates a home and loved ones, it leaves many behind in pain and anguish. The surge in cases worldwide is very real. The medical practitioners and other frontline workers in their constant fight in this must be upheld with as they do their duties. The 5G towers do not enable anything except what they are meant for; new and latest technology. We must, at this time, learn to accept the on-ground realities. We must be able to think about what we are saying out there and not create further panic and dismay to an already emotionally wrought world.

COVID-19 will have to be fought as the invisible enemy it is – together, as one world. The world will certainly keep updating itself and the conspiracy theorists will, unfortunately, keep up with their problematic viewpoints. We need to draw the line here and learn to delete not just false messages but the aspect of the conspiracy theorists permanently from our lives.

The writer is known for her articles on socio-cultural impact