Conspiracy Theories

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 96597

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "arrowsmithbt"
<arrowsmithbt at b...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Jim Ferer" <jferer at y...> wrote:

> > JIM said:
> 
> > Why am I ranting about this?  I feel strongly about it.  I'm 
> > genuinely troubled by the conspiracy theory world view.  In the 
> > Harry Potter context, I don't want my kids to think this is how 
> > the world works. I don't want other HP readers to think that, 
> > either.
> > 
> > JKR has many surprises for us, but she always plays fair and 
> > straight. That's a big part of her genius.
> >

> ArrowSmith/Kneasy responds:
> 
> What world view?
> Real Life or the Potterverse or the Site?
> They're all different.
> Because if you don't want your kids exposed to all the 'conspiracy' 
> theories, remember, they're not in the books, they only exist on 
> this site and others like it.  And this site is meant to be for 
> adults, not kids. The remedy is in your hands as a parent. 
> And speaking as a 60 year old adult I do not take kindly to others 
> with 'correct opinions' telling me what to think.
> 
> Kneasy


bboy_mn:

While I can't speak for anyone else with any authority, I none the
less speculate that what Jim is getting at is that there are some
pretty extreme and dark theories out there that seem to go against the
obvious.

Take any character in the book including Hedwig, Crookshanks, and
Trevor and add 'ESE!' in front of their name, and you are very likely
to find a post with a thoroughly rational, or perhaps I should say
rationalized, explanation of why that character is 'Ever So Evil' (ESE!).

I think Jim is making a plea to follow the old Freudian adage that
says, 'sometimes a cigar is just a cigar'.

One of the biggest ESE! theories is ESE!Lupin; a theory that I am very
much against. Lupin is painted a good person, and I think that's what
he is.

Another, is the MAGICAL DISHWASHER theory, that while interesting,
paints Dumbledore as a ruthless puppetmaster who is controlling every
aspect of the story from behind the scenes. It goes far beyond the
idea that Dumbledore has an overal plan and is working on it, to
having him orchestrate the death of Harry's parent and the rebirth of
Voldemort because the serve his grand plan. 

Theorize all you want but I will feel horribly betrayed if Dumbledore,
Ron, Hedwig, or Lupin turn out to be 'Ever So Evil', and I think that
is the point Jim is making. If Dumbledore turns out to be a ruthless
heartless puppetmaster, a lot of kids and adults are going to be
severely disillusioned about the world, and are going to lose a degree
of faith in the heavily build upon concepts of loyalty, trust, and
friendship. 

On the other hand, as wildly impossible as some of the ESE! theories
are, they can be fun speculation and diversions. Personally, I thought
the idea that Snape was a Vampire was ridiculous, but a lot of people
has a great deal of FUN with the theory both proving and disproving
it. As much as I hated those threads, I occassionally enjoyed some of
the ideas. 

So, let us all on both sides of the 'ESE!' theories remember that it's
all in fun, and we go at it knowing that the chances of getting it
right are microscopic. But I really don't think it's about getting it
rigth, it's about exploring the possibilities, and afteral, anything
is possible. Although, I try my hardest to contain my wild
speculations to what I think might be likely.

Just a few thoughts.

bboy_mn