DD and the rat: Conspiracy theories/why theorise?

[Smythe, Boyd T {FLNA}]

No: HPFGUIDX 115925

Neri wrote: <large snip>
>> But the conspiracy theories are so much more complicated than the canon
version of the Shrieking Shack that I shudder to think how JKR is going to
explain them in the middle of Book 7 dramatic climax. <<

And Carolyn responded: <large snip>
> I think this misses the point somewhat. Firstly, things only look
complicated when you don't have the full picture. <


boyd:
Allow me to state for the record that I am firmly 100% entirely for the
art/science of theorising, as my past posts have shown. And I will further
argue that the defense of theorising need go no further than stating the
obvious: JKR is holding something(s) back from us, but we don't know what.
e.g., how/why Harry can defeat LV, GH, The Gleam, Slytherin/other founders,
and the locked MoM door.

So raising possible solutions to this bevy of layered riddles is not just
understandable, but unavoidable.

Neri and others have already declared that the true answer must be
simplifying, an argument with which most agree. I find that many of our
better theories do just this. For example, MD simplifies many mysteries by
adding just one new element--DD's agenda with its behind-the-scenes
tactics--thus MD's popularity. Just as JKR adds Polyjuice to simplify/solve
the mysteries within GOF, a good theory may add a new element that is, by
itself, seemingly complex in order to tie together a number of other loose
ends. Nice job, MDDT! Of course, IMO you're just an exciting enabler,
because the greater mysteries are not resolved within MD alone. And I'm
still not convinced that OoP furthered MD much, since we still haven't seen
DD doing anything as sly and calculating as the greater chuncks of MD.

However, where I really lose faith occasionally is in our solutions' ability
to be *illuminating*. Do we really think that this whole series is only
about beating LV? Please, no. My heart screams for more. Where is the great
moral? Where is the reason for me to sit back after the series and ponder
the brilliance? Or does Harry's importance end with the defeat of one
baddie? Just doesn't feel right.

That's why I and others occasionally posit such broad new elements as a need
to destroy all magic, or a singular evil life force coming back repeatedly
throughout time, and so on. To whit, if Harry succeeds in destroying not
just one dark lord, but evil magic forever, doesn't that make his horrible
childhood and continuing burdens seem more tragically meaningful? That's
just one example of an illuminating theory, and doesn't it feel much more
likely than a simple plot twist such as ESE? Especially if she's had this
whole thing plotted out since the beginning, I'd expect a bangy, meaningful
conclusion. Something illuminating.

As for conspiracy theories in general...you had me at conspiracy. :)

-- boyd
wondering whether the WW is governed by a magical karma, wherein one's good
& bad deeds (e.g. life debts) will be repayed in kind seemingly through
chance. Peter unintentionally does good! LV's tremendous evils engender a
bangy end to him & all of his kind! Justice on this earth! News at 10!