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Conspiracy Theories
No spoilers here: Society abounds with conspiracy theories. Additionally, fascination with unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs, or UFOs for the old-school audience), has not waned at all. Then there are carnival psychics, ghosts, faith healings, and, of course, the ubiquitous September 11 conspiracies. Barry Markovsky’s book, Everyday Extraordinary: A Scientist Ponders a Lifetime of Magical, Bizarre, and Paranormal Experiences, covers these topics.
A longtime professor of sociology at the University of South Carolina whose research has focused on social influence and group behavior, Markovsky brings an academic perspective to these familiar territories. Well-versed skeptics may not find new material in the pages of his book but the conversational tone and sprightly pace of his writing makes this a beautiful read for beginners and experts alike. It really seems like a wonderful gateway book to help many become well-informed skeptical believers.
The premise is appealing. Markovsky recounts several unusual experiences from his own life and, rather than immediately embracing a supernatural explanation or dismissing the events outright, he attempts replication and investigation. Each chapter typically begins with an anecdote—often a childhood memory or formative experience—and then moves into possible explanations for the phenomenon in question. Importantly, they remain possibilities. Markovsky avoids dogmatic pronouncements about the impossibility of extraordinary claims and is never demeaning toward those who continue to hold such beliefs.
Throughout his book he argues that people should take the time to review genuine scientific research when considering supernatural claims or conspiracy theories. In many cases these topics can be harmless curiosities, but they can also affect real lives and relationships. Markovsky recounts, for instance, a relationship he began with a woman who believed strongly in homeopathic medicine while he remained skeptical.
According to his account, he questioned her stance and she provided some details as to why she remained a proponent of her favored practice. Their conversations remained civil despite disagreements over the scientific validity of homeopathy; however, their differences proved significant enough to prevent the relationship from continuing. Beliefs about such matters can become personal fault lines.
He also discusses concerns he had about his niece when she became increasingly anxious about government surveillance. Her worries eventually expanded into broader conspiracy theories about the alleged “real” motivations and perpetrators behind the attacks of September 11 at the World Trade Center.
Episodes like this illustrate how such beliefs can shape a person’s worldview. Sometimes these phases pass; at other times they can lead to real-world actions and consequences. In an era where misinformation spreads easily, the stakes can be high. Acting without careful thought or consideration is a social challenge with real and tangible results.
Perhaps that is the book’s central message. Markovsky encourages readers to think carefully, to examine evidence, and to engage others with civility even when disagreements are sharp. Like Fox Mulder from The X-Files, many of us still “want to believe,” but belief should not come at the expense of empathy or respect for those who remain unconvinced.
At the same time, Markovsky suggests that those working in scientific fields should resist the temptation to assume they alone possess all truth. Evidence must remain the final arbiter, even when it challenges our expectations. Openness to perspectives different from our own is essential if we hope to grow as individuals and as a society.
Ultimately, Markovsky’s subtle, calm, ironic sense of wonder lies not in the supernatural but in the world itself. Aliens might be cool, but we haven’t seen them yet and the sunset is glorious and is sure to be present in the gloaming.
