Conspiracy theory Quote by William Gibson
““Paranoia, he said, was fundamentally egocentric, and every conspiracy theory served in some way to aggrandize the believer. But he was also fond of saying, at other times, that even paranoid schizophrenics have enemies.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “Pattern Recognition” by William Gibson, 2003
Paranoia fuels egocentrism; conspiracies boost self‑importance, yet even the paranoid see enemies.
In simple terms: Paranoia makes people think they’re central and targeted.
Key Takeaway
Question the motives behind conspiracy thinking.
Themes
paranoia
ego
conspiracy theory
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- online forums
- political discourse
- personal relationships
- media consumption
Key Concepts
psychology
social perception
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports your belief?
- How might fear be influencing your conclusions?
A Different Perspective
Conspiracy thinking can be a coping mechanism, not just ego.
