Human beings are pattern-seeking animals who will prefer even a bad theory or a conspiracy theory to no theory at all.
Interpretation
Humans naturally seek explanations or patterns, even preferring flawed ones over uncertainty.
This quote by Christopher Hitchens highlights the inherent nature of humans to look for explanations and patterns in the world around them. When faced with ambiguity or a lack of understanding, people are often inclined to adopt even incorrect theories, including conspiracy theories, in a desperate attempt to make sense of their experiences and the complexities of life.
In practice
In a discussion about social media misinformation, one could say, 'As Christopher Hitchens observed, human beings are pattern-seeking animals who will prefer even a bad theory or a conspiracy theory to no theory at all.'
In a public dialogue with Salman in London he [Edward Said] had once described the Palestinian plight as one where his people, expelled and dispossessed by Jewish victors, were in the unique historical position of being 'the victims of the victims': there was something quasi-Christian, I thought, in the apparent humility of that statement.
What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
Never ask while you are doing it if what you are doing is fun. Don't introduce even your most reliably witty acquaintance as someone who will set the table on a roar.
[E]xceptional claims demand exceptional evidence.
The worst days are when you feel foggy in the head - chemo-brain they call it. It's awful because you feel boring. As well as bored. And stupid. And resigned.
Let me tell you something: for hundreds of thousands of years, this kind of discussion would have been impossible to have, or those like us would have been having it at the risk of our lives. Religion now comes to us in this smiley-face, ingratiating way β because itβs had to give so much more ground and because we know so much more. But youβve got no right to forget the way it behaved when it was strong, and when it really did believe that it had God on its side.
No matter where; of comfort no man speak: Let's talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs; Make dust our paper and with rainy eyes Write sorrow on the bosom of the earth
I find more and more that I am a man of the 1920s. I still expect something exciting. Drinks, animated conversation, gaiety: the uninhibited exchange of ideas.
National languages are all huge systems of vested interests which sullenly resist critical inquiry.
...skepticism can never provide firm ground under a man's feet. And perhaps, after all, we need firm ground.
Sometimes I feel so sick at the state of the world I can't even finish my second apple pie.
When fascism comes to America, it will not be in brown and black shirts. It will not be with jack-boots. It will be Nike sneakers and Smiley shirts. Germany lost the Second World War. Fascism won it. Believe me, my friend.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.