My earlier commentary on Evolutionary theory, posted here and as a comment on Dandavats garnered some response. On Facebook I got one comment and hooked up with one person who has a similar perspective, which is encouraging.
On Dandavats, however, there has been no response.
On another website, which shall remain nameless, a standard reply to no response is: "Your failure to rise to our challenge proves that we are right! Your silence is acceptance of your guilt! Why is no-one stepping forward to speak to this? Where are all the big leaders?"
But of course, the lack of a reply doesn't always mean that your logic is so tight, your arguments so on the money and irrefutable that everyone is cowering in the darkness, hiding from the light of righteousness shining from the torch you, the hero, are holding aloft. Sometimes it just means that you're a dick.
However, it's hard to tell whether the silence on Dandavats is because no-one who reads Dandavats thinks that the comment is worthy of a response, or because there is a dark conspiracy, lead by "elements within the leadership of ISKCON"*, to suppress all discussion of evolutionary theory by the membership of ISKCON.
The Dandavats' commentary censorship policy, undocumented officially but observed in action by several people, including myself, does lend itself to a juicy conspiratorial interpretation, complete with shadowy hooded figure tapping finger tips together and intoning: "Excellent!".
Several comments that people have made to me on Facebook point to such a conspiracy as well.
I'll leave you to discuss this amongst yourselves. If a source on the inside wants to give an anonymous tip off, leave a comment or send me an email.
I'll write Praghosa prabhu, the editor of Dandavats to see why my comment sank like a stone.
Meanwhile, check out this short clip that aired on ABC Counterpoint:
David Aaronovitch throws cold water on some of the more crazy ideas getting around and asks why have conspiracy theories become such a part of modern life? Are they just a bit of harmless fun or is there something more sinister and damaging about them?
- Conspiracy Theories - Counterpoint - 8 June 2009 (audio)
* I put "elements in the leadership of ISKCON" in quotes because for me the leadership of ISKCON rests with people who I find inspiring and whose example I emulate. In the interest of constructing an entertaining conspiracy narrative, however, here we are using the classic "the guys who control everything, like the ISKCON Illuminati" definition that is in common use.
if the ISKCON-illuminati
if the ISKCON-illuminati wanted to silence any discussion of evolution theory, why publish your comment at all? would have been easier to drop it. of course, publishing it and then showing that nobody responds might be a plot to discourage you and others who share your opinion, but that seems too subtle to me.
regarding conspiracy theories in general, in ISKCON or elsewhere, i believe that most of them are much simpler than the theorists think. IMO it's mostly a conspiracy of maya and assorted anarthas, like greed, which leads people to conspire with others who have similar interests.
if you control tons of money you'll get together with others who also do, and naturally you're not going to tell everybody else about the plans you develop. if you have a position in an organization like ISKCON and want it to go in a certain direction, you get together with others who share your ideas, and if you happen to control a website, you'll use that to furher your plans, of course.
far as i understand, dandavats has been conceived as a propaganda tool for the GBC, or a faction of the GBC, counteracting sites like chakra.org, which some thought had too much influence in devotee circles. moderation of comments is one aspect of this purpose. you can call this a "conspiracy" if you like, but i think "propaganda" is a more fitting description.
ys phani.
Phani, that's exactly what
Phani, that's exactly what they want you think!. >;-)