Turbulence of perception
In an era in which digital networking enables the rapid exchange of information – and disinformation – conspiracy theories form a kind of modern folk tale. Plane crashes in particular are fertile ground for such theories. But why are the spectacular theories about plane crashes so prevalent, while bus accidents hardly lead anyone to conspiracy thoughts? The answer lies not in the smoke from the wreckage, but in the psychology and cultural engineering of our society.
The psychology of the spectacular
Plane crashes are rare, dramatic events that provoke deep emotional reactions. This rarity and drama mean that such events are strongly anchored in public perception. According to Tversky and Kahneman’s principle of availability heuristics, people tend to overestimate the probability of events that are particularly memorable. A plane crash, with all its media coverage and often enigmatic nature, provides just the right amount of drama to activate this heuristic.
Technological mystification
Another aspect is the technological complexity of aeroplanes. To the layman, aeroplanes are cutting-edge technological products whose workings are shrouded in mystery. This complexity and the lack of transparency provide fertile ground for conspiracy theories. Any unexplained technical error or unsolved mystery can easily become a magnet for speculative explanations. Buses, on the other hand, as everyday and technically less mystified vehicles, offer less cause for such speculation.
Media and the spread of theories
The media play a crucial role in spreading and reinforcing conspiracy theories. Plane crashes attract global attention and are often reported in real time and with a flood of speculation. This coverage, combined with the human tendency to recognise patterns (even when none exist), reinforces the propensity to suspect hidden agendas behind random events. Bus accidents, although tragic, rarely achieve a similar media saturation and often remain local or regional news.
Cultural embedding and historical resonance
Conspiracy theories are not just cognitive phenomena, they are deeply rooted in our culture. Plane crashes, such as the mysterious case of MH370, evoke memories of historical events such as the Bermuda Triangle myth. This historical resonance reinforces the propensity for conspiracy theories. Bus accidents rarely have such a cultural embedding and are therefore less susceptible to mythological exaggeration.
Why conspiracy theories fly and buses land safely
Conspiracy theories thrive where uncertainty, technology and tragedy meet. They are the modern legends of our time, told around digital campfires, fuelled by our deepest fears and hopes. While plane crashes, as rare and dramatic events, are perfect for this, bus accidents, which are often more mundane and less technologically glamorised, tend to remain free of such speculative narratives. In this respect, we can perhaps be glad that some modes of transport metaphorically speaking “keep both wheels on the ground”.
