Conspiracy theories often emerge at times of crisis, serving as a psychological anchor for those who feel powerless. For instance, during the Black Death, secret societies like the Illuminati didn't exist yet, but blame still fell on supposed shadow groups like the Jewish community or "witches," echoing the future scapegoating of alleged covert organizations. This underscores a timeless human need to make sense of chaos by attributing it to hidden forces. Have you noticed patterns in how societies create or propagate conspiracies during uncertain times? Share your observations!