It's Outside of My Control and Influence

[DISCLAIMER]

Since childhood, I’ve observed contrails (also known as vapor trails; line-shaped clouds produced by aircraft engine exhaust or changes in air pressure). Sometimes these trails were thin or fluffy, and they often spanned the length of many miles and for extensive periods of time.

Other than being somewhat amused by the trails, I didn’t think much of the common anthropogenic (of, relating to, or resulting from the influence of human beings on nature) phenomenon. Yet, later in life, I learned about chemtrails. Of this matter, one source states:

The chemtrail conspiracy theory is the erroneous belief that long-lasting condensation trails left in the sky by high-flying aircraft are actually “chemtrails” consisting of chemical or biological agents, sprayed for nefarious purposes undisclosed to the general public.

Believers in this conspiracy theory say that while normal contrails dissipate relatively quickly, contrails that linger must contain additional substances.

Those who subscribe to the theory speculate that the purpose of the chemical release may be solar radiation management, weather modification, psychological manipulation, human population control, biological or chemical warfare, or testing of biological or chemical agents on a population, and that the trails are causing respiratory illnesses and other health problems.

I reject the dismissive framing of this matter as merely a “conspiracy theory,” which is a term historically used by the Central Intelligence Agency to quash critical thinking about official narratives. Additionally, I welcome open inquiry which is part of the scientific method.

For context, a “theory” is a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena. However, in common parlance, this term simply relates to a belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action.

The latter description arguably has less to do with “theory” and more accurately resembles a “hypothesis” which is an assumption or concession made for the sake of argument; a tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences.

When suppressing chemtrail discussion by referring to it as a “debunked conspiracy theory,” it’s as though the topic doesn’t warrant critical analysis. Hypotheses and theories alike are open to questioning. After all, those who claim that “science is settled” fail to understand science itself.

Therefore, I reject the elitism of those who automatically disregard open inquiry into chemtrails. To provide a steel man version of the hypothetical chemtrail argument, consider the following syllogism:

Form (hypothetical) –

If p, then q; if q, then r; therefore, if p, then r.

Example –

If weather-modification projects such as those facilitated by chemtrails exist, then some of these actions may lead to unintended consequences. If some of these actions may lead to unintended consequences, then there remains the potential for harm. Therefore, if weather-modification projects such as those facilitated by chemtrails exist, then there remains the potential for harm.

Given this argument, I maintain that open inquiry – rather than stifling labels of “conspiracy theory” – could address matters of concern (an uneasy state of blended interest, uncertainty, and apprehension). I’ll say a bit more about concern in a bit. For now, consider what one source says:

It was once thought to be a conspiracy theory — but now the Trump Administration is promising to put an end to what it calls a ‘crime against humanity.’ The ‘chemtrail’ conspiracy focuses on the idea that the government is spraying a host of dangerous chemicals from commercial airliners to intentionally make people sick […]

US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr [RFK Jr.] is a long time believer they are part of a ‘mass uncontrolled experiment.’ RFK Jr has suggested chemtrails are ‘affecting the environment and our health,’ along with touting [geoengineering] as ‘a real program.’

Perhaps you read the remarks of RFK Jr. and unhelpfully conclude that his beliefs are irrational (not in accordance with both logic and reason). Yet, regarding geoengineering, consider that it was only a couple days ago that the Manchester Evening News reported:

Scientists are planning on ‘dimming the Sun’ in a bid to cool the planet and curb global warming. They believe a controversial geoengineering technique could be used to cool Earth by reflecting sunlight away from our home planet – and could be achieved using large planes.

For those who are old enough to remember the 1999 film The Matrix, the character Morpheus stated of a similarly unfortunate endeavor when he said:

At some point in the early 21st century, all of mankind was united in celebration. We marveled at our own magnificence as we gave birth to A.I. [artificial intelligence] – singular consciousness that spawned an entire race of machines. We don’t know who struck first, us or them, but we know that it was us [humans] that scorched the sky.

At the time, they were dependent on solar power and it was believed that they would be unable to survive without an energy source as abundant as the sun. Throughout human history, we have been dependent on machines to survive. Fate, it seems, is not without a sense of irony.

If fate isn’t deprived a sense of irony, then it may be argued that The Matrix also retains a satirical element for having ostensibly predicted geoengineering efforts which are currently being proposed. One doesn’t know whether to laugh or baulk at this matter.

Imagine the hubris (exaggerated pride or self-confidence) of those who presumably believe they can go to war with nature. When contemplating this matter I’m reminded of a photo from my time in the Marine Corps, wherein contrails or chemtrails are visible in the image:

I mentioned “concern” earlier and now I’ll expand upon its usage. When using Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) I find value in conceptualizing hypothetical circles of control, influence, and concern, and area of no concern, as I said in a blogpost entitled O Let’s Do It:

I find it helpful to conceptualize control, influence, and even concern and no concern, using imaginary circles. Regarding this concept, I stated in a blogpost entitled Minding Your Circle:

The sphere of control encompasses only oneself, the sphere of influence encapsulates elements which may be subject to one’s sway, the sphere of concern engrosses most matters one can imagine, and the area of no concern relates to all content which isn’t yet imagined.

The circle of concern regards elements such as the past, an inevitable death, natural disasters, and so forth. The area of no concern relates to concepts such as other dimensions, sentient life in other galaxies, an afterlife, and so on.

Do I have direct or indirect control over contrails, chemtrails, geoengineering, the hubris of humankind, or other such elements of life? No. As well, I have no meaningful direct influence over these matters, as I may have exceedingly limited indirect influence.

For example, I could set fire to a forest and the effects of this unadvisable action could indirectly increase the level of carbon in the atmosphere for a time. Because I’m not foolish enough to engage in such behavior, I don’t really have influence over the aforementioned elements of life.

Because it’s outside of my control and influence to do anything about contrails, chemtrails, geoengineering, and the hubris of humankind, which occurred as far back as the photo posted herein (2000), I don’t self-disturb about matters which are outside of my control and influence.

How about you? Presuming you aren’t arrogant enough to believe that you know all there is to know, and imagining that you aren’t foolish enough to suppress open inquiry by others, how do you deal with topics which are outside of your control and influence?

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

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Council on Foreign Relations. (2024, September 17). What Is Geoengineering? Retrieved from https://education.cfr.org/learn/reading/what-geoengineering

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