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| Fake moon landing? |
Click here to see a list of the ten most enduring conspiracy theories, compiled by TIME magazine.
Click here to see a much longer list maintained by our good friends at Wikipedia.
Do you know people who believe one of the conspiracy theories listed above?
Can you think of any "conspiracy theories" that were later proved right?
To what extent would you say the tendency to believe in conspiracy theories is associated with a vulnerability to "ripping good yarns" and to what extent it is associated with education level? What other factors play a role in determining whether someone is likely to be drawn to conspiracy theories?
As a direct answer: Yes. I knew two people (older, neither still living) who did not believe anyone had landed on the moon! In fact, one referred to the early radio hoax (story) of creatures from another planet (Mars?) invading the world (the U.S.) and therefore believed that the moon landing was a TV trick. Another reason a conspiracy theory may develop in a person's mind may be the result of some small difference (mistake) in an early report - before all the facts are known. Being a story telling animal, the mind may grab that one mistaken item, and run with it to a complete conspiracy theory..
ReplyDeleteIn June of 2013, I had an opportunity to witness repercussions of Holocaust Revisionism firsthand. I was at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. whenever I saw one of the most shameful things imaginable. A group of heavily armed security guards were forcefully removing an individual who did not think that the museum should be in existence because he believed that “the Holocaust never happened.” Needless to say, the gruesome images and artifacts of the deaths of millions proved otherwise….
ReplyDeleteIn this particular case, I’m quite certain that the individual in question had been taught to believe that the Holocaust was not a real thing. He was incredibly certain of his belief. That being said, his actions came from the ignorance of others and his own vulnerability to take up stories. In general, however, the modern attempt to wash away the Holocaust stems from either shame or a belief that Nazism is still justified. Looking at conspiracies on a broader scale, I believe that the same thing could be said. People are either misinformed, unjustified, or cannot believe in what has occurred, so they make up ridiculous claims to appease their disbelief.
- Dillon Rea
Conspiracy theories are definitely based less on knowledge and more on the creativity of the story. This reminds me of a documentary I saw on Charles Manson, who led a cult and used the people of his cult to murder others just by commanding them to do so. Manson was very charismatic, influential, and a great story-teller, and the people who were following him were emotionally very weak and vulnerable. This combination of people- a leader who seems to know all the answers, and the followers who are weak-willed and easily manipulated- seem to be the norm when it comes to conspiracy theories. When someone has that much influence over a group of people, he can create any basis of truth and they will whole-heartedly believe in it. It's less about how reasonable the story sounds and more about how these people let the stories consume their lives.
ReplyDeleteWhen I hear “conspiracy,” I always think of Hyde off of That 70s Show, talking about “the feds” or “the establishment” and how the government was behind a lot of the bad things going on.
ReplyDeleteConspiracy Theories are interesting to hear out; to hear someone’s views and why they think that. It is weird when these theories do seem to add up. The insane similarities between the Lincoln and Kennedy assassinations still blow my mind. But personally I try to stay out of all “theories,” even if I’m hearing the information from somebody I love and trust. I’d rather hear the facts and get the truth then spend time mulling over falsehoods that end up staying just that: false.
-Elizabeth Keck