In recent years, Norway has become known as one of the most tolerant countries in Europe – but that’s not what it used to be. It’s not the only country, on a recent trend of conspiracy theories emerging everywhere.
Let’s dive in on the subject of conspiracy theories and why they are getting so popular these days.
What Are Conspiracy Theories?
A conspiracy theory is an unfounded story or claim about something being planned by people who are secretly working together for an ulterior motive.
These stories usually involve some sort of coverup or deception. Most often, they stem from a person’s belief that there is an organized group behind some big event or issue, which could either include government officials or other influential organizations such as banks, companies, or even media outlets.
While many conspiracy theories have been proven false over time, others remain popular today because they were built on solid evidence and facts rather than speculation. One popular example of this is the idea that the United States was involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. This conspiracy theory has held up despite several investigations and extensive scrutiny of all available documents and footage from the day of the shooting. In fact, numerous historians still believe that Oswald acted alone.
Some examples of successful conspiratorial claims include:
- That JFK wasn’t assassinated at all and he died due to natural causes.
- That 9/11 was completely orchestrated by George W. Bush and his administration.
- That Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with the attacks of September 11th 2001.
- That the moon landings never happened.
- That vaccines cause autism.
Theories That Have Rocked the World
Although we may think of conspiracy theories as having originated in America, they can actually be traced back thousands of years ago. Ancient societies believed that their gods controlled everything around them, including wars, disease outbreaks, famine, and more. Many cultures developed elaborate myths and legends to explain how these events occurred without any human involvement whatsoever.
It should also be noted that while many conspiracy theories originate outside of North America, many Americans will hold onto certain ideas regardless of whether or not they’re true. For instance, conspiracy theorists in the US continue to insist that aliens exist despite the lack of any real proof. And though the US has a long history of racial discrimination, many American citizens still refuse to accept the existence of slavery.
Conspiracy Theory Websites
With so much misinformation floating around nowadays, it can be hard to separate truth from fiction. Luckily, there are websites dedicated to debunking various conspiracy theories. Some of these sites even take things further by providing information about specific groups and individuals associated with each conspiracy theory. While many of the sites only discuss debunked theories, others delve deeper into the background and details of the theories themselves.
Here are some of our favorite conspiracy theory websites:
- Infowars.com — Infowars is well-known for spreading fake news and anti-establishment propaganda. However, if you want to learn more about the history and development of conspiracy theories, you might enjoy reading through Infowars’ archives.
- Snopes.com — Snopes is another great resource when looking to determine whether a particular conspiracy theory is legit. It offers quick summaries and explanations of different theories alongside links to original sources (if applicable).
- WikiLeaks.org — WikiLeaks is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 that publishes leaked classified materials related to international politics, diplomacy, and military affairs. Although the site doesn’t specifically address conspiracy theories, its founder Julian Assange regularly discusses important topics like global surveillance and privacy issues.
- YouTube.com/watch?v=j1dNkXrJx3c — YouTube is home to countless videos discussing conspiracy theories. Here’s a list of 10 top conspiracy channels on YouTube that you should definitely check out!
- Vimeo.com/channels/trutherschannel — Vimeo is home to many interesting documentaries about controversial subjects. Check out this channel’s video collection titled “Truth About Trutherism,” a compilation of short videos explaining the origins and motivations behind trutherism.
- Wikileaks.org/wiki/List_of_articles_on_conspiracy_theory — Wikileaks is a website dedicated to publishing leaked classified information. Its wiki page includes a list of articles about conspiracy theories published between 2010 and 2016. All of the articles are sourced from reputable publications and are written by journalists and authors whose work you know and trust.
How Do You Know If a Conspiracy Is Real?
There are two main ways to tell if a conspiracy theory is legitimate. First, examine the source material for yourself. If someone is claiming that a major corporation has paid off politicians, look for independent reports that corroborate those accusations before believing them.
Second, consider your own experiences. If a particular theory seems farfetched to you, then chances are good that it probably isn’t based on anything concrete. On the other hand, if it sounds plausible enough to make sense, then it might very well be true.
To stay informed about current trends in conspiracy theories, sign up for an email subscription to the Daily Dot newsletter. To read more about conspiracy theories, see How to Spot Fake News and What Fake News Isn’t..
Originally posted 2023-02-08 16:43:30.