While conspiracy theories are fun and get people thinking about different possibilities of certain events, people often forget that these explanations are created with sometimes no evidence and can be completely false. Often, these beliefs are obscure opinions that become viral and suddenly take over the internet. When deciding if such things are genuine, people do not do enough research and gather enough facts to determine if the circumstances or events are factual.
JFK Conspiracies
In regards to conspiracy theories, people still have hundreds of questions regarding the assassination of John F. Kennedy and who actually pulled the trigger. Throughout the years, people have been analyzing some of the explanations that have the potential of actually happening. Despite Lee Harvey Oswald being named the responsible gunman for ending JFK’s life, this case remains the most incredible American murder mystery and conspiracy. Today people still think that Oswald didn’t act alone, and he might have had a partner who helped him pull off the murder of the president. Another popular theory is that either the Chicago, Miami or New Orleans mob played a part in his death. These unanswered questions have led to massive speculation about what happened and are responsible for many books, movies, and articles in response.
Fake Moon Landing
With 12 people having been to the moon, most of the American population still believes that the moon landing was a 30 billion dollar hoax put on by the American Government. The most prominent person behind this conspiracy is William Kaysing. His reasoning for believing the moon landing didn’t happen is due to personal opinions and expertise in constructing rocket engines saying that the United States had not developed the correct technology to make this mission possible and much less successful. In the book that he wrote, he explains how he has reason to believe the picture of the moon landing was taken in a studio in Area 51 to show the Russian Soviets we are more advanced. He goes on to say that stars are not visible, but later people understood that the camera did not have a wide enough lens to capture it. Along with the publication of his book came significant attention and followers of this theory.
Area 51
Nevada’s military installation in the United States Air Force has generated more conspiracy theories than any other military force. This location is not accessible to the public and can only be reached by flying in and out of a restricted terminal and under 24/7 surveillance. Since this area is so private and classified, this often leaves Americans to wonder what happens behind the gates. The conspiracy theories started in 1955 when someone saw “unidentified flying objects” around the area. Most people take it far enough to say that the US government used this area for extraterrestrial research.
9/11
As the twin towers were destroyed and people were in shock, they were also forming conspiracy theories about the events that had just taken place. Soon after the attacks, a third of Americans believed that the United States aided in the attacks or had prior knowledge of them and had no means of preventing them. To this day, Americans still believe the widespread conspiracy theories about 9/11, with 1 in 6 believing the Bush Administration allowed the attacks to take place in order to wage war in the Middle East. In supporting their beliefs, the people who believe in this also think that the twin towers were destroyed through a “controlled demolition,” and a missile struck the Pentagon instead of the American Airlines flight. Despite years passing and much evidence, people still believe terrorists did not attack the United States on 9/11.
Why Americans Believe Conspiracy Theories
Despite Americans believing irrational ideas that they see on the internet, they choose to accept them because they perceive and embrace this information due to a sense of belonging, which drives this widespread confidence in ridiculous theories. Sometimes, when there is no explanation for a random event, people tend to believe the first thing they hear. Conspiracy theories can potentially endanger society since the ideas cause people to distrust authority and think the most influential people are corrupt. Without facts, this may not be the case.
