Let’s Talk Conspiracy Theories

A popular conspiracy theory is that the 1969 moon landing was faked. As of 2019, it was revealed that 10% of Americans still believe it was. 

Source: Pixabay / Pexels.  

When searching for alternative explanations or reasonings, conspiracy theories can be an all-consuming way for the public - and potentially higher-ups - to assert their views of how history has taken place. Some of the most popular conspiracy theories of all time, like the Founding Fathers of the United States being linked to the Illuminati and Area 51 being home to extraterrestrial life, are still being debated today.  

Some may appear harmless, fostering offbeat and creative discussions, others can be both detrimental and triggering.  

For example, conspiracies have relentlessly suggested certain tragedies were inside-jobs, and what we have come to accept as a society is false. The question is, how does this information spread so quickly, and how does this media influence public thinking? 

“Most social media is monitored with some of the malicious content being removed, but it is not always that way,” said Daria Kuznetsova, a Media and Communications lecturer, on the dissemination of information. 

“Traditional media, especially before the internet age, had very strict editorial policies, and a kind of gatekeeping in some way […] the gatekeeping really disappeared when the digital media came.” 

Kuznetsova noted how we have all become content creators on social media. 

The use and access of media can contribute to the creation and continuing belief of conspiracy theories, where digital formats such as social media apps and websites are partly responsible for its circulation.  

Think of how quickly the world began tossing up the idea that the assassination attempt on ex-President Donald Trump’s life in July was orchestrated by himself and his team to gain sympathy.  

It is through what we search and our interests that dictate the type of media we are exposed to, creating an echo chamber that is hard to escape. It is recommended that consuming a wide range of opinions and news can help to ensure that our networks are expansive and not limited. 

“There is actually some debate now in the academic community if ‘echo chambers’ really exist. But basically, what I would say is that most social media platforms have algorithms that suggest you the content they think you could like,” Kuznetsova said. 

“The algorithms do help to create echo chambers.” 

A recent pop culture conspiracy theory is that Taylor Swift is working with the NFL and is in a “PR relationship” with her Chiefs-player boyfriend Travis Kelce. 

Source: All-Pro Reels / Wikimedia Commons 

Our investigation of and engagement with conspiracy theories can depend on many things, including an emotional tie to spending time debating unorthodox possibilities, to looking to reinforce our own preexisting ideologies. 

“People tend to read the news that align with their beliefs, opinions… political opinions, conspiracy opinions,” Kuznetsova said. 

“The idea in the literature is that the media has three different pathways. The media can either shape their [people’s] opinions, reinforce the opinion that they have…and there is a third one where people can change their opinion based on the media.” 

The latter is quite rare, as the public may have an internal predisposition and preliminary knowledge on what they believe and are interested in.  

Because of the plot in National Treasure, many have believed that there is a hidden chamber filled with government secrets behind Mount Rushmore. 

Source: Nancy Swanstrom-Moore / Pexels. 

“The reason that I think conspiracy theories gain traction is because people need something to latch onto. They need something to blame, they need a reason… it kind of ties in well with religion in that it is hard for the human mind to accept the fact that things just are,” commented H.M (she/her).  

“I think that the human brain is incredibly logical and because of that no matter how “crazy” something may seem or how intense a story is, there just has to be a reason for it.” 

Regardless on where you stand with conspiracy theories, whether of the pop culture variety or those tailored towards historical and government speculations, we should always be trying to educate ourselves. This is especially crucial when we have so much influence and the media constantly at our fingertips.  

It’s all about being knowledgeable and respectful.  

There is a lot of material online about the role of religions, modern phenomena, political trust, evidence-based belief, mentality, attitudes, and democracy; and it all ties into conversations around conspiracy theories. If anything, those from the world of academia and journalism are generating some of the most intellectually sound publications around all things conspiracy related. 

So don’t be afraid to take a deep dive.