Conspiracy Theory In American Culture

On September 11, 2001, 19 people hijacked four airliners and carried out suicide attacks against their targets.. Two of the planes crashed into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the third plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C., and the fourth crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. Over 3,000 people were killed during the attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., including more than 400 police officers and firefighters. (“9/11 attacks”2010). The conspiracy theories started just days after the September 11, 2001 attack. The conspiracies were easy to spread fast when using the internet and they became more and more elaborate as time went on. The most popular 9/11 conspiracy theory is that 9/11 was orchestrated by the American government.

The attack on American soil on September 11, 2001 is one conspiracy theory to consider. The timelines given to the American people concerning the 9/11 attack do not make sense. At approximately 8:46 am the American Airlines Flight 11 heading to Los Angeles crashes into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, and at 9:03 am the United Airlines Flight 175 strikes the South Tower of the World Trade Center. The American Airlines Flight 77 traveling from Dulles, Virginia

Brian Keeley’s short essay, “Of Conspiracy Theories” discusses conspiracy theories and their value in an epistemological context. Keeley defines a conspiracy theory as “a proposed explanation of some historical event (or events) in terms of the significant causal agency of a relatively small group of persons-the conspirators-acting in secret (Keeley 1999, pg. 116).” Keeley seeks to answer the question of why conspiracy theories are unwarranted. His interest in the warrant of conspiracy theories focuses on ¬the unfalsifiability of conspiracy theories and how conspiracy theories are founded upon an extraordinarily large amount of skepticism. In section III, Keely discusses what a conspiracy theory is, and contends that there is no grounds for

Maggie Koerth Baker’s piece titled Why rational people buy into conspiracy theories represents the reasons why rational people believe in conspiracy theories. Throughout the article Baker tries to explain the reasons behind the belief of conspiracy theories supported by research and evidence. This paper will review Baker’s article as well as her main arguments, will evaluate the quality of Baker’s writing and focus on any areas of weakness within the article.

In the world today there are events that happen and have stories untold. On the rise are many different twists that come about from events happening. “63 percent of registered American voters believe in at least one political conspiracy theory according to a recent poll conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University” (“Theories Prosper”). There are many different conspiracy theories in the world today including, included in the top ten lists of conspiracy theories is the Sandy Hook elementary shooting, the Boston Marathon bombings, as well as the September 11th terrorist attacks. Ever wonder how a conspiracy theory comes alive and what is all needed to justify the meaning of a conspiracy theory?

Conspiracy theories have caused people to question everything the government tells them for hundreds of years. A conspiracy theory is an explanation of an event or situation that invokes a conspiracy without warrant. Conspiracy theories generally involve an illegal or harmful act carried out by the government or other powerful actors.The Moon landing is still one of the biggest conspiracy theories in the world. After forty-eight years it is still being debated and discussed in many laboratories, and classrooms across the globe.On July 20, 1969, two American astronauts by the name of Neil Armstrong, and Buzz Aldrin allegedly, landed safely on the moon. The entire world was shocked, especially the Soviet Union. On that day many people were

Conspiracy theories are capturing, they make your mind buzz with intense thoughts. The world of conspiracies stretches out on smooth marble paths for miles, branching out on every side. They’re winding roads of opportunity and mystery, each one a new idea to read. In this essay, I will be

In the history of the United States, and possibly of human civilization, the largest conspiracy on record is the controversy surrounding the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Initially, the mere existence of the conspiracy theory enabled Americans to carefully evaluate the evidence presented before them by the government. Though when the conspiracy is meticulously reexamined, as it is by Jesse Ventura in They Killed Our President: 63 Reasons to Believe There Was a Conspiracy to Assassinate JFK, it becomes clear that there was indeed a conspiracy to kill the nation’s 35th president. Furthermore, the conspiracy was covered up by the U.S. government, intentionally. The presence of a hidden conspiracy is illuminated through sequence in which the facts are presented, and supported by the constituted evidence, anecdotes and utilization of the modes of persuasion. The argument is presented in four sections entitled; “The Evidence”, “The Cover-Up”, “The Witnesses”, and “The Who, Why, and How”. This sequential breakdown coupled with cohesive rhetorical techniques creates an immensely powerful argument.

This paper will open the eyes of many. The truth shall be prevailed and the lies will end. In this literature review there were 10 sources, and these 10 sources talked about conspiracy theories. Theses conspiracy theories also prove 9/11 wrong. There will be hate, denial, patriotism, and revenge for those who died on the September 11th, 2001. It is the right of the free people to find what really happened and the truth is

To most a fairy tale, to some an interesting topic of discussion, however, to a small population, 5 % to be exact, Government conspiracy does exist. How, you might ask, do I intend to prove that indeed government conspiracy is real? I do not intend to prove it. In fact I only intend to inform you of its ever growing ploy of world domination, capitalism and control and open your mind to the idea that government conspiracy is out there. Throughout history as it is known to repeat itself, I will show facts that support this “theory” and dismiss the legendary lies we have been taught to believe through a system known as memetics.

In today's modern world it seems as if all major events have an official story, and another often less credible story pursued by doubters and sceptics of the government or the details in the story. These sceptics are more often than not referred to as conspiracy theorists. The issue that arises with these conspiracy theories is that while some sound over the top ridiculous, some have turned out to be all but true. For this reason, conspiracies are often controversial, they make serious issues into a fairytale, or a simple non-serious event into a serious concerns. These theories are the result of paranoia regardless of their truth, they are often formed on assumptions, absence of information, and fear. For these reasons a conspiracy can be formed around nearly any situation, disaster or event. Conspiracy theories are not just a modern phenomenon either, and they can be found throughout human history, but with today's technology it has become easier than every to spread these ideas around. These ideas propagate due to the culture surrounding the world, and the fear individuals have of the unknown. Many people prefer elaborate stories over simple explanations, especially when they feel their government is behind the event. Misunderstanding, disbelief, denial, fear and human abilities and emotion play into why and how these conspiracy theories emerge. Theories based outside of definite fact, or the accepted explanation has been occurring as far back as history goes. The

Since the dawn of time, humans have fought to discover the truth about the world around us. In spite of the society's opinion or its denial of factual evidence, the strongest among us still prevail with the truth. Those who prevail write conspiracy theories for those who are too weak to do it themselves. In turn, the weak must read these conspiracy theories and become enlightened. In this way, we as a society will finally learn the truth about the biggest, most influential lies that plague our world. The top 4 conspiracy theories that meet this criteria are both eye-opening and life changing. They must not go unacknowledged.

Slightly different approach to conspiracy can be found in the Rough Guide to Conspiracy Theories by James McConnachie and Robin Tuge. They write that:

Conspiracy has been deeply rooted into American culture since before the Constitution. Many Americans still believe that there are secret societies of the elite that exert great influence in not just the American government, but events on an international scale as well. These conspiracy theories appeal to a populist perspective, one that says that there are people much more powerful than the average American and they are knowingly infringing on American liberties, with the goal to either control or harm the country. These supposed conspiracy groups are well known because they have become engrained in America’s culture for hundreds of years; elite groups such as the Illuminati and the Freemasons are known for stirring political anxiety in the early years of the American Republic. Some of this anxiety would be justified early on, but much of it would later prove to be hysteria and paranoia. As those Masonic groups would die down in relevance as the years went on, the paranoia that they created in conspiracy theorist’s minds would be replaced by other branches of secret societies for the elite that were focused on wealth, political power, and globalist visions. Elite invite-only groups, such as the Bilderbergs, the Skull and Bones, and the Bohemian Club are all looked at by some conspiracy theorists as organizing a New World Order that is outside of the public’s eyes.

What is the question being addressed:An example of a conspiracy theory and how it relates to the