Conspiracy theorists make me laugh

[Silly Wizard]

Seriously, I don't understand sometimes.

I was talking to one of my friends recently, and he started talking about David Icke, as well as his own theories on the Illuminati's plan for a New World Order. I egged him on with some theories I've heard about the Freemasons, then told him about the Freemason Lodge near our neighborhood. He started to flip, it was hilarious.

(By the way, he sent me this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5ASd2W-v9Y )

So the video reminded me of something similar. I started talking to him about the "theory" about how the world is based on consensus reality, where what we believe is true will end up as reality. Then I followed up with telling him about a group that is trying to control reality and bend it to it's own wishes. I told him the group is called the Awakened.

I wonder how long it'll take him to realize he's been trolled.

[Soterion]

Remind me to tell you some time about my theory that America lost in Indochina because Harry Winston donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian in 1958.

[Silly Wizard]

That ain't theory, man. Real stuff, real stuff...

[308HTR]

Once in high school, my civics teacher derailed a lecture with a 20 minute rant about all sorts weird tinfoil hat nonsense. The worst part was it showed up on a test later in the semester.

[Starscream]

Don't be so silly. The Illuminati don't rule the world.

I do.

That's right, it's been me all along. See, I had an idea a few years back, just as this whole internet thing was getting into swing. I ended up creating a sentient computer virus that infiltrates sites on the web and quietly brings them under my control.

It spreads throughout cyberspace, gaining access to all the information on the internet and growing smarter all the time (I filter out porn and Youtube comments. Those are little help).

The program subtly influences popular culture by using hypnotic cues, causing people to become fascinated with random, meaningless drivel (I call them Memes), all the while exposing them to subconscious indoctrination.

Utmost secrecy is required. Whenever someone figures out what's going on and tries to warn others, the virus simply replaces the text they type with stuff that no one in their right mind would take seriously. For instance on this site, "Morally Justified" threads, and "V's Gender" speculation are actually all desperate attempts to bring my plans to light before my army of cybernetic samurai squirrels can silence the perpetrators.

My own output is automatically censored as well, to make sure that I don't get drunk and blab about my plans. I'd hate for anyone to know about the secret-BELKAR IS CLEARLY CHAOTIC NEUTRAL-ut of a volcano. And that's how I invented rock n roll!

[Don Julio Anejo]

I filter out porn
Wouldn't that automatically disqualify about 97.5% of the internet?

[Ichneumon]

The difficulty obscurantists go through to deny the conspiracies, to deny the truth, which is so obvious, makes me laugh....:smallwink:

Seriously though, I don't think this thread is going to end well.

[Starscream]

Wouldn't that automatically disqualify about 97.5% of the internet?

Indeed, but you try imagining what dealing with a computer program whose knowledge and personality are made up of 97.5% smut would be like.

Probably a little like raising a teenager. I can take over the world, but there are still some tasks I find rather daunting.

[Tricksy Hobbits]

Seriously though, I don't think this thread is going to end well.

Nor do I, it's only a matter of time til someone brings up religion or RL politcs.

Anyway I agree with the Op, conspiracy theorists are a bit hard to take seriously.

Oh, and you might want to ask him how many of his Illuminati ideas hold up to Occam's razor. Or just try and get him to be solipstic, either's good.

[Don Julio Anejo]

Indeed, but you try imagining what dealing with a computer program whose knowledge and personality are made up of 97.5% smut would be like.
I'm guessing the program would act either as a delivery boy, a plumber or a poolboy :amused:

[Killer Angel]

There is no such thing as "conspiracy", citizens. Go back to your fun.

[Emperor Ing]

You should also learn about the stuff the UN's putting in our ground, water, and oxygen. Video. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3qFdbUEq5s) :smalltongue:

[ghost_warlock]

You should also learn about the stuff the UN's putting in our ground, water, and oxygen. Video. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3qFdbUEq5s) :smalltongue:

Not to mention what they're doing to our wildlife (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7r1S6-op8E).

[BisectedBrioche]

That's nothing. I once managed to convince some Republican (as in the US political party, not the definition the rest of the world goes by) that the last unpopular tax was really to be paid to Britain (and that we never lost the war of independence outright. Introducing the constitution as a diversion) to fun our NHS.

I don't normally go for trolling but it's a fond memory.

[Parra]

You should also learn about the stuff the UN's putting in our ground, water, and oxygen. Video. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3qFdbUEq5s) :smalltongue:

that baffles me in so many ways

[hamishspence]

One of the problems with discussing conspiracy theories and theorists, is the "conspiracy" bit- a theory becomes a conspiracy theory when a claim is made that "the evidence for this is being covered up by powerful vested interests"

And the vested interests inevitably seem to end up being describable as political or religious.

Not all such theories are directly so though.

A "science" conspiracy theory would be:

"evolution is a myth drummed up by scientists with an agenda"

a "history" conspiracy theory would be:

"The Man From Stratford was not the primary writer of the Shakespeare plays- other, more powerful figures used him as a front man for their writings. And this is being covered up by Shakespeare scholars with an agenda"

I particularly liked the satire of the cabals that conspiracy theories tend to assume are behind things in The Simpsons- The Stonecutters.

"Who keeps Atlantis off the maps?"
"Who keeps the Martians under wraps?"

:smallbiggrin:

[bluewind95]

I think part of the appeal of conspiracy theories is that they hint at more "interesting" things than our "boring, normal world". They hint at hidden thrills and adventures and mysterious secrets. People like that kind of thing.

"The Illuminati are trying to take over the world!" for example, hints at movie-style adventures a lucky person who "uncovers" the truth can have.

Things like "The Big Bang is a lie!" and "Evolution is a lie!" hint at hidden mysteries. People like mysteries. They're intriguing and finding a solution is very rewarding. That's how science was born, I think.

What I can't get is people who say these theories (As in... "The Big Bang doesn't exist" and "Evolution is a lie") have been scientifically proven. Last I checked, the Big Bang was accepted enough that scientists are spending billions in order to recreate the conditions thought to exist back then...

[hamishspence]

What I can't get is people who say these theories (As in... "The Big Bang doesn't exist" and "Evolution is a lie") have been scientifically proven. Last I checked, the Big Bang was accepted enough that scientists are spending billions in order to recreate the conditions thought to exist back then...

What worries me, is that some of the people claiming "Evolution is a lie" and writing inch-thick books with their "proofs" are medical doctors.

A doctor who doesn't believe in evolution- how do they handle things like viruses growing drug-resistant?

[Anuan]

What worries me, is that some of the people claiming "Evolution is a lie" and writing inch-thick books with their "proofs" are medical doctors.

A doctor who doesn't believe in evolution- how do they handle things like viruses growing drug-resistant?

Lizardmen did it.
Aliumz did it.
Molemen did it.

Take your pick.

I recall there was a...not so much a 'conspiricy' theory but an 'end of conspiricy' theory a few years back that claimed representatives from the Intergalactic Federation of Light were going to appear on the 14th of October, 08 and end all doubt to alien existance, and would corroborate with world leaders to bring out the truth of previous encounters before making Earth part of the IFL and bring us to a golden age of spiritual existance and technological advancement.

...It didn't happen.
Not surprising, but it was interesting to see them give an actual date. Most don't, if it's something in the future (barring ONOES 2012 LAWL).
So they said 'oh, they said they couldn't come. Next year for sure!'

...Didn't happen, again. The blog site that was giving updates on this has been shut down, since.

[valadil]

My GF has a friend from back home who takes his conspiracies pretty seriously. He's got a sizable stockpile of guns and ammo in his basement and spends his weekends carving escape routes through the woods behind his house.

My favorite aspect of his paranoia (and it's my favorite because it's the only aspect that doesn't scare me) is his cell phone. He's taped over the camera because he doesn't want the government watching him. Ok, fine, whatever. But I feel like if you're going to go that far you should at least be consistent about it and tape over the microphone. I'd be far more worried about the government listening to my conversations than looking at the inside of my pocket.

[Starbuck_II]

Granted some are silly, but some Conspiracy Theories turn out right. Recently, a guy got documents showing that Iraq was about oil

I always thought that was just silly. No nation would do that just for oil. But I was wrong.

There is no conspiracy...

[Kobold-Bard]

Granted some are silly, but some Conspiracy Theories turn out right. Recently, a guy got documents showing that Iraq was about oil.

I always thought that was just silly. No nation would do that just for oil. But I was wrong.

Thread Locked.

But while it's still open my favourite conspiracy is that the moon landing never happened. Makes me laugh every time :smallbiggrin:

[Delta]

Granted some are silly, but some Conspiracy Theories turn out right.

That's actually my main problem with most so-called "conspiracy theorists". I like to question things commonly accepted, I always try to get many sides of a topic covered. It's quite obvious that there's a whole lot in world going on that we know nothing about, and that the responsible authorities will never tell us the truth about (isn't that pretty much what intelligence agencies are for?).

But there are so many guys out there taking this to truly ridiculous levels that it's gotten really hard to question the "official story" about any event without being associated with tinfoil hats and people who claim that the earth is hollow and there never were any planes crashing into the WTC.

I like a good conspiracy theory. Open up a history book and you will find tons and tons of examples of actual conspiracies that did happen, and there's no reason to believe that our world should be any different today. But I find the utter lack of common sense many of these people show disturbing, to say the least.

[Telonius]

Thread Locked.

If the thread is locked, it will only be because we were getting too close to the truth!:smallcool:

[Solaris]

*Snip*

Seriously, did you think about that before you posted it?

My favorite conspiracy theory came from my uncle. Something about flourine in the water to cause Alzheimer's as population control.

[chiasaur11]

The Illuminati?

Those has-beens?

We need to worry about MJ-12. I have evidence! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKp0DP1O4bs)

[The Glyphstone]

If the thread is locked, it will only be because we were getting too close to the truth!:smallcool:

Hush, the mods are watching...
fnord
We don't want them to get suspicious...
fnord
Here, drink this lemonade...

[Silly Wizard]

My GF has a friend from back home who takes his conspiracies pretty seriously. He's got a sizable stockpile of guns and ammo in his basement and spends his weekends carving escape routes through the woods behind his house.

My favorite aspect of his paranoia (and it's my favorite because it's the only aspect that doesn't scare me) is his cell phone. He's taped over the camera because he doesn't want the government watching him. Ok, fine, whatever. But I feel like if you're going to go that far you should at least be consistent about it and tape over the microphone. I'd be far more worried about the government listening to my conversations than looking at the inside of my pocket.

Lawl, that reminds me of one of my sister's friends. He's probably one of the stronger people I know, and trains in martial arts, archery, shooting, and is buff as heck. He claims he does all this because of an impending zombie invasion.

[Kobold-Bard]

Lawl, that reminds me of one of my sister's friends. He's probably one of the stronger people I know, and trains in martial arts, archery, shooting, and is buff as heck. He claims he does all this because of an impending zombie invasion.

When, not if. (I know you didn't say if, but shh, it's a conspiracy :smallwink:)

[Silly Wizard]

When, not if. (I know you didn't say if, but shh, it's a conspiracy :smallwink:)

Zombies are pretty dang scary, and I know it's going to be within our lifetimes. Maybe if we can make a huge bunker for the forums? Complete with aquaculture stations to grow our food! We'd never need to leave the bunker. Until we go crazy, that is.

[Castaras]

Dihydrogen monoxide is deadly to humans. Full immersion kills you, humans are addicted from birth irreversibly, and lack of dihydrogen monoxide causes humans to die after mere days.

[Kobold-Bard]

Zombies are pretty dang scary, and I know it's going to be within our lifetimes. Maybe if we can make a huge bunker for the forums? Complete with aquaculture stations to grow our food! We'd never need to leave the bunker. Until we go crazy, that is.

We have D&D. How could we ever get bored enough to go crazy? :smallamused:

Serious note though: I would suggest giving the forum rules another scan. This is the kind of topic that will inevitably move into politics and be locked. For this reason they are not allowed on this forum.

[raitalin]

I'm trying to be really careful here. I've researched various theories and the mentality behind them and its very difficult to have a discussion of any depth without talking about forbidden topics.

Conspiracies are real: 100% real. Legally the Enron collapse involved a conspiracy, the Iran-Contra Scandal had one who's reach is debatable, the '80s US Savings and Loan Scandal had one and the tobacco companies perpetuated one for over half a century.

Conspiracies don't last long: History is littered with conspiracies, both failed and successful, but they almost never last very long. People talk eventually or a power struggle tears it apart or they get caught doing something illegal. A conspiracy lasting more than 50 years is extremely rare.

People in power make decisions without the rest of us knowing about it: I can't elaborate on this per forum rules, but it does not usually constitute a conspiracy.

Based on what I've seen the popular version of conspiracies simply don't exist and the lifespan of conspiracies is either uneventful and longer or short and eventful. If even one of the hundreds of supposed centuries-long conspiracies were exposed it might lend credence to the idea, but this hasn't been the case.

I think people dream up and adopt the more outlandish conspiracy theories because they don't want to take responsibility for their own lives and environment. It's always easier to thing about things as being "someone else's fault" or assume that you're not doing as well as you'd like because some group is trying to prevent you from doing so.

And then theories like supposed alien visitors that jump-started human evolution and provided the technology of Teotihuacan/Egypt/Atlantis try to disregard the ingenuity and perseverance of human beings. Many conspiracy theories are acutely misanthropic, expecting either monumental amounts of greed and pride and/or stupidity and complacency.

I think there's something true behind a lot of theories and many deserve more investigation that they get, but some people have turned the whole thing into a security blanket.

Also this. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c6HsiixFS8)

[King_of_GRiffins]

Lawl, that reminds me of one of my sister's friends. He's probably one of the stronger people I know, and trains in martial arts, archery, shooting, and is buff as heck. He claims he does all this because of an impending zombie invasion.

That's not quite so much a conspiracy as it is a universal truth. It'll happen one day, for sure. Now, the league of dark necromancers fooling society that couch potatoes are really alive and that TV is your friend, well....

[Silly Wizard]

Yeah, it's probably a good idea to just let this thread die. Before someone gets in trouble. You're probably right about it going to end up badly ^_^;;

[Indon]

I think that conspiracy theories are... well, this webcomic (http://www.xkcd.com/258/) sums it up.

I think we could address the problem with psychotherapy.

[WarBrute]

Lawl, that reminds me of one of my sister's friends. He's probably one of the stronger people I know, and trains in martial arts, archery, shooting, and is buff as heck. He claims he does all this because of an impending zombie invasion.

I have an escape route through the forest and into the mountains to where my cousin lives because he is the most well prepared guy for zombie invasion. Guns, ammo, food, Swords, Shields, Chain Armor...

[Tricksy Hobbits]

Dihydrogen monoxide is deadly to humans. Full immersion kills you, humans are addicted from birth irreversibly, and lack of dihydrogen monoxide causes humans to die after mere days.

I see what you did there...

[Joran]

Seriously, did you think about that before you posted it?

My favorite conspiracy theory came from my uncle. Something about flourine in the water to cause Alzheimer's as population control.

Has he ever watched Dr. Strangelove?

I find the moon landing ones the most sad. They're trying to undermine one of the most inspiring moment in human history. Oh well, at least Buzz Aldrin socked one of the leaders.

[Maximum Zersk]

Dihydrogen monoxide is deadly to humans. Full immersion kills you, humans are addicted from birth irreversibly, and lack of dihydrogen monoxide causes humans to die after mere days.

This website explains the problems with it. Here. (http://www.dhmo.org/)
Wonder how many people fell for that
Anyway, conspiracy theories ARE odd, I guess.

Keep away from subjects that aren't allowed people. :smalltongue:

[JonestheSpy]

There's also the theory that the reason there are so many conspiracy theories out here is to drown out the reports of actual evidence of real conspiracies. By planting so many theories out there, from absurd to almost-credible-enough-to-be-real, it just creates a white noise effect. And the next time evidence of an Iran-Contra or Watergate surfaces, people just label it a conspiracy theory and ignore it.

If so, it's a plan that seems to be working.

[PersonMan]

There's also the theory that the reason there are so many conspiracy theories out here is to drown out the reports of actual evidence of real conspiracies. By planting so many theories out there, from absurd to almost-credible-enough-to-be-real, it just creates a white noise effect. And the next time evidence of an Iran-Contra or Watergate surfaces, people just label it a conspiracy theory and ignore it.

If so, it's a plan that seems to be working.

So, the conspiracies are part of a conspiracy to hide the conspiracy in conspiracies?

[Ecks Dee]

Old men, running the world - a new age!


Anyway, did you know that the Earth is getting bigger? And that scientists are conspiring to keep THE FACTS from you? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJfBSc6e7QQ&feature=player_embedded)

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Old men, running the world - a new age!


Anyway, did you know that the Earth is getting bigger? And that scientists are conspiring to keep THE FACTS from you? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJfBSc6e7QQ&feature=player_embedded)

Butbutbutbut, where'd the oceans go? :smalleek:

:smallsigh:

Time for geology 101...

[Crimmy]

My Bio teacher believes that the Lizardmen rule the earth, and that Emiliano Zapata (That dude from that country, in that time of that revolution...) Is alive in Saudi Arabia.

[Innis Cabal]

that Emiliano Zapata (That dude from that country, in that time of that revolution...) Is alive in Saudi Arabia.

And one hundred and thirty one? :smallconfused:

[JonestheSpy]

So, the conspiracies are part of a conspiracy to hide the conspiracy in conspiracies?

That is the theory, yes.



Based on what I've seen the popular version of conspiracies simply don't exist and the lifespan of conspiracies is either uneventful and longer or short and eventful. If even one of the hundreds of supposed centuries-long conspiracies were exposed it might lend credence to the idea, but this hasn't been the case.
Also this. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c6HsiixFS8)

Of course, one could say that such conspiracies HAVE been exposed, but the general population has chosen not to believe said stories - such disbelief naturally encouraged by those being exposed.

[Delta]

If so, it's a plan that seems to be working.

Is it, really? In my opinion, if anything, journalists and media today are trying harder to expose anything that might create sensation than ever before, while at the same time, all the "popular" conspiracy theories like the fake moon landing, 9-11 truthers and so on get hardly any time at all in mainstream media, and if they do, it's just as often to discredit them and then get back to the last "Whatevergate" that's happened.

That doesn't mean the media today would be truly independent or truthful, it's anything but of course, but that doesn't mean they'd pass any opportunity for ratings and profit, and especially in our current social climate, political and economic scandals sell really well.

[Asta Kask]

You may want to listen to this (http://www.yrad.com/cs/) podcast. My favorite is that Denver Airport is a secret base for the reptoids. And Satan.

[Eldan]

Dihydrogen monoxide is deadly to humans. Full immersion kills you, humans are addicted from birth irreversibly, and lack of dihydrogen monoxide causes humans to die after mere days.

You forgot to mention that it's used to cool nuclear reactors, is a major component of acid rain, has been linked to melting polar ice caps and ocean pollution, is a greenhouse gas and is regularly consumed by terrorists.

And yet most countries don't have any laws regulating it's sale and distribution! You can easily acquire it in most places when you know where to look.

[Kobold-Bard]

You forgot to mention that it's used to cool nuclear reactors, is a major component of acid rain, has been linked to melting polar ice caps and ocean pollution, is a greenhouse gas and is regularly consumed by terrorists.

And yet most countries don't have any laws regulating it's sale and distribution! You can easily acquire it in most places when you know where to look.

If you're talking about what I think you then it's also the key ingredient in a massive biological weapon that is slowly killing everyone on Earth.

If it's not then :smallannoyed: :smallconfused:

[Anuan]

If you're talking about what I think you then it's also the key ingredient in a massive biological weapon that is slowly killing everyone on Earth.

If it's not then :smallannoyed: :smallconfused:

Pst. Dihydrogen Monoxide is written as H2O. Might clear it up a bit :smallwink:

[JediSoth]

For a really great summary of most of the major Conspiracy Theories out there, I highly recommend The Skeptics Guide to Conspiracy Theories (http://www.amazon.com/Skeptics-Guide-Conspiracies-Assassination-Controversial/dp/1605501131/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268837435&sr=8-1). It's written by a name we should all find familiar: Monte Cook.

A lot of the theories are quite amusing, but that some people are rabidly serious about things that are scientifically verifiable (like the Moon landings) is a little frightening.

[Indon]

Of course, one could say that such conspiracies HAVE been exposed, but the general population has chosen not to believe said stories - such disbelief naturally encouraged by those being exposed.

Wouldn't a way better approach to that involve silencing WikiLeaks?

But I suppose that's how conspiracies roll.


Pst. Dihydrogen Monoxide is written as H2O. Might clear it up a bit :smallwink:

HOH is also a legitimate method, and arguably more correct. It can also be called Hydrogen Hydroxide, IIRC.

[Kobold-Bard]

Pst. Dihydrogen Monoxide is written as H2O. Might clear it up a bit :smallwink:

Yep, I have a heavy case of teh stupids. God bless failing every science ever.

[Krade]

As far as the world ruling organizations go, I can refute that incredibly easily with just one sentence:

If any one organization was powerful enough to control the entire world, then they would NOT have to do so secretly.

Note that I do not doubt that any of these organizations exist, but I do doubt that they have any real amount of power. The Masons, for example, do have influence. That's a fact. However, I don't believe they have as much as they used to. From what I understand they are now more of an exclusive fraternity of people who help each other out whenever possible.

Edit:
I think that conspiracy theories are... well, this webcomic (http://www.xkcd.com/258/) sums it up.

I think we could address the problem with psychotherapy.I would like to file a bug report.

[Escef]

For a really great summary of most of the major Conspiracy Theories out there, I highly recommend The Skeptics Guide to Conspiracy Theories (http://www.amazon.com/Skeptics-Guide-Conspiracies-Assassination-Controversial/dp/1605501131/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268837435&sr=8-1). It's written by a name we should all find familiar: Monte Cook.

A lot of the theories are quite amusing, but that some people are rabidly serious about things that are scientifically verifiable (like the Moon landings) is a little frightening.

I got a copy of that for my older bro for Christmas because he was constantly spouting 9/11 conspiracy crap. He doesn't do that anymore.

[Yora]

My favorite conspiracy theory is New World Order. Where can I sign up for this organization? This sounds like a really good idea that we should definately pursue.


[...]the Antichrist will either be the president of the European Union or the secretary-general of the United Nations or even a supercomputer.

[Crimmy]

And one hundred and thirty one? :smallconfused:

Shhh. Didn't you know that when you lead a Revolution against a Spanish dictator, you become immortal, as far as age goes?

[chiasaur11]

Shhh. Didn't you know that when you lead a Revolution against a Spanish dictator, you become immortal, as far as age goes?

You can only be killed by a magic bullet, forged by the templars themselves!

Or a jerk with a nanotech laser sword and a GEP gun.

Conspiracies tend to get more explodey around Dentons.

[Raiki]

Well, it (apparently) may not make me popular around here, but I've always thought that the "Lunar Landing Conspiracy" had some merit. I know that there's proof for both sides, but not enough to say with any conclusiveness which side is absolutely in the right. I'm not going to start defending one side or the other because, frankly, you're all correct when you say that conspiracy theorists are ridiculous; I know I'm probably wrong, I just thought I'd mention that not everyone thinks it's total hogwash.

[/devil's advocate]
~R~

[Mathis]

Shhh. Didn't you know that when you lead a Revolution against a Spanish dictator, you become immortal, as far as age goes?

Actually this goes for most revolutionaries. The man known to most as Che Guevara is also still alive. He used to come to this store I worked at a few years back and buy milk every tuesday. The rumours about his death are highly overrated and were spread by ninja pirate zombie robots, WAKE UP PEOPLE!

[Crimmy]

Come on, Mathis, I know you're lying.
Guevara was having dinner in my house last month. He said he was on a trip around the world.

[chiasaur11]

Well, it (apparently) may not make me popular around here, but I've always thought that the "Lunar Landing Conspiracy" had some merit. I know that there's proof for both sides, but not enough to say with any conclusiveness which side is absolutely in the right. I'm not going to start defending one side or the other because, frankly, you're all correct when you say that conspiracy theorists are ridiculous; I know I'm probably wrong, I just thought I'd mention that not everyone thinks it's total hogwash.

[/devil's advocate]
~R~

I really hope you were just devil's advocating there. Moon Landing conspiracy is one of the dumber ones. Seen the Mythbusters on it?

Or considered that the concept would require engineers capable of keeping a secret for decades?

[Silly Wizard]

Not only is the lunar landing a conspiracy, but the moon is a conspiracy! It's not really a separated entity, but it's just the sun when it is off.

EDIT: By the way, I'm surprised this thread hasn't been locked yet. I'm proud of you gaiz. And gals.

[Soterion]

Not only is the lunar landing a conspiracy, but the moon is a conspiracy! It's not really a separated entity, but it's just the sun when it is off.

Have you ever seen the moon and the sun in the same picture? No? We're through the looking glass here, people.

[Crimmy]

I have never seen myself and Einstein on the same photo, either.

Wait... I think I'm doing it wrong.

[Pyrian]

The moon landing conspiracy theory is so bad that the video intended to convince me it was staged instead convinced me it could not have been. :smalltongue: It was painfully obvious that the speaker understood nothing about lighting or atmosphere.

[Tricksy Hobbits]

Have you ever seen the moon and the sun in the same picture? No? We're through the looking glass here, people.

Clicky (http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Moon-during-the-day-moon-689575_1320_887.jpg)

Oops, I broke the looking glass.

And have ye ever seen Sirius, Alpha Centauri, or Polaris in the day. The sun explodes every night, and reforms daily!

[JonestheSpy]

Wouldn't a way better approach to that involve silencing WikiLeaks?


How many people read WikiLeaks? When was the last time you saw wiikileaks cited in a mainstream news article? Why not simply drown out such sources in easily-generated babble, when direct attempts at censorship might be noticed?

[Quincunx]

The best way I've found to deal with the ones whose logic is disengaged is to spew at them a pile higher and deeper than theirs. After all, since their logic centers are fried, they can't disprove you. (May I say that the original post, and Bisected8's U.S./NHS correlation, were magnificent trollings. I doff my lurid St. Patrick's Day hat to you both.)


The moon landing conspiracy theory is so bad that the video intended to convince me it was staged instead convinced me it could not have been. :smalltongue: It was painfully obvious that the speaker understood nothing about lighting or atmosphere.

My husband watches conspiracy videos as a poor substitute for MST3K not being aired any more. Perversely, you need to get the ones which haven't disengaged their reason entirely in order to get the real clangers of illogic. It's too easy to shake your head and think "them peoples are nuts" at the ones who lecture. My favorites are the ones whose arguments are perfectly valid--for a century or two ago--betraying no awareness of the passage of time and changes in law, governance, and society. It's like hearing the philosophers of old come to life! It's like Rip van Winkle awoke and fumbled with this unfamiliar device for the preservation of life-like motion!

[Escef]

How many people read WikiLeaks?

I've used WikiLeaks as a source for National Stock Numbers on items.

[Delta]

I know that there's proof for both sides, but not enough to say with any conclusiveness which side is absolutely in the right.

I'm sorry to say so, but that is simply not true.

I once thought as you do. When I was back in school, I read some stuff about the fake moon landing, and it made a lot of sense to me back then, so I see where you're coming from.

But after four years of physics lessons at university and quite some discussions with professionals who've known about all those arguments for years, I can tell you this: There is no proof at all that the moon landing was fake. Absolutely none. All the so-called "proof" that is presented by the conspiracy theorists can be easily explained, most of it is based on a simple lack of knowledge concerning physics (like why there was no crater on the moon), photography (the apparent "wrong shadows" or why there are no stars on the pictures) or, in the most extreme cases, simple ignorance of correct and known facts (like the intensity of radiation in the Van Allen belt).

Of course, that doesn't mean we actually went to the moon, I can't prove that to you because we haven't been there when it happened. But if there was a fake, it's so good the international science community still can't find a single flaw in it after all those decades, and with all the advances in video technology and other fields, I find that highly unlikely.

[Escef]

I'm not 100% certain, but I'm wagering that there are home made telescopes with enough magnification to see the junk we left on the moon.

[Trazoi]

My favorite aspect of his paranoia (and it's my favorite because it's the only aspect that doesn't scare me) is his cell phone. He's taped over the camera because he doesn't want the government watching him. Ok, fine, whatever. But I feel like if you're going to go that far you should at least be consistent about it and tape over the microphone. I'd be far more worried about the government listening to my conversations than looking at the inside of my pocket.
And it can be used as a tracking device that the phone company can track down to a small area. The camera should be the least of his worries. :smallbiggrin:

[Zeb The Troll]

And it can be used as a tracking device that the phone company can track down to a small area. The camera should be the least of his worries. :smallbiggrin:What kills me about this kind of paranoia is that the person somehow feels that he, out of 300 million Americans, is important enough for the government to randomly turn on his camera/eavesdrop on his call/trace his phone's location just to see if he's anywhere/with anyone/saying anything they should be concerned about. Unless you're working closely with a terrorist organization (in which case they'll find you by collecting intelligence on them, not by randomly coming across you), there's almost no reason for anyone in the government to give a dire rat's hairy backside what you're doing with your phone.

<insert pages of rant about why this sort of thing cannot happen randomly, and is difficult to do even on purpose>

Some people take the movies WAY too seriously. The real world doesn't work like that, folks.

Where's my eyeroll smiley? :smallsigh:

*relevant regulations
Executive Order 12333 (http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/eo12333.htm)
DoD 5240 1-R (http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/dod/d5240_1_r.pdf)
AR 381-10 (http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/army/r381_10.pdf)

[Ravens_cry]

I'm not 100% certain, but I'm wagering that there are home made telescopes with enough magnification to see the junk we left on the moon.
Oh gods, no. There are definite limits to what a telescope can and can not see and even Hubble can't see the 'junk we left on the moon'.
Not even close. (http://www.checktheevidence.com/cms/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=37)
However, LRO, being magnitudes closer, can (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/multimedia/lroimages/lroc_200911109_apollo11.html) You can see three of the four footpads on the LM decent stage, several experiments, and the foot trails left by the astronauts.

[Zeb The Troll]

Oh gods, no. There are definite limits to what a telescope can and can not see and even Hubble can't see the 'junk we left on the moon'.
Not even close. (http://www.checktheevidence.com/cms/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=37)
However, LRO, being magnitudes closer, can (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/multimedia/lroimages/lroc_200911109_apollo11.html) You can see three of the four footpads on the LM decent stage, several experiments, and the foot trails left by the astronauts.Well, of course you can see stuff in pictures from the NASA website. Clearly Photoshopped. :smalltongue:

[Ravens_cry]

Well, of course you can see stuff in pictures from the NASA website. Clearly Photoshopped. :smalltongue:
That has to be proven, not merely asserted. :smallsigh:

[Soterion]

Clicky (http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Moon-during-the-day-moon-689575_1320_887.jpg)

Oops, I broke the looking glass.

And have ye ever seen Sirius, Alpha Centauri, or Polaris in the day. The sun explodes every night, and reforms daily!

I see no sun in that picture. And everyone knows that stars are actually pinholes in the second celestial sphere. :smallwink:

[thubby]

i have had a good laugh at some of the conspiracies, but the NWO one is just so wrong it hurts

[Escef]

*relevant regulations
Executive Order 12333 (http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/eo12333.htm)
DoD 5240 1-R (http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/dod/d5240_1_r.pdf)
AR 381-10 (http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/army/r381_10.pdf)

I see someone knows something about intelligence oversight. :smallsmile:

[Joran]

Well, it (apparently) may not make me popular around here, but I've always thought that the "Lunar Landing Conspiracy" had some merit. I know that there's proof for both sides, but not enough to say with any conclusiveness which side is absolutely in the right. I'm not going to start defending one side or the other because, frankly, you're all correct when you say that conspiracy theorists are ridiculous; I know I'm probably wrong, I just thought I'd mention that not everyone thinks it's total hogwash.

[/devil's advocate]
~R~

Well, the issue with conspiracy theories is they never have "positive proof". They don't have governmental records, no eyewitness accounts, no photographs or physical proof. Instead they rely on innuendo, coincidences, and fantasies to punch holes into the official account to demonstrate a "reasonable doubt" rather than trying to put together a compelling case.

Saying something like "the shadows don't line up!' or "there are no stars!" isn't proof. Proof is a picture of the moon landing set. Proof is one of the major contributors admitting that it was fake. Proof is a governmental document saying "we are faking the moon landing". Proof is going to the moon and showing that the lander isn't there. They have none of this.

P.S. I can definitely say, beyond a reasonable doubt, that something man-made has landed on the moon. During one of the missions, astronauts placed a retroreflector on the moon. Blast a laser beam at the array and you'll get your laser back.

[Escef]

Oh gods, no. There are definite limits to what a telescope can and can not see and even Hubble can't see the 'junk we left on the moon'.
Not even close. (http://www.checktheevidence.com/cms/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=37)
However, LRO, being magnitudes closer, can (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/multimedia/lroimages/lroc_200911109_apollo11.html) You can see three of the four footpads on the LM decent stage, several experiments, and the foot trails left by the astronauts.

I stand corrected.

[Raiki]

@Chiasaur, Delta and Joran.

Yes, I know that we've been to the moon. Yes, my physics classes (finally) convinced me that we even sent people there. Up until about 5 years ago, however, I was a hard-core moon landing conspiracy advocate. Given, at the time I was young and stupid, but that's no excuse. My first post was 1/2 devil's advocating, and 1/2 self mockery. :smallamused:

~R~

[Ravens_cry]

I stand corrected.
Nice to have it acknowledged. Vanishingly rare on these here Interwebs.
For this courtesy, I thank you.

[Pinnacle]

Have you ever seen the moon and the sun in the same picture? No? We're through the looking glass here, people.

Picture? You can see them both at the same time by looking at the sky sometimes. The moon isn't perfectly timed to only come out at night, you know.

[Escef]

Nice to have it acknowledged. Vanishingly rare on these here Interwebs.
For this courtesy, I thank you.

Considering how much of an ass I can be, I choose to at least mitigate it by admitting when I've been proven wrong. :smallbiggrin:

[Zeb The Troll]

That has to be proven, not merely asserted. :smallsigh::smallconfused:

I was making a funny that the source of "proof" that we landed on the moon was from the one Agency most vested in having us believe it instead of some neutral third party.

It was a joke.

:sigh:

[Klose_the_Sith]

It was a joke.

This has to be proven, not merely asserted >.>

(Please don't hit me, I'll apologise and everything)

[Zeb The Troll]

This has to be proven, not merely asserted >.>

(Please don't hit me, I'll apologise and everything):smalltongue::smallcool:

[Froogleyboy]

Y'know, I've never seen much truth in this moon landing stuff.It just dosen't seem possible

[Zeb The Troll]

What part of it seems impossible/implausible? We're still sending people into space. We're still landing those people on the earth when they come back. How is it somehow less reasonable that they could do the same thing on the moon where there's no atmosphere to complicate the landing? Okay, there's some doojahickey about some radiation belt around the planet (Van Allen?) but I don't really understand the wherefores and whatnots of it.

The most credible question I've heard that makes me even wonder for a second is, why haven't we gone back in 38 years? But, while an interesting question, it's hardly enough to make me second guess the validity of the event. (Apparently the reason is cost?)

[Froogleyboy]

What part of it seems impossible/implausible? We're still sending people into space. We're still landing those people on the earth when they come back. How is it somehow less reasonable that they could do the same thing on the moon where there's no atmosphere to complicate the landing? Okay, there's some doojahickey about some radiation belt around the planet (Van Allen?) but I don't really understand the wherefores and whatnots of it.

The most credible question I've heard that makes me even wonder for a second is, why haven't we gone back in 38 years? But, while an interesting question, it's hardly enough to make me second guess the validity of the event. (Apparently the reason is cost?)

one thing, the radiation
another, the flag waves in the videa, is there wind on the moon?
Why haven't other countrys tried this?

[Pyrian]

It's easy to not realize just how far down Earth's gravity well low orbit really is. People think, once you're out of the atmosphere and in space, you're in space, you're in free fall, you just need a gentle push to get started and then wait a bit to get whereever you want. But the reality is that you can't just coast from low orbit to the moon. It's something like 4 times the thrust required to get into space, to reach the moon, IIRC. Getting to low earth orbit is really just starting to climb out of Earth's gravity well.

EDIT: The radiation is well characterized and sub-lethal - albeit not really good for you, either.
The infamous flag wave is just the guy trying to set it.
Let me draw your attention, instead, to the buggy ride. Note that it kicks up a lot of dirt and dust. Note that this dirt and dust follows a nearly perfect parabolic arc. Note that there is absolutely no billowing whatsoever, no dust clouds, no atmospheric effects can be detected at all. Compare that to any video of off-road activity on Earth. Simply put, that footage could not have been taken in an atmosphere, and a vacuum chamber of that size could not have been engineered without obvious massive support columns.

[Zeb The Troll]

one thing, the radiation
another, the flag waves in the videa, is there wind on the moon?
Why haven't other countrys tried this?Mythbusters (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMBCfuKs9i8) addressed the flag waving. Basically, the lack of atmosphere, and therefore any kind of resistance to the large surface area, meant that there was nothing to slow the waving caused by the astronauts wiggling the post into the surface.
Other countries have tried. Why do you think it was called the Space Race? The Soviet Union was actually the first in space and also the first to land an unmanned craft on the surface of the moon. They just never managed to land a cosmonaut there.
Which brings up another point: if it were so obviously impossible, doesn't it seem likely that the USSR would have raised a big "This is not possible" flag of their own during the Cold War?

[Froogleyboy]

Never thought of it that way. Well, I'm not saying that it's faked, I'm just saying I've never believed in it. But I guess it happened :)

[Fri]

Y'know, I've never seen much truth in this moon landing stuff.It just dosen't seem possible

good god http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing_hoax there
just click and read that. Go to the photographs and films part if you're interested in that. Or is that too long? or wikipedia is part of the conspiracy?

sorry. seriously, moon landing hoax is one of my personal button.

[thubby]

kill the conspiracy theory, kill it with knowledge!

[Serpentine]

It's not quite a conspiracy theory, but... Von Daniken rawks :biggrin:

For those who aren't familiar with him, his theories can be summaries thusly: every great human accomplishment in history, aliums dunnit.

[Delta]

Okay, there's some doojahickey about some radiation belt around the planet (Van Allen?) but I don't really understand the wherefores and whatnots of it.

I do understand them and I can tell you it's actually surprisingly simple: The conspiracy theorists are wrong. Either they get their numbers wrong (you can find numbers about the strength of radiation in the Van Allen belt in pretty much every good book about astrophysics, but for some reasons, some of the moon landing fake sites have completely different numbers, without giving any source for it) or they simply ignoring them (sometimes they DO give the correct numbers and claim that a human being cannot survive travelling through such radiation without citing any evidence, while there is actually overwhelming experimental proof to the contrary.

To make it simple: Travelling through the Van Allen belt is not completely safe. But it's not lethal either. The chances that someone travelling through the belt will get cancer later on will be definitely higher than average, but then, I guess that's a risk they were willing to take.


The most credible question I've heard that makes me even wonder for a second is, why haven't we gone back in 38 years? But, while an interesting question, it's hardly enough to make me second guess the validity of the event. (Apparently the reason is cost?)

Cost is actually a pretty good reason, or better cost effectiveness. There's not much of a reason to put a human up there, because it's an awful lot more expensive than to simply send a machine, and there's not much that a man could do up there that a machine couldn't. It'll be just the same with Mars, if we ever send a man up there, it'll be more to prove the point that it can be done and for prestige rather than for researching the planet, because our current automated Mars missions can do that pretty fine as is.

[Raiki]

It's not quite a conspiracy theory, but... Von Daniken rawks :biggrin:

For those who aren't familiar with him, his theories can be summaries thusly: every great human accomplishment in history, aliums dunnit.

I was absolutely obsessed with EVD when I was younger (actually, at about the same time I legitimately thought the moon landing was faked). Even if he is a crazy hack, you have to give him points for flair; He sure knows how to grab and hold onto the average 13 year old mind. :smallbiggrin:

~R~

[bibliophile]

Let's not forget the international communist conspiracy to sap and impurify our precious bodily fluids!

[Surrealistik]

If the thread is locked, it will only be because we were getting too close to the truth!:smallcool:

It's pretty obvious that Roland is a loyal pawn of his shadowy Illuminati masters.

[PersonMan]

It's pretty obvious that Roland is a loyal pawn of his shadowy Illuminati masters.

Shhhh! We don't want them to know how close we are to the truth before we can gather grainy photos and 1.5 second video clips, along with some out-of-context quotes to go along with them!

[Froogleyboy]

It's pretty obvious that Roland is a loyal pawn of his shadowy Illuminati masters.
That's perpostorous
Damn, he knows too much! He must be eliminated

[chiasaur11]

That's perpostorous
Damn, he knows too much! He must be eliminated

Yeah. Ridiculous.

He's obviously an outgrowth of MJ-12's Helios project!

[Eldan]

Why haven't other countrys tried this?

I'd say because, basically, it's a gigantic money sink without any large benefits to make up for it. Why fly to the moon? Nothing there that's worth taking back, really, now that we've been there once. And the US already got the propaganda part.

[SurlySeraph]

I love conspiracy theories. The most egregiously silly ones are my favorites. For example:
*Many world leaders are shape-shifting vampiric alien reptiles descended from Sumerian high priests (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Icke#Reptilians_and_shape-shifting)
*The British Royal Family controls the world economy (http://groups.google.com/group/total_truth_sciences/browse_thread/thread/e949ee979480e585/da0d85ab7e70af10?pli=1)
*Silent flying things in the sky with lights arranged in the same configuration as the lights on commercial airliners are alien spacecraft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_triangle_%28UFO%29)
*Aircraft contrails are poison... poison that controls your miiiiiiind! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemtrail_conspiracy_theory)

But I also enjoy the semi-plausible ones, most of which border on politics and many of which are old. The actually-apparently-true ones, like the Business Plot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Plot), are fascinating in the insight they give you into how difficult it would be to actually run a world-dominating conspiracy. Most actual conspiracies have been short-lived, focused on a highly specific goal, and not necessarily very successful. And they can come undone very quickly by simple, stupid mistakes. David Wong, the administrator of Cracked.com, wrote a great piece on how difficult it would be to pull off a conspiracy here (http://www.cracked.com/article_15740_was-911-inside-job.html).

Conspiracy theories that receive mass attention and widespread credence, such as the 9/11 theories and those promulgated by a certain TV personality whose name (to avoid political discussion) rhymes with "Pen Wreck" are also entertaining, if often a bit worrying.

Now excuse me, if I make this post any longer the NSA will be able to trace my location with the HAARP and silence me with the internet-activated nanomachines hidden in my computer. And if I get caught in such an obvious trap, the Illuminati will never let me join.
*goes back to lurking off-site*

[Serpentine]

HORLY CARP YOUSE GUISE! **** JUST GOT REAL! I bought this totally legit magazine today, called "New Dawn". MY EYES HAVE BEEN OPENED. I mean, just read these hard-hitting cover headlines:
"The Illuminati & The New World Order"
"Truth About the Knights Templar"
"Freemasonry's Secret Science"
"Occult Origins of America"
"Mysterious Dr. John Dee: Englands Original 007" (he has a scrying device)
"Chinese Secret Societies & Hidden Paths of Power"
"Freemasonry & the Dark Underside" (why's Freemasonry so special then eh?)
"PERFIDIOUS ALBION: Secret History of the British Empire"

[zeratul]

This thread appears to be in dire need of this song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pm5go6mVqwU).:smalltongue:

Stupid conspiracy theories can be pretty hilarious, especially the ones that are just completely ridiculous and couldn't have any negative side effects if people believed them. Then there's the weird stuff that lots of people actually believe like flat earth society. If you want to Laugh and then feel really depressed about the state of some of your fellow humans intellects, go check out the flat earth society website.

[Sequinox]

Thread Locked.

But while it's still open my favourite conspiracy is that the moon landing never happened. Makes me laugh every time :smallbiggrin:

Wow... Just wow.

Everybody knows the moon landing didn't happen. It was totally filmed on a soundstage on Mars. :smallbiggrin:

[Kallisti]

...oh, yes. Laugh. That's what they want. If you're laughing, you're probably not on fire, and you know what that means?

It means the ninjas can catch you...


EDIT:

It's pretty obvious that Roland is a loyal pawn of his shadowy Illuminati masters.

So that's who built that mind cont~There is no mind control, citizen. Go back to your fun.~

This is all so silly. There is no mind control. I will go back to my fun.

[Manga Shoggoth]

Well, if you want proof of how the Moon Landings were fabricated, this site (http://www.stuffucanuse.com/fake_moon_landings/moon_landings.htm) goes into some detail.

I grew up on the Clangers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clangers), and found this page hilarious (especially because I could remember the episode the stills were taken from).

My only regret is that they have never repeated the General Election special. Man, did that put politics into perspective for me (I was 10 at the time...).