How can we reconcile the sense that recent conspiracy theories can appear – to put not too fine a point on it – crazy, and clear evidence that they have had a broad, if often transient, appeal? Since 9/11, a succession of conspiracy theories have alleged that major incidents like the Aurora cinema shooting, the […]
Spotted in the media this week by the research team, the following story in The Guardian. http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/nov/13/philae-comet-lander-alien-cover-up-conspiracy-theories-emerge
A public talk by Dr Michael Hagemeister (Ruhr-Universität Bochum) with a response from Dr Reinhard Markner (Universität Innsbruck). Investigations into the origin and early history of the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” often lead to the border between fiction (or mystification) and historical fact. Furthermore, one can observe how this border is crossed: […]
This talk explored Mark Twain’s perspective on conspiracy theory in late-nineteenth century America. In Twain’s time, public attitudes towards conspiracy theory went through a somewhat unusual change. Namely, conspiracy theory was becoming increasingly identified with amusement and entertainment. Figures such as Josiah Strong and Ignatius Donnelly drew enormous crowds and sold bestselling books by offering […]
It’s the archetype of a conspiracy, complete with oaths of secrecy, a smoky room, and an agreement to commit treason. But, in the words of this BBC article, Was Guy Fawkes a Fall Guy? Take care to read past the first dozen or so paragraphs, where you will find that the answer, according to Cambridge […]