The beginning of the second millennium has witnessed a resurgence of conspiracy theory narratives, especially after the 9/11 terror attacks. According to Mark Fenster, “The conspiracy narrative is compelling in its rapid, global movement, its focus on the actions of both the perpetrators of the evil conspiracy and the defenders of the moral order, and its attempt to explain a wide range of seemingly disparate past and present events and structures within a relatively coherent framework.” (119) However, the popularity of conspiracy narratives cannot be simply relegated to it being an offshoot of a current complicated and perturbed political discourse prevalent worldwide. The phenomenon of conspiracy is as old as history, and literature has …show more content…
Hence, this paper will focus more on the how rather than the why; it will attempt to analyze the technical rituals of a narrative mode that has enjoyed outstanding popularity. According to Uscinski and Parent, a conspiracy theory is defined by four characteristics: “1) a group 2) acting in secret 3) to alter institutions, usurp power, hide truth or gain utility 4) at the expense of common good.” (Michael Shermer, Scientific American, ‘Why do people believe in conspiracy Theory’ Nov.18, 2014) In effect, conspiracy narrative focuses on secret acquisition of knowledge or information, and the manipulation of this knowledge by a clique to exercise power through intrigue. Conspiracy theory offers a narrative structuring of events and information through ‘a Manichean framework’, that “provides compelling explanations for otherwise confusing or ambiguous events”. (Fenster, 1999) Literature has proved to be an ideal receptacle of the ethical encounter between good and evil. Part of its seductive tactics is that the conspiracy narrative relates every single detail to a subterranean plot. As Oliver explains, “the proclivity to make causal attributions of salient phenomena to unseen forces and an attraction to Manichean political narratives – will explain why many otherwise ordinary …show more content…
Both works enjoyed massive success and were best sellers. In choosing two works from opposite sides of the globe, one American and the other Egyptian, consolidates the universality of the conspiracy concept. The fact that the two texts belong to different genres, as Brown’s book is a work of fiction – a thriller – while Al-Kherbawy’s is more of a semi-autobiographical chronicle, only accentuates the common framework of conspiracy narratives. As Fenster points out: conspiracy narratives do not constitute an independent, distinct type since their narrative backbone is inherent in many literary genres.
Conspiracy theories are entertaining for many to speculate and demand a great deal of thought to constitute. A conspiracy theory is defined as the idea that many important political, economic, and social trends are the products of secret plots that are largely unknown to the general public (“The Definition of Conspiracy Theory”). Many conspiracy theories are thought up around children’s shows, which offers a feeling of nostalgia and pleasure. A few children’s show conspiracies that need a deeper light shone on them are from Max & Ruby (2002-2013), Winnie the Pooh (1977), Rugrats (1990-2004), and All Grown Up (2003-2008).
The day that President Kennedy was assassinated, people started to view the world differently. His death was the first time that a conspiracy theory transformed into a conceivable form of knowledge among the general public. "It was because of Kennedy's death in Dallas that the conspiracy theory was born" (Wensley). It started with an article written ...
The legend of Santa Claus can be the lure to which mankind falls into a ploy of conspiracy that may fortify a manipulative mindset and devious conduct in people. It is up to the reader to ultimately decide how they feel about this article. This article analyses one conspiracy, but what about other conspiracies that are similar. Taking Mocks article under consideration and everything he talks about can open up a new perspective. This editorial is a good example of how conspiracy theorist can charm to readers through persuasion. When reading similar pieces readers should be aware of how the author lures them in.
The diverse perspectives displayed by Oliver Stone in JFK are implemented to hinder blind following from lack of knowledge. The facts uncovered in Stone’s film work towards a common goal— a conspiracy taking place. By emphasizing this point, he provided another believable option. Although the surroundedness of bandwagon advertising and peer pressure may never cease, blind following from ignorance is severable.
The official story of 9/11 is a conspiracy theory in that the government claims 19 hijackers conspired together to hijack four planes and create terror in the world. Four American airplanes were hijacked; two were driven into the World Trade Centers and the third airplane into the Pentagon. The fourth airplane suspected target was the White House, but it was diverted by the brave men and women aboard that hijacked airplane, and crashed the airline jet before it could reach its target. It was like time stood still as America watched through television broadcast these unbelievable and horrifying events taking place. The reports told of the smell the jet fuel, burning flesh, and people jumping out windows to their death to escape the flames. When the two bravura structures tumbling down, rescuers, (police officers, firefighters, and ambulance drivers and techs) were caught in the mast and lost their lives doing their job trying to save lives.
When it comes to conspiracy theories there is a wide variety of them, but few people try to explain their appeal as thoroughly as the author Maggie Koerth-Baker through her article “Why Rational People Buy into Conspiracy Theories.” The author’s paper starts by talking about the incident at the Boston Marathon and how, even though one of the brothers had been arrested, there were still theories being created in order to explain the possible events and motives behind the attack. It is explained that the best way to determine someone’s belief in a theory is if they believe in other theories due to the fact that a conspiracy theory isn’t so much a response to a single event as it is an expression of an overarching worldview (Koerth-Baker 343).
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 distinguishing a warranted conspiracy theory from an unwarranted conspiracy theory (UCT). Keely expands upon section III in section IV, by introducing falsifiability and skepticism and giving a deeper analysis on the difficulties of UCTs. In section V, he discusses the issues raised and the implication of their popularity. A brief conclusion is given is section VI, in which he discusses the morals that should be taken away from the essay.
In researching this and many other conspiracy theories, one can see many uses of sensationalism, mainly by the media. This media- the news (local and national), magazines, tabloids, television shows, movies, and so on- has a huge e...
[2] My analysis primarily focuses on Stone’s film Nixon, but it is noteworthy to mention JFK, since both films were embroiled in heated debates regarding historical authenticity and artistic license. In JFK, Stone pieces together several conspiracy theories as to who was responsible for President Kennedy’s assassination from “real” primary texts, news footage, ear and eye witnesses, and the Zapruder film, among others. In Nixon, Stone uses similar techniques to posit equally troubling theses: the first that Nixon, while Vice President, was involved in a plot to assassinate Fidel Castro, and, second, that Nixon was directly or inadvertently responsible for the deaths of John and Robert Kennedy. Stone elects to create scenes and embellish information but defends his mixing of fact and speculation: “Of course, there’s license and speculation, but they are based on reasonable assumptions which we’ve discussed with highly reliable technical advisers who lived through the history we’re recounting in the film” (Monsel 206).
Olmsted presented research that gives the reader a new view of history. Real Enemies is a compelling book that answers a question; how far will our government, a political party, politician, or influential person go to carry out their agenda? This accomplished historian sheds light on this dark topic in our country’s political history. Olmsted reviewed events from World War I to 9/11 with examples and facts from well-known and reliable sources. She presented an argument showing how real evidence has influenced conspiracy thoughts over the years.
Conspiracy hypotheses are extremely intriguing because they permit individuals to consider unheard of options and analysis with numerous fortuitous events, changing the way individuals see well know occasion and a few different parts in life as more than only a happenstance. Conspiracy can have a noteworthy effect on society that hence prompt musings changing the sentiment with respect to convictions. In any case, I for on trust that these speculations can induce individuals into thinking and believing anything, since anyone can unite any two arbitrary facts or things together, as long as they have something in like manner. In the Ted Talk show, the moderator additionally appears to demonstrate this
One of the most debated and controversial topics in American History is the assassination of John F. Kennedy. JFK was one of the most loved presidents of our time. One article of his death wrote, "The day the country weeped"(John). The JFK assassination is filled with many conspiracy theories that cannot be proven to be exact facts. Such theories include a Government cover-up”CIA”, Mafia influence, The Illuminati, and Gay Thrill Kill Theory. The idea that lone mind, Lee Harvey Oswald, plotting to kill President Kennedy is too simple to believe. There’s No way that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, in the eyes of scholars today. Even with the growing number of bogus and garbage theories, there are a number of logical theories that do make a lot of sense when you think about them closely. In this paper, I will discuss a couple of the conspiracy theories that are out there and are published for the public to read.
Conspiracy theories are brought about when people believe that there is something being covered up that could influence their lives or the lives of the human race. However, most people don’t believe in a ‘conspiracy theory’ because in our culture, we believe in the freedom of information. We are aware of what is happening around us and, although we very indirectly control what is happening, we do have the intelligence and freedom to react to the event. In Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, the World State doesn’t allow this freedom of information and suppresses anything that would make humans more aware of their pre-determined lives. Huxley portrays soma, alcohol in blood surrogates, and the suppression of old texts in an ironic tone to support the theme of the deterioration of human awareness in Brave New World.
...s she believes in. Subscribing to one theory results in a new thread to follow, until she wonders if there is any meaning at all and if this search will ever end. Similarly, in a close reading of the novel, readers also travel this journey, a journey in which readers experience the irrationality and disorientation that comes with conspiracies. The characteristics Keeley describes in his article are reflected in Pynchon’s novel, suggesting to readers to proceed with caution when faced with conspiracy theories.
Since the beginning of settled civilizations, people have had more mutual sharings than ever before. By the same token, there have been some conspiracy theories that are usually against the culturally accepted beliefs of religions, science and society. A conspiracy theory can be described so differently. However, as in his text, Marshall Brain explicates, a conspiracy is generally defined as a theory seeking to explain a disputed case or matter as a plot by a secret group or alliance rather than an individual or isolated act (Brain). Especially, after the new media has become quite popular, more and more conspiracies are theorized every single day, which aim to catch society’s attention via such media tools as the internet, journals and newspapers. Thus, people who theorize those conspiracies tend to use such objects as spiritual and mysterious ones in order to interest people. To illustrate, many examples can be given. For instance, many people have claimed that they were abducted by aliens, although they could show no evidences. Here, a citation from Blackmore could facilitate to understand the circumstance better. She states that people occasionally claim that they have been abducted from public places by aliens, in this case that may provide them with witnesses and affirmations but no evidence could be shown so far (Blackmore). As it is well known, only a small number of people believe such alien abductions, however, rating of this kind of news is quite high on media, because humankind has been wondering if there are extraterrestrial creatures out of the earth. Another example can be conspiracy theories which are about the origins of religions such as the rejection of Jesus Christ. There are some people who pay attention to...