Everybody loves a good conspiracy theory. And luckily, there are more conspiracy theories out there than actual historical events. Some are based in fact, while others are delightfully rooted in the absurd. But whether they are popular or fringe, evidence-based or just plain nuts, completely disproved but still endure, one thing remains constant – they are always entertaining.
The Apollo moon landing
Perhaps the most famous conspiracy theory of all, a sizable population believes the Apollo moon landing was a hoax. Though there are many iterations of the theory, most essentially believe that Apollo astronauts did not land on the moon and that NASA colluded with the CIA and other organizations to fake evidence, tapes, and photographs. “Proof” of the hoax comes from identical backgrounds in photos that are miles apart, a lack of stars, implausibly high quality of photos, and hundreds more. Many believe astronauts should not have survived the trip due to exposure to radiation, or that the moon’s surface was too hot during the daytime to survive, even with equipment. And of course, there are still others who believe there is an alien base on the dark side of the moon.
Obama, in general
Although presidents normally have a lot said about them, the number conspiracy theories surrounding Barack Obama are pretty incredible. Just for a sampling, there are many who believe Obama is secretly a Muslim, others that he is the anti-Christ, and still more who think he was trained and groomed by former Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi and sent to the U.S. as a mole (and that Obama’s actions to help Libyan rebels overthrow Qaddafi were merely to cover his tracks). And of course, the famous birth argument, spearheaded by Donald Trump, which claimed that Barack was born in Kenya and had faked his birth certificate.
Israel unleashed racist sharks off the coast of Egypt
After an unusual series of shark attacks off Red Sea beaches in Egypt in December 2010, a theory surfaced that Israeli intelligence agency Mossad was behind it. According to the rumor, agents gathered sharks that had been trained to attack Arabs and threw them into the sea around popular Egyptian vacation spots. Even South Sinai Governor Muhammad Abdel Fadil Shousha claimed they couldn’t rule out the claim, stating that perhaps Israel sought to hit tourism in Egypt (he didn’t necessarily buy the racist shark part, though).
Paul McCartney is dead, Tupac is not
Urban legends abound when it comes to famed Beatle Paul McCartney, especially the one that claims he died in a car crash in 1966 and was replaced by a look-alike. This is backed up by “clues,” such as messages that are revealed when Beatles’ songs are played backwards, or that the famous Abbey Road cover actually represents McCartney’s funeral procession.
Meanwhile, the murder of Tupac Shakur was never solved, and has led to numerous (read: thousands) of theories that he is still alive. Among them, people point to his songs that were released posthumously that supposedly allude to his death, his obsession with the number seven that would lead to his resurrection, or that he was placed in a witness protection program. It is the last theory that has spurred adamant fans to claim they saw Tupac in New Zealand, Cuba, Beverly Hills, and beyond. For clarity’s sake, it is fairly well-proven that Tupac’s appearance at Coachella in 2012 was in fact a hologram.
Alien reptiles are controlling humanity
This theory mainly stems from BBC reporter David Icke, but it has gained a following among those willing to cry conspiracy at pretty much anything. In any case, Icke claims that humanity is controlled by humanoid reptiles from the Alpha Draconis star system who consume human blood to gain the ability to shape-shift into human form. The “evidence” of this claim is too complicated to get into, but it is believed that everyone from George W. Bush and President Obama, to Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal Family, to Nicki Minaj are actually reptoids.
Microsoft’s Wingdings font sends secret messages
The bizarre Wingdings font on Microsoft Windows apparently has no use but to stir up controversy. After it was discovered that NYC in Wingdings translated to a skull and crossbones, Star of David, and thumbs up, it was thought to be a message of approval in killing Jews in New York City. Additionally, Q33NY was rendered as a plane and two pieces of paper that looked like towers, followed by the skull and crossbones and Star of David – many thought this was connected with 9/11 and Microsoft involvement with the terrorists. The company strongly denied this, stating that the symbols were entirely random, and changed the font so that NYC produced an eye, a heart, and a city skyline, i.e. “I Love New York.”
Willy Wonka uses children to make candy
Ah yes, the wonderful world of Wonka actually has a darker side, as some claim that Wonka knew that the children would die in his factory. After child number one, Augustus Gloop, is sucked into the chocolate river tube, the rest of the group boards a boat through the tunnel of doom. But! The boat doesn’t have any extra seats for Augustus and his mother! Later on, as they drive a cream-spewing car through the factory, it only has four seats, following the loss of giant blueberry Violet Beauregarde, “bad egg” Veruca Salt, and teeny tiny Mike Teevee. It’s thought that this was done intentionally by Wonka, as he uses the children to make his candy. Everyone needs a secret ingredient, I guess.
Jay-Z and Beyonce are members of the Illuminati
Some are quick to point out the recurring appearance of Illuminati symbolism in Jay-Z and Beyonce’s music videos, live performances, clothing lines, and more. The triangle hand sign supposedly represents the “all-seeing eye of Horus and the Mark of the Beast,” and theorists believe they are attempting to seduce their followers into the occult by making it hip and trendy. Despite this, it doesn’t seem quite plausible that Jay and Bey feel a significant link to a Bavarian secret society that seeks to control world affairs by masterminding events and planting government agents to establish a New World Order – don’t they already run the world?
The Vatican is the anti-Christ
Believers of this particular theory are limited to fundamental Christian Protestant groups, and it is thought to have been be a reason given by many moving away from Catholicism during the Reformation. Supposedly the Vatican, led by the Pope, is the Antichrist and his only goal is to destroy society by leading people away from the true faith. What’s even more interesting, though, is that there is a more widely-held belief among Catholics that Rome will actually become the seat of the anti-Christ in the future, leading up to final judgement day and the end of times. And on that note…
The end of the world
How many times have people predicted the end of the world? It’s hard to get an accurate read (especially since the man that yells outside my subway stop keeps pushing it back each day), but there have definitely been a few in recent history. Y2K was supposed to destroy technology and thus all of society when the millennium hit in 2000. Harold Camping had the rapture predicted on May 21, 2011 (and then revised it for October 21). The end of the Mayan calendar was supposed to signify the end of the world on December 21, 2012. It’s easy enough to debunk these theories – given that we’re all still around and kicking – but that doesn’t mean people will stop trying to predict the end of times. What’s nice is that whoever eventually gets it right won’t be around to rub it in everyone’s faces.