Dark Secrets: But conspiracy theorists maintain that the moon

landings never actually happened. At the time, America

Conspiracy Theories was involved in the ‘space race’: an unofficial contest

with the USSR (now Russia) to see who could put a
From the beginning of time, people have kept man on the moon first. The theory goes that time
secrets. Sometimes, they may be small and was running out, and America realised they would
insignificant, but occasionally, they are on a never be able to achieve a moon landing, so instead
massive scale, involving thousands, if not millions they hired a studio in Hollywood and faked the whole
of people. These are conspiracy theories. thing. Theorists believe that the photographs from
Conspiracy theorists believe that the official the mission give the game away – the shadows are
version of events given to the public is often not wrong, the American flag is waving when there is no
the truth: they think that people in power are lying wind, and no stars can be seen in the sky. Of course,
or covering up facts, in order to manipulate or scientists have countered all these points, and no-
control the population. Conspiracy theories range one has so far been able to explain how the American
from being about relatively small occurrences, to government would have been able to keep such a
large, world-changing events. Some people make massive conspiracy under wraps!
a living out of investigating conspiracy theories,
writing books and articles about their research
into them.
The key element of a conspiracy theory is that it
cannot be proved. Often, conspiracy theories are
outlandish and sometimes even ridiculous. They
lack concrete evidence and are often born out of
rumour or speculation.

The Moon Landings

Perhaps the most famous conspiracy theory of all
concerns the moon landings. In 1969, astronauts
Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong landed the spacecraft
Apollo 11 on the moon. Footage and photos from their
mission were broadcast around the world; it was the
first time that man had walked on the moon. A photograph from the Apollo 11 moon landing.

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The Flat Earth This theory sits hand-in-hand with the moon landings
Space seems to be a popular focus for conspiracy conspiracy, as theorists believe the photographs from
theorists. Another theory which is gaining considerable the moon landing must be faked, as they show a
traction in the 21st century, is that the earth is not, in spherical earth. Flat earthers believe that NASA is at the
fact, round. A surprising number of people are starting heart of this conspiracy, and is lying to people.
to believe that the earth is a flat circle with the Arctic in It’s not entirely clear what theorists believe motivates
the centre. Around the outside of the circle is a 150ft this supposed conspiracy. General distrust of science
wall of ice, which stops people falling off into space. is certainly a factor.
The basis for this theory seems to be that the earth
looks flat – we can’t generally see a curve when we look
The Missing Popstars
at the horizon – and therefore it must be flat.
The idea that a famous popstar is actually dead and
has been replaced by a clone is a surprisingly tenacious
one. Quite a few singers have fallen foul of this theory,
including Avril Lavigne, a pop star who emerged on the
music scene in 2002 with her album Let It Go. Featuring
probably her most well-known single, Complicated, Let
It Go had a skater-grunge-pop vibe which made it an
instant hit. However, there were rumours that Lavigne
didn’t cope well with her new-found fame. She was so
overwhelmed by the publicity, the story goes, that her
record company hired a lookalike, an actress called
Melissa, to make appearances as the singer.
It already sounds pretty outlandish, but things were
about to become even more sinister… in 2011, rumours Avril Lavigne - or is it Melissa?
started circulating on the internet that Lavigne was As with all conspiracy theories, the evidence was shaky,
no longer Lavigne at all. It was claimed that she had at best. Fans compared images of Avril pre- and post-
died in 2003, and been replaced full-time by Melissa. 2003, claiming her jaw line is different, her eyes, her
The reason for this elaborate switch? Some claimed make-up – even her handwriting! The rumours became
Lavigne’s record company killed her off, others said she so persistent that in 2018 Lavigne responded to them,
An image showing how flat earth had died in an accident. saying there was no truth at all behind them. But then,
conspiracy theorists view the world. if she is really Melissa, fans argued, she would say that…
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Beatles megastar Paul McCartney is another musician
who has been targeted by conspiracy theorists. Some The Sinister Airport
fans believe that the pop star died in a car accident in Opened in 1995, Denver International Airport is at
1966, and was replaced by a man who had won a Paul the centre of a whole host of conspiracy theories.
McCartney lookalike contest, called William Shears. To The third largest airport in the world, the building
fuel the theory, there is a reference to Billy Shears on cost $4.8bn and finally opened after several delays.
the Beatles’ seminal album, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Its features include a large underground network
Club Band. The rumour continues to this day, with fans that was originally conceived as a computerised
citing lyrics from Beatles songs, and even playing the baggage system 26 miles long. But, despite the
records backwards, to find ‘evidence’ for their claims. best efforts of the best engineers, the system
wouldn’t work, and is now abandoned. Some
believe that this massive underground space is
actually a shelter for world leaders, should an
apocalypse occur.
The airport also boasts some very strange works
of art. One painting features a soldier in a gas
mask brandishing a gun and stabbing a dove,
while another features a child in a funeral casket,
The Blue Mustang, nicknamed Blucifer,
while other children flee a forest fire – supposedly
at Denver International Airport.
showing a world out of sync with nature. But possibly
the most celebrated of the airport’s artworks is a Perhaps the strangest feature of all, though, is a
32-foot high blue horse with red glowing eyes, stone plaque in the airport which features Masonic
nicknamed Blucifer. This sinister sculpture has a symbols and which references the New World
troubled history: a piece fell off while it was being Airport Commission. So what’s the problem with
created and hit the artist, severing an artery and that? Well, there doesn’t seem to be any such thing.
resulting in him bleeding to death. Journalists have researched, and no New World
Airport Commission has ever been found. Although
Viewed from above, the airport has a strange layout.
conspiracy theorists believe there is such a thing
Its runways are at odd angles, and some claim this
as the New World Order… Could the airport
has been done deliberately to create the shape of
actually have been built by a group intent on taking
the Nazi swastika.
over the world?
Paul McCartney or William Shears?
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The New World Order race of alien reptiles who can shape-shift into human fired was more than police claimed, and that the angle
Broadly speaking, a new world order is simply a time form and control humanity. Among this race, known as of the shot did not appear to come from where Oswald
when there is a significant shift in policy or political the Babylonian Brotherhood, he lists several American was positioned. Theories that the assassination was a
thought in the world. For example, at the end of the presidents and members of the British royal family. conspiracy started to circulate.
Second World War, when leaders tried to put measures To add fuel to the flames of the conspiracy, Oswald
into place to reduce the potential for further conflicts. was shot dead two days later while in police custody.
However, the term new world order has also been Nightclub owner Jack Ruby was convicted of his
appropriated by conspiracy theorists, to describe murder; Ruby had apparently shot Oswald to spare
secret plans to take over the world. Mrs Kennedy the agony of a trial. Oswald had not
Many conspiracy theorists believe that Freemasons confessed to the assassination before he was murdered;
are an example of a group trying to establish a new indeed, he claimed he was being scapegoated and was
world order. Freemasonry is a male-only secret society, not responsible.
where members meet in ‘Lodges’. It is not known Since then, polls have shown that the majority of
exactly what takes place in the Lodges, as Freemasonry Americans do not believe the official version of events
can be secretive, but it is known that there is quite a – they think there has been a conspiracy to cover up
large element of ritual, with special symbols, clothing the truth behind the assassination. Some blame the
and ceremonies involved. Masons have their own Russians, some blame the CIA, some blame the Mafia:
handshake, so they can recognise other Masons but no-one has ever proved any of these theories.
Conspiracy theorist, David Icke.
without explicitly stating their membership. Because
the organisation is clandestine, some believe that it is
The Assassination of JFK
an elitist network, with members sitting in positions of
On November 22nd, 1963, John F Kennedy, the
power around the globe.
35th President of the United States of America, was
Another example of a new world order according to assassinated. The president had been riding in an
conspiracy theorists is the Illuminati – a secretive group open-topped car beside his wife, Jacqueline, in a
of powerful people intent on taking over the world. presidential motorcade through Dallas when he was
There are many different theories centring around the shot in the head. Just over an hour later, Lee Harvey
idea that these people have insinuated themselves into Oswald, a former marine was arrested for his murder.
positions of power, and that they control world events.
The assassination of Kennedy sent shock waves
One famous proponent of this theory is David Icke, a
throughout the world. The moment of the assassination
former professional footballer who announced in the
was caught on film, and recordings were played over
1980s that he believed the world was controlled by a President Kennedy and his wife in the
and over again. People said that the number of shots motorcade, minutes before he was assassinated.
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