Most Plausible Conspiracy Theories

[Stormaen]

I'm not one to go in for conspiracy theories. Personally, I think most conspiracy theories are the product of overactive imaginations or because some people want them to exist so see evidence where there is none or suffer confirmation bias.

For example, I don't think the moon landings were faked, I don't think 9/11 or 7/7 were inside jobs or "allowed to happen" (I think they were both gross negligence) and I do think Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone (although, I think everyone – including me – is open to the idea that he didn't).

However, this thread isn't about whether or not conspiracy theories are real – it's about which conspiracy theories are plausible; which have a premise, a motive and a means behind them. For example, of particular intrigue even to me:

Moscow bombings, 1999 – Nearly 300 people died after Chechen terrorists planted bombs all over Moscow; some bringing down entire apartment buildings. Evidence? Well, most (if not all) conspiracy theories fall down here but consider this: the Chechen terrorists supposedly responsible didn't claim credit. Not in itself unusual until you consider other terrorist attacks not only on Russia but the world over. Secondly, a prominent journalist investigating the attacks was – admittedly, not that unusual for Russia – murdered. Lastly – and, I believe, most crucially – Alexander Litvinenko. Litvinenko, you may recall, was (in)famously assassinated in 2006 when he was poisoned with plutonium-210 after meeting with two former KGB agents (one of whom is now a successful businessman in Russia and a prominent supporter of Putin). Litvinenko was a former high-ranking FSB agent. He had previously stated that the Moscow bombings were a false flag attack and an excuse for the Russian government to begin its heavy-handed crackdown on Chechen rebels and, more lasting, to bring Vladimir Putin to power.


So, NSG, what do you think are some plausible conspiracy theories?

[Imperium Sidhicum]

In my view, the most plausible conspiracy is one of a small super-rich elite controlling the world from behind the scenes, a la Illuminati.

Considering how almost 90% of the world's wealth are controlled by only around 300 companies with thousands of sub-companies, and each of these companies has one or a few owners, it wouldn't at all be too far-fetched to assume that these people know each other well and form a cartel to impose their will upon the world for their personal benefit.

[Terrordome]

Not really a conspiracy but I think it's possible that George Mallory summited everest before he died on the way down making him the first human up there well before Edmund Hillary and Tenzig Norgay.

They at least haven't definitively proved he didn't.

[Arkotania]

The problem I see with conspiracy theories is often ignoring the uncertainty of reality, and ignoring the multitude of people that would have to involved to accomplish certain conspiracies. While small-scale conspiracies can be possible, and have actually existed(like the CIA MKUltra), Large-scale conspiracies are near impossible. The degree of secrecy and deception required are opposed by the number of people required to actually achieve the intended goal.

And we must never forget the randomness of human nature. A stoic and cold businessman may suddenly "come to" and realize his sins. Perhaps he found religion, perhaps he found love, perhaps he tripped and hit his head, perhaps he simply saw or remembered something that struck a chord.

I find people who resort to belief in a global conspiracy of "power elite guiding the world" are making excuses. Just as we once attributed natural occurences to a deity's supernatural powers, believing that a small group of people can actually control the unpredictable and uncertain actions of billions without the thousands that work for them figuring out what's going on, is just superstition.

[Manisdog]

I don't know if this is true but somebody once told me there is a certain tribe in the British isles that has sexual relations with sheep, this is the funniest one, I don't know the name of these people.

Diana could have been murdered.

They allowed pearl harbor to happen

[Stormaen]

The problem I see with conspiracy theories is often ignoring the uncertainty of reality, and ignoring the multitude of people that would have to involved to accomplish certain conspiracies. While small-scale conspiracies can be possible, and have actually existed(like the CIA MKUltra), Large-scale conspiracies are near impossible. The degree of secrecy and deception required are opposed by the number of people required to actually achieve the intended goal.

And we must never forget the randomness of human nature. A stoic and cold businessman may suddenly "come to" and realize his sins. Perhaps he found religion, perhaps he found love, perhaps he tripped and hit his head, perhaps he simply saw or remembered something that struck a chord.

I find people who resort to belief in a global conspiracy of "power elite guiding the world" are making excuses. Just as we once attributed natural occurences to a deity's supernatural powers, believing that a small group of people can actually control the unpredictable and uncertain actions of billions without the thousands that work for them figuring out what's going on, is just superstition.

Really good point, actually. I think vast conspiracies that would require the silence of millions are completely outlandish. However, I think small time calculated conspiracies, as you briefly mentioned, are not only likely, they may in some cases be probable. That's why I think the Moscow bombings could count in that category: very few in the FSB would know and it would take even fewer to place the bombs. Then silence anyone who raises eyebrows – easily done in a corrupt state like Russia – and bingo. Your conspiracy is real.

[Arkotania]

And lets not forget conspiracies that may form from voluntary negligence. For example, if applied to Pearl Harbor or 9/11, it could be plausible that there was a voluntary negligence in taking action against an attack for the purposes of creating an opportunity. While the attacks may not have been planned by the conspirators, their negligence despite being aware of it would still fit under the category of being a conspiracy.

[Condunum]

Lee Harvey Oswald was a patsy, the FBI conspired to eliminate MLK, and that's all I can think of.

[Canton Empire]

I don't know if this is true but somebody once told me there is a certain tribe in the British isles that has sexual relations with sheep, this is the funniest one, I don't know the name of these people.

Diana could have been murdered.

They allowed pearl harbor to happen

Agreed.
Pearl Harbor.... Maybe. I don't know how that many people miss those kinds of signs.

[Sediczja]

I don't know if this is true but somebody once told me there is a certain tribe in the British isles that has sexual relations with sheep, this is the funniest one, I don't know the name of these people.

That "tribe" would be the Welsh, and it's a common (if unfunny) joke, not a conspiracy.

I really hope you're trolling at this point.

[Faustin Land]

'luminati of course.

[Skinia]

Do the truthers have any actual evidence to back up their claims, btw?

[Manisdog]

I don't know if this is true but somebody once told me there is a certain tribe in the British isles that has sexual relations with sheep, this is the funniest one, I don't know the name of these people.

That "tribe" would be the Welsh, and it's a common (if unfunny) joke, not a conspiracy.

I really hope you're trolling at this point.

I did not know this, I thought it was a tribe, Why would someone crack this joke ?

[Apparatchikstan]

You believe that it is the early part of the 21st century, when actually it is more like the end of the 22nd. To be honest, we don't know what year it is.....

[The 502nd SS]

I don't know if this is true but somebody once told me there is a certain tribe in the British isles that has sexual relations with sheep, this is the funniest one, I don't know the name of these people.

Diana could have been murdered.

They allowed pearl harbor to happen

I believe the soviets knew that the attack was coming

[The Union of Tentacles and Grapes]

Stargate SG-1 and its spinoffs were originally started off in a government whim to allow for any possible future Roswell type scenario to be dismissed as people watching too much TV.

It went far better than anyone planned.

[Condunum]

You believe that it is the early part of the 21st century, when actually it is more like the end of the 22nd. To be honest, we don't know what year it is.....

In the Buddhist calender, it's 2558. In the Islamic calender, it's 1436.

Years are just numbers, and if we're going to count by any objective measure it'd be a billion something years since the earth started revolving around the sun

[Benuty]

Anyone else?

[Sediczja]

Monster energy is the drink of the devil, ofc

[Skinia]

(Image)

Anyone else?

Well, you just won the thread.

[The Union of Tentacles and Grapes]

Monster energy is the drink of the devil, ofc

[Nervium]

Big oil is evil and pays scientists to create fraudulent research papers debunking the human impact on global warming.

[Aemen]

The Death of Pope John Paul I is a particular favourite of mine. The Vatican refused to release certain details concerning his passing and didn't allow for an autopsy on the grounds that it was against the law, though they determine that he died of a heart attack, despite the fact the Pope's physician claimed he was in good health a few days before he was discovered. It should be noted that previous Popes who died in office were allowed a post-mortem, contrary to the Vatican's statement that such things were illegal.

Whether it was just an error on the Church's part or not, it snowballed into all sorts of conspiracy theories that John Paul I was murdered by the Mafia, Freemasons, fellow Catholics or a combination of all three.

[Allet Klar Chefs]

The Gulf of Tonkin incident was Untrue.

[Benuty]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFQYyizJ2_A

I know the thread is for "plausible conspiracy theories", but this crap is hilarious.