FAKE NEWS & CONSPIRACY THEORIES
EDITO R Charlotte Colombo editor@wessexscene.ac.uk editor@wessexscene.co.uk DEPUTY EDITOR Megan Crossman deputy-editor@wessexscene.co.uk H EAD O F PRI NT DES I G N Pea ch Sop hie Peach design@wessexscene.co.uk
EVERYTHING IS NOT AS IT SEEMS...
H EAD O F I MAGERY Panno N ina Pa nno ne image@wessexscene.co.uk WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER K ayleigh Littlemo rre e HEAD OF OUTREACH Simran Mann publicity@wessexscene.co.uk H EAD O F EVENTS Nathaniel Oluwadamilola Ogunniyi events@wessexscene.co.uk SUB-EDITORS Joanna Magil Gaby PulestonVaudrey Jordan Truong Kai Chappell EDITO FE ATURES EDI TO R A blett B e t h Ablett features@wessexscene.co.uk CREATIVE WRITING OPINIO N EDI TO R Linnea Lagerstedt EX E CUTIVE opinion@wessexscene.co.uk T illy Ro ber ts features@wessexscene.co.uk POLI TICS EDITO R PatrickO Lowe OPINI N EDI TO R Linnea Lagerstedt politics@wessexscene.co.uk opinion@wessexscene.co.uk SCIENCE & TECH EDITORS POLITICS Lea So ler EDITO R Patrick Lowe science@wessexscene.co.uk politics@wessexscene.co.uk SCIENCE Jordan Tr& uoTECH ng ( DEDITOR eputy) Lea S o ler science@wessexscene.co.uk LIFESTYL E EDI TO R Marco Pr eta ra LIFESTYLEwessexsc EDI TO R e ne . c o . uk lifestyle@ Marco Preta ra IN T ERNATIO NALsce E Dne I TO lifestyle@wessex .cRo .uk H e n r y S ha h international@wessexscene.co.uk IN T ERNA TIO NAL E D I TO R H e n ry S ha h T RAV EL EDI TO R international@wessexscene.co.uk Hazel Jonckers travel@wessexscene.co.uk T RAVEL EDI TO R Hazel Jonckers SPOR TS EDI TO R travel@wessexscene.co.uk Luke Ebbs sport@wessexscene.co.uk SPOR TS EDITO R Luke Ebbs sport@wessexscene.co.uk PAU SE EDI TO R Tom Ford pause@wessexscene.co.uk PAU SE EDITO R Tom Ford N EWS & I NVESTIGA TI O N S pause@wessexscene.co.uk news/investigations@wessexscene. co.uk N EWS & INVESTIGA TI O N S
news/investigations@ wessexscene.co.uk
Emily Dennis
Ben Dolbear
Imy Brighty-Potts
Conspiracy theories surround us, there is somehow a conspiracy theory for everything that has ever happened. Some of these are fun and sometimes they can be more harmful, shaping our beliefs. We may laugh them off and see people as being delusional, but almost everybody believes in one in some shape or form. Some conspiracy theories are normalised in our everyday beliefs, like do you believe in aliens or UFOs? Almost everybody has an opinion on that. Some can be more radical and based in politics, such as theories on what the government is lying to us about, are pigeons real or have they been replaced with robots so the government can spy on us? In fact, for us University of Southampton students, there is a certain conspiracy theory that takes over Crushampton sometimes: is the Boldrewood tunnel real or not? As a Southampton student, I think everyone has thoughts on this now. There has yet to be a big event that hasn’t been surrounded by conspiracy theories, from whether the royals killed Princess Diana, if Hitler faked his own death or the government was behind 9/11. We have seen this even recently with the Coronavirus pandemic. Countless theories float around about the virus. Is it a biological weapon? Is it caused by 5G? Are our governments lying to us? Personally, I find conspiracy theories fascinating, how so many people can come to believe them and how they somehow fill our everyday lives, especially with social media the theories can escalate faster. One of my personal favourites, although I don’t believe it, is that The Simpsons predicts the future. From Trump’s presidency to the 2014 Ebola Virus, it seems like everyone wants to find a conspiracy theory in something. This magazine takes a look at the various conspiracy theories that surround our lives and why we believe in them. We look at how harmful conspiracy theories can be in witchcraft, and the merit there is in conspiracy theories. Thank you to all the writers, illustrators and our committee who have worked hard to put this magazine together. We hope you enjoy reading it. Your Deputy Editor,
MEGAN CROSSMAN Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this magazine belong to each author alone - Wessex Scene is a neutral publication which aims to publish views from across the student body. To respond with an opposing opinion, please contact opinion@wessexscene.co.uk or join our Opinion Writers’ Group.
FRONT COVER IMAGE BY Nina Pannone
FEATURES WHY DO WE BELIEVE IN CONSPIRACY 04 THEORIES TITANIC: HAVE WE BEEN TOLD THE 06 TRUTH WAS H.H HOLMES JACK THE RIPPER? 08
OPINION 14 OF JET FUEL AND STEEL BEAMS 16 THE RISE OF FLAT-EARTHERS AND THE DEATH OF THE EXPERT 18 JFK ASSASSINATION THEORIES
TRUE CRIME: THE MURDER OF 10 NICOLE BROWN & RON GOLDMAN 1994 WAS THE PEOPLE’S PRINCESS 12 MURDERED?
POLITICS FAKE NEWS IN THE 2019 UK 20 GENERAL ELECTION
SCIENCE & TECH 21 SCIENCE OR ‘SCIENCE’?
LIFESTYLE THE TRUTH IN CONSPIRACIES AND 22 WHY THAT MATTERS MORE
INTERNATIONAL
HERSTORY: WOMEN & WITCHCRAFT 25
27 WERE THE MOON LANDINGS A MYTH? 28 TRUMP, FAKE NEWS, AND THE MEDIA
TRAVEL CONSPIRACY HOTSPOTS FOR THOSE 30 WHO MARVEL IN THE UNKNOWN 32 THE MYTH OF DENVER AIRPORT
PAUSE SURVIVING THE APOCALYPSE: A 33 BEGINNERS GUIDE IT’S JUST YOU BECAUSE IT’S NOT HOT IN HERE: A GUIDE TO CLIMATE 34 CHANGE DENIAL
WESSEX S CE NE . CO . UK @ WE S S E XS CE NE
F B . C OM / W S C E N E @OF F IC IAL W E S S E X S C E N E 3
FAKE NEWS & CONSPIRACY THEORIES
Why Do We Believe in Conspiracy Theories? WORDS BY MEGAN CROSSMAN IMAGES BY SOPHIE PERCY I find conspiracy theories fascinating. We’re surrounded by them in all aspects of life. It amazes me not only how they come to prevalence, but also how people can believe some of them. One of my favourites is that Avril Lavigne died and was replaced by a clone. Now, I don’t think it’s true, but don’t you think it’s interesting how people have come to believe that it is? Even if you say you don’t believe in conspiracy theories, chances are there is at least one that you do believe. It might just be that you think governments have had contact with aliens and not told us. From the existence of the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot, to the belief that the Queen killed Princess Diana or that Hitler faked his own death, it’s clear that some theories are more extreme than others. But what makes so many of us believe in conspiracy theories? Especially the more ridiculous ones? To Exert Control The average, everyday citizen has little control compared to those high up in governments. We don’t know when and if governments are telling the truth or not. When faced with big events which have seemingly no logical explanation, people seek to control what they don’t know. The moon landing seems like such a far-off concept because the majority of the population will never experience it for themselves. For some, the idea that there is so much more out there in the universe is scary. If they believe that the moon landings were faked, they can then reduce their world back to what we know on Earth, and feel more in control.
explain them. Did Bush really orchestrate 9/11? Probably not, but with such a catastrophe, people need to explain it somehow and want someone to blame. In blaming the US Government, they can lay the fault on something/someone they already hate and fit this in to their world view without altering what they thought they knew before the disaster. Proportionality Bias With big, catastrophic events, some people feel that the cause must be as great as the impact. Therefore, rather than explaining it with something small, they seek to find an excuse that is just as big. How could the president of America, and thus one of the most important people in the world, be shot by one person working alone? Surely a man of that significance must have been killed by more than one person? In explaining JFK’s death proportionally, it seems less scary to think that he had to be shot down by several people, rather than just one lone man. Social Media While social media may not explain exactly why people believe in conspiracy theories, it has increased the ease of access and communication about conspiracy theories. This now makes it easier for people to discover new conspiracy theories and for the world to discuss them. Twitter threads discussing conspiracy theories circulate and suddenly people hear all about these theories that would never have occurred to them otherwise.
To Understand There is so much about the world that we don’t know from things that nobody knows, to what governments know but won’t tell us. It makes sense that in order to understand big events, people come up with theories to
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FAKE NEWS
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Fake News In The 2019 UK General Election
WORDS BY JORDAN TRUONG IMAGE BY FRANCES ROSE
CONSPIRACY THEORIES
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FAKE NEWS & CONSPIRACY THEORIES
Titanic: Have We Been Told The Truth?
We've all seen the film. Kate and Leo clutching each
however, were the issues experienced by the Olympic.
other at the prow of the ship, falling in love, his tragic
In 1911, the Olympic was involved in a collision with a
and unnecessary death (there was definitely room for
Royal Navy warship at Southampton Water (where our
two on that door, Kate). In reality, we all know the story
boat balls do their cruises). It sustained a lot of damage
of the Titanic to be a tragic one; the 'unsinkable' ship
and was left permanently leaning slightly to the left. The
proving to be sinkable after all, leaving 1500 dead in the
Olympic was blamed for the accident, meaning that their
freezing North Atlantic ocean. Studying in Southampton,
insurance company would not cover the necessary repairs.
it all feels a little closer to home, as this was where
This was a disaster for White Star Line, as this meant that
the voyage set off, where the passengers kissed their
the Titanic's completion date needed to be delayed and the
loved ones goodbye with no idea of how permanent
company would experience a devastating financial loss.
that 'goodbye' would be. Many of the crew were local to Southampton, so the effects of the disaster were felt
The theory claims that J.P Morgan hatched a plan to
intensely in this area, hence the memorial in the city.
switch the two ships, meaning that it was actually the Olympic that embarked on that famous journey from
But what if we weren't told the truth? What if a huge
Southampton to New York. The plan was for the Titanic,
secret has been covered up? What if the 'Titanic'
which was now actually the Olympic, to sink deliberately,
wasn't really the 'Titanic' at all? Research conducted
either inevitably due to its damage or due to tampering
by Robin Gardiner led him to write a book in 1998,
by crew members in on the plan. The passenger ship,
Titanic: The Ship that Never Sank, arguing as such.
the SS Californian, which famously failed to respond to the distress signals of the Titanic, was allegedly
The Titanic was owned by the International Mercantile
arranged to be there on standby to rescue the passengers
Marine Group, which was under the control of financier
and respond to these distress signals. However, the
J.P Morgan, alongside the White Star Line shipping
communications officer fell asleep. The fact that, despite
company. It was him who commissioned the Titanic,
being a passenger ship, the SS Californian's cargo was only
as well as two other boats called the Olympic and the
3,000 woollen blankets and jumpers - but with no onboard
Britannic, as luxury liners for his company. The Titanic
passengers - does point to it being there on purpose.
and the Olympic were almost identical, other than slight differences such as the number of portholes and the
But why do this? What could be gained by risking the lives
spacing of the windows. What set these two boats apart, 6
FAKE NEWS
FEATURES of all of these passengers? Money, of course. If the "Titanic"
painted over. Furthermore, although the original Titanic
sank, the company would receive a hefty sum from their
had a black undercoat, there is evidence of the grey
insurance company, as the Titanic was a valuable ship
undercoat of the Olympic on the wreck. It has to be said,
in supposedly perfect condition. This money would be
however, that the wreck was not found until 1985, so such
enough to pay for a brand new boat, and possibly more,
physical evidence is less believable as it was therefore was
thus resolving the financial disaster faced by the company.
exposed to the elements for 73 years before its discovery.
Why
it
Conspiracy theories are always tricky, as there often is
there
no smoke without fire and yet it seems hard to believe
evidence.
that such a huge secret can be kept for so many years.
does are
should seem some
we a
very
believe
little
this?
far-fetched,
compelling
pieces
Admittedly however of
Personally, I feel compelled to believe this theory, but also As previously stated, the damage sustained by the
remain sceptical. I firmly believe that it is right to question
Olympic after its collision in 1911 included a "list to
the world around us, to not immediately believe what we
port" - in other words, a tilt to the left. This was noticed
are told but to perform our own investigation and establish
by many passengers and noted by survivors, including
the facts for ourselves. As for the Titanic, we may never
Lawrence Beesley, who was considered a reliable source
know the full truth about what happened. Either way, it
and penned one of the first books about the disaster.
was a terrible tragedy which sustained significant loss of life and must never be forgotten.
One of the slight differences between the Olympic and the Titanic was the number of portholes. The Titanic reportedly had 14 and the Olympic had 16, yet photo evidence shows
WORDS BY BETH ABLETT IMAGES BY ZHEN ZHONG
that despite the Titanic having 14 portholes during the final stages of construction, it had 16 when departing for her maiden voyage. The portholes on the Olympic had been observed to be more unevenly spaced than those on the Titanic, but as the "Titanic" prepared for departure, people noted that her portholes looked more unevenly spaced. Several high profile passengers, including J.P Morgan himself, cancelled their trip at the last minute. Morgan had used illness as an excuse, yet witnesses claimed to have seen him entirely well and happy the day the ship sank. Many of the other prominent passengers who cancelled were connected to Morgan, suggesting he may have warned them not to travel. The wreck itself somewhat supports this theory, as the letters M and P are visible on the side of the ship, potentially from where the word 'Olympic' had been
CONSPIRACY THEORIES
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FAKE NEWS THEORIES FAKE NEW &&CONSPIRACY CONSPIRACY THEORIES
WAS H.H HOLMES JACK THE RIPPER ? TW: Violence So, were H.H Holmes and Jack the Ripper the same person? Both of these infamous names are probably familiar to you. Two serial killers in the late 1800s: one in England, one in America, with two different ways of killing, and yet there is a theory that they were the same person. It is often believed that Jack the Ripper, as the name implies, was a brutal and messy murderer, when that wasn’t the case. He was meticulous, often killing prostitutes on the streets of Victorian London who would likely not be missed. He would choke his victims first, which was partly how he never attracted attention. Then he would mutilate their bodies and, in three cases, remove their organs. Due to the meticulous nature of his killings and the careful removal of the organs, specialists believe he may have had some medical training, or at least some anatomical knowledge. Nobody knows how many people the Ripper killed. There were 11 murders that occurred in Whitechapel between April 1888 and February 1891, although it is debated as to whether they are the work of one culprit. Five of these, known as the ‘Canonical Five’, are widely attributed to the Ripper. Mary Jane Kelly, the final ‘Canonical Five’ victim, was found dead, not on the streets, but in her bed. In America on Christmas Eve 1891, Julia and Pearl Smythe, thought to be H.H. Holmes’ first victims, went missing. Holmes was infamous for his ‘Murder Castle’: a hotel in Chicago with three stories and a basement. The Murder Castle included torture rooms, with a chute to the basement, secret passages, surgical tables and tools, apartments, plus a storefront. Holmes would sell his victims’ organs and bones on the black market. In 1894, Holmes was arrested and, in 1985, put on trial for the murder of Benjamin Pietzel. It later became clear Holmes also murdered Pietzel’s children. Holmes confessed to 27 murders, although some of these ‘confessions’ were about people who were still alive. On the 7th May 1896 Holmes was hanged. It’s confirmed that he killed nine people, but the real number may be closer to 200.
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Yes The trail of Ripper murders ends at the start of 1891, and Holmes’ murder spree is thought to begin at the end of 1891. Should they be the same person, the times work out conveniently for Holmes to travel between England and America. During this gap, ship records show that a H. Holmes made this journey, making it plausible this could be the same H. Holmes as the one who ran the Murder Castle. Holmes was renowned for being a document keeper, however, between 1888 and 1891, i.e. the time of the Ripper murders, Holmes had no documents and there was no trace of where he was. Despite beliefs that the Ripper was a messy killer, he was methodical with his killings. Although not on the same meticulous level as Holmes’ castle, this could have been the lead up for Holmes to develop his killing style. Jack’s final victim being found in bed suggests a progression to no longer committing random murders in the street. Both killers removed their victim’s organs – Holmes was a qualified doctor, and the Ripper was believed to have some medical training. Sketches of what the Ripper supposedly looked like, drawn from the testimonies of over 13 witnesses who saw the Ripper in action, eerily match photos of Holmes. For Jeff Mudgett, Holmes’ great-greatgrandson, who believes the Ripper and Holmes were the same person, the similarity is close enough that, were the case happening today, it would warrant an arrest. Finally, the infamous ‘Dear Boss’ letter ‘written’ by the Ripper, in which he first gives the title ‘Jack the Ripper’, and sent to the Central News agency in 1888, is thought by linguists to have American idioms. The letter gloats about murders already attributed to the
FAKE NEWS FAKE NEWS
FEATURES same killer, known previously as ‘The Whitechapel Murderer’, among other names. Should Holmes and the Ripper be the same person, it would make sense as to why this letter appeared to be written by an American. No Despite what seems to be a lot of evidence for the two killers being the same person, a lot of it can be picked apart. None of the evidence is solid enough to pinpoint the two men as being one person - it is merely circumstantial. Moreover, many people believe that the ‘Dear Boss’ letter wasn’t written by the killer, but by a journalist or a local looking to create more action. Holmes was a common name in the 19th Century, so this does not prove that H.Holmes of the Murder Castle was in England at the time of the Ripper killings. Holmes was also known to go by different names; his real name was Herman Webster Mudgett. It could be coincidence that another H. Holmes was travelling to America in 1891. Lastly, while Holmes sought to gain the life insurance money from his victims, thus fuelling his greed, the Ripper murdered the poor. There was no financial gain for the Ripper by carrying out his murders, and so he did not murder for the same reason as Holmes supposedly did. If the motives are different, then the murderers could be too. With all the evidence being circumstantial, and the case over a century old, we may never know who the Ripper was and if it was Holmes after all. It’s up to us to come up with our own conclusions with this conspiracy theory.
WORDS BY MEGAN CROSSMAN IMAGE BY SOPHIE PEACH
CONSPIRACY THEORIES
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FAKE NEWS & CONSPIRACY THEORIES
True Crime: The Murder of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman, 1994 CW: Violence, Domestic abuse In the late hours of June 12th 1994, Nicole Brown, former wife of O.J. Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman were brutally murdered on the steps of her Bundy Drive estate in Brentwood, LA. The crime scene discovered was hellish, with blood pools everywhere. There were two collapsed bodies, both of which suffered from extensive stab wounds; Nicole’s neck was slashed and almost decapitated. What followed was the accusation and arrest of O.J. Simpson, leading to the ‘trial of the century’, which spanned 11 months from the swearing-in of the jury (November 9th 1994) and opening statements ( January 24 1995) to the verdict announcement (October 3rd 1995). Although it’s been almost 26 years since Brown and Goldman lost their lives, the murder case is one that still garners attention due to its unsolved status. O.J. Simpson was the primary suspect for both murders. His career up until this point had bought him incredible fame - having been a former American football running back, an advert spokesman, broadcaster and actor - but it was the murder of his former wife and her friend that gave him notoriety. Nicole and O.J.’s relationship was bumpy. Though they met when O.J. was still married to his first wife, the pair married in 1985 and had two children before Simpson pleaded no contest to spousal abuse in 1989. Three years later, Nicole filed for divorce. Later, police tapes would be broadcast that indicated the severity of the domestic abuse she suffered and the danger her life was under. These tapes, as well as photos of her abuse released after her death, demonstrated this to be a murder that could have been prevented. Simpson, being the only suspect, was told to turn himself in or face being arrested. This news sparked the famous lowspeed white Bronco car chase that lasted over two hours, covering more than 60 miles and three LA freeways. A number of these freeways were cleared whilst police escorted him, and people lined the roads in support of O.J. Eventually,
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he handed himself in and stated at the preliminary hearing on June 20th that he was “not guilty.” Months later, on January 24th, the ‘trial of the century’ officially began. The trial was televised and many tuned in to watch the events unfold, whilst others lined the streets in support of the defence. During the trial many issues came to the fore surrounding the collection of evidence, the testimonies given, and the jury selection - all of which worked against the prosecution. Simpson’s ‘Dream Team’ defence, made up of Robert Shapiro and Johnnie Cochran, amongst others, transformed the murder case into a case about race. Cochran, known for his involvement in police brutality and civil rights cases, was criticised for his sensationalised performance during the trial - so much so that Christopher Darden, lead prosecutor, accused him of turning the case into a ‘circus’ due to his manipulation of the facts. Quickly, the trial became less concerned with the facts and the 488 pieces of evidence that were presented, and more about race. Amidst the background of police brutality, and specifically the Rodney King verdict (1992), people saw another black man being accused of a crime they believed he didn’t commit. Race was the line that divided the public: 75% of white people believed he was guilty, with the same percentage of black people believing him to be innocent. Simpson’s blood, hair, fibres from his clothes, and shoe prints were found at the Bundy crime scene, as well as inside his own Bronco, placing him at the murder scene. Witnesses would later also come forward and with this a timeline was established. This timeline concretely placed Simpson at the crime scene and as the murderer of both Nicole and Ron. Though there was overwhelming evidence, the mishandling of the crime scene and the poor treatment of this evidence during its collection meant that it was not enough to convict him. Fears grew in the lead up to the verdict that race riots, similar to those in 1992, would erupt on the back of Simpson’s conviction, but such a conviction never came. After only four hours of deliberation by the jury, O.J.
FAKE NEWS
FEATURES Simpson was acquitted of both murders - a verdict that over 100 million people either listened to or watched being broadcast. This divided the public even more, with many believing this to be a wrongful acquittal. In a 1996 civil trial, however, Simpson was found responsible for both murders, although the Goldmans are yet to receive the $33.5 million civil judgment fee awarded in this case. Though almost 26 years have passed since the trial, it is still a popular subject: with new adaptations, books, and documentaries emerging about the case that are keeping it alive. However, the ‘trial of the century’ should not be celebrated. Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman were brutally murdered and left bloody and dying on the steps outside where Nicole’s children slept. Still, no one has been convicted. For the families of both Brown and Goldman, there hasn’t been justice and there never will be, and this is what matters
CONSPIRACY THEORIES
most. Nicole’s murder was preventable, and Ron’s own kindness simply placed him at the wrong place at the wrong time, which I think is the saddest part. The pair should never have lost their lives, and their killer has walked away freely. Personal opinion and experience will always rule here, but the verdict was, in my eyes, a complete miscarriage of justice for both Ron and Nicole that, due to the double-jeopardy law, makes it a verdict that can never be overturned.
WORDS BY ZARAH AKVAN-MOOSAVI IMAGE BY TWINSOFSEDONA [CC0]
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FAKE NEWS & CONSPIRACY THEORIES
Was the People’s Princess Murdered ?
There are few things more haunting than Princess Diana's Panorama interview, which happened a mere two years before her passing in 1997. In that interview, it's always said that you could see it in her eyes: the fear, anxiety and deep sadness caused by her relationship with whom she ominously called 'the establishment'.
no doubt. From hugging victims with HIV un-gloved to continuing with charitable and Royal engagements even after her divorce, it was clear that this 'princess of people's hearts' refused to be sidelined or disappear from relevance in the way the family would've preferred.
By 'the establishment', she means the British Royal family, who are well beyond your typical nightmare in-laws. In her jaw-dropping interview, she makes a series of allegations which caused definite harm to their reputation, including their perception of her as a 'problem' that needed to be 'solved', their interception of correspondence and opportunities directed at her and, most memorably, her confirmation of long-standing rumours relating to Prince Charles' infidelity, with her softly explaining that 'there were three people in this marriage, so it was rather crowded.'
With this bubbling suspicion coupled with various rumours and scrutiny about her moving on and being in another relationship (a bit of a double standard given her husband was involved with Camilla from the outset, but that's an issue for another article), some would say that her death was inevitable. Diana, at least, thought so. In a letter that was disclosed by butler Paul Burrell after her death (she had given it to him for safekeeping), she said this: 'This particular phase in my life is the most dangerous. [...] [The Royal Family] is planning 'an accident' in my car, brake failure and serious head injury in order to make the path clear for Charles to marry'.
Although it had been long suspected that the innerworkings of the Windsor dynasty weren't always at they seemed, this was the first time it was confirmed - and by someone that the family greatly considered to be a threat,
Eerily so, it cannot be ignored that the circumstances of her death are pretty much parallel. With these similarities, it becomes increasingly plausible that foul play was involved. There are several different theories and evidence that point
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FAKE NEWS
FEATURES towards this conclusion, so let's dissect this together... Why did it take so long to get to the hospital? The first call to the emergency services was switchboarded at 12:36am. Diana was then recorded as arriving at the hospital at 2:06am - an hour and a half later. A lot of people believe this was deliberate sabotage by a number of medical professionals - who were possibly in cahoots with Royal Family, the French Government or French and British security services such as MI6. It's also suspect that that they chose to not take her to the nearest available hospital at the scene of the crash, and instead chose a different one that was further away. However, according to an inquest, the ambulance driver reported that they were instructed to drive slowly in order to save the Princess' life. It's also reported that as per French procedure, staff spent forty minutes at the scene treating and attempting to stabilise Diana before transporting her. But did these two crucial decisions - to treat at the scene and to not immediately take her to hospital - ultimately cost the Princess her life? And if so, was this outcome premeditated? Was
Diana
killed
because
she
was
pregnant?
It is strongly believed that Diana was pregnant by lover Dodi Fayed (who also died in the crash); in fact, one of the most high-profile believers of this theory is Fayed's father himself, Mohamed Al-Fayed. Some theorise that MI5 and/or MI6 decided to kill the Princess in case she converted to Islam (Dodi's faith). Apparently, this was seen as a threat and motive for her killing because, if her children ended up being converted by Diana as a result, this could have huge implications for the Church and State in the future. Adding to this theory, Al-Fayed has also said in the past that the Royal Family were involved in her death because they 'could not accept that an Egyptian Muslim could eventually be the stepfather of the future King of England'.
not pregnant at the time of her death - but who's to say those test results weren't falsified? Who killed Princess Diana? We've already talked a little about MI5 (national security) and MI6 (international security) being behind Diana's death, but there is more than one suggestion about the extent of which they were involved. Some think that rogue 'cells' of this organisation deemed her a threat to the throne and, by extension, the stability of the state. This then compelled them to take her out themselves without any other involvement. More disconcertingly, others suggest that MI6 were acting under the establishment's instructions in killing Diana, with it being an official and sanctioned assassination attempt. The direct involvement of the MI5 and MI6 is theorised in a variety of ways, but most chiefly the role of the driver of Diana and Dodi's limo, Henri Paul, is treated with suspicion. Although he was described as being a reckless alcoholic who was drunk at the time of driving the vehicle, eyewitness accounts and CCTV from the hotel show him appearing sober and nowhere near the level of drunk his post-mortem alcohol-blood levels suggest. Furthermore, although Head of Security at The Ritz is a fairly prestigious job to hold, its salary didn't seem to match up to the kind of wealth and income he actually had. This has led to many - including friends of his - suggesting that he acted as a 'sleeper agent' for organisations such as MI6. In response to all of these theories, the Metropolitan Police launched an inquiry into her death called Operation Paget, which examined 175 popular theories into the fatal accident. Although it was concluded that these conspiracy claims had no stable grounding to them, questions like the ones above still remain - and it's easy to see why. One thing's for sure... the story surrounding Diana's death is far from over.
However, tests on her blood show that she was
WORDS BY CHARLOTTE COLOMBO IMAGE BY JOHN MATHEW SMITH & WWW.CELEBRITY-PHOTOS.COM FROM LAUREL MARYLAND CONSPIRACY THEORIES
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FAKE NEWS & CONSPIRACY THEORIES
Of jet fuel and steal beams 9/11 conspiracy theories. Yes – those again. I could expend a considerable amount of ink on why they are utterly false. I could detail the reams of research by journalists and congressional staffers of all political stripes into how the attacks of 9/11 were planned and unfolded, or the refutation by civil and aerospace engineers of the arguments put forward about ‘irregularities’ in the manner of the buildings’ collapse. I could point to the comprehensive lack of planning for the post-war settlement in Iraq, or what Bush’s Administration would do if Iraq had no WMDs. Or the fact that the first war the United States undertook after 9/11 was in Afghanistan - a country that had been never been of prior interest to any Bush administration members. Yet the theories still persist. Given the weight of evidence against them, this would be surprising, if we were not dealing with political history. History, and political history in particular, is the stories we tell about the past in order to make sense of how we got here, and by extension who 14
we are now. These are often based on who we want to be, on a yearning for a favourable identity. The story that the 'Truthers' want to tell is that a US president orchestrated attacks that killed thousands of American civilians, a narrative that denies the possibility that a non-state group in Afghanistan launched devastatingly successful attacks on the World Trade Center, UA Flight 93 and the Pentagon. Indeed, this story seems to depend on the assumption that it would be better for the
United States government to be competently evil, rather than its best intentions having failed. This attitude is built on two things: American exceptionalism and racism. FAKE NEWS
OPINION
that 'Truthers' are affected by this legacy, Many Americans have long subscribed to a drawing upon this disdain for other races. theory of their country's exceptionalism. It has been present since the colonial era, first 9/11 was undoubtedly an event of great as an idea of Americans as a 'chosen people', trauma for the American psyche. That fact magnified by the War of Independence. Then, is inescapable. But the response to it has, with the Second World War and the subsequent over the years, revealed the content of this Cold War came the idea of America as having psyche, and in the case of the conspiracy 'global responsibility' as one History textbook theories some less savoury aspects have been put it. With responsibilities come rights. The highlighted. right, for instance, to intervene globally in the name of their national security. For a country WORDS BY SAM PEARSON great enough to lay claim to these rights and IMAGE BY CAROL M. HIGHSMITH responsibilities to be successfully attacked in ARCHIVE, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, its most important cities, by an organisation that lacked the resources or manpower of even the most minor state, could easily be denied by those who have internalised this way of thinking. It would be unsurprising if the end result was a line of argument that concluded: ‘only Americans could possibly have killed this many Americans on home soil’. Racism and the United States have a long and involved history. The 9/11 attackers were comprised of Saudi nationals, operating out of compounds in southern Afghanistan. Add to this the fact American politics has contained an undercurrent of contempt for the abilities of those of different races (often barely veiled) since before the founding of the United States. Slavery, then the failure of Reconstruction, the rise, fall, then resurgence of the KKK, followed by the confrontations of the Civil Rights movement all testify to this fact. It follows CONSPIRACY THEORIES
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FAKE NEWS & CONSPIRACY THEORIES
THE RISE OF FLAT-EARTHERS AND THE DEATH OF THE EXPERT Flat-earthers are a long-standing staple of the conspiracy world and most of us are familiar with their existence. However, in recent years the belief that the world is flat and not globular has garnered even more attention, thanks to the internet. Platforms like YouTube have given voices and audiences to NASA sceptics and globe-deniers from all over the world, and the movement has grown to the extent of annual Flat Earth conventions. With famous names like B.o.B. and Logan Paul weighing in, intrigue into the flat earth theory has grown, prompting the Netflix documentary Behind the Curve in 2018. With so many eyes now on this movement, it raises the question, is this a harmless but strange community or a threat to scientific truth? A significant detail about the flat earth community is the focus on science and the scientific method. These are not people who reject science, but rather reject the organisations conducting the science. In Netflix’s documentary, many flat-earthers are shown to be performing their own experiments in an effort to prove that the earth has no curvature. Many flat-earthers admit to originally laughing at the flat-earth community until they came into contact with what they describe as irrefutable proof. A prominent voice in this community is Mark Sargent, who’s channel has almost 100,000 subscribers. His videos seek to debunk Globe Earth and prove that the earth is flat. Mark features prominently in Netflix’s documentary, and is very active in conferences and the wider flat-earth world. Mark Sargent is not a scientist in the traditional sense; he does not have scientific qualifications that we might recognise as making him an authority on the topic. But here, it appears to work in his favour. Traditional experts are met with scepticism and hostility, deemed to be working for the powers that are peddling the globe-earth lie. Individuals conducting their own research by sending drones into the air to prove that there is no curvature, or analysing live flight maps, are championed as heroes of truth. Why is it so easy to fall down the flat-earth rabbit hole? The answer may lie in the YouTube algorithm. During my research process, I watched a few flat earth videos, and 16
now my recommended is full of similar videos. YouTube is designed to figure out what kind of content people enjoy, and then push more of that content in their direction. It’s easy to see how someone who is simply curious to hear a flat earth argument might find themselves entrenched in flatearth theory. The correlation between the rise of YouTube and the rise of flat-earthers is no coincidence, and speaks to a general culture of individuals on the internet becoming many people’s version of experts. The internet, although amazing in how it allows us to learn so much in just a few clicks, is also dangerous for this very same thing. We are now witnessing the metaphorical death of the expert. Flat-earthers in and of themselves are not inherently dangerous. Wacky as their beliefs may be - including believing that Australia and Mars are fake, and that the world is more like a clock face, surrounded by a wall of ice – none of this is really harmful. However, a vast number of flat-earthers do not end their distrust in experts at NASA and Neil deGrasse Tyson. The pharmaceutical industry, among others, is deemed by many of these people to be untrustworthy. In recent years, the anti-vaccine movement has become so widespread that it has been declared one of the largest risks to global public health. If a venn diagram of flat-earthers and anti-vaxxers were to be created, there would be noticeable overlap. The death of the expert is something that threatens public health and hundreds of years of medical research, and companies like YouTube have a lot to answer for. In Behind the Curve, it is pointed out that flat-earthers have a keen dedication to the scientific method, and ought to be treated as those who could be good scientists rather than dismissed as wack-jobs. The need to engage them in civil discussion and not simply to laugh at them is emphasised. If people like Mark Sargent could direct their investigative skills into something else, they could do great things. So, rather than mocking and alienating flat-earthers, perhaps it’s time to take them seriously. We don’t have to humour their beliefs, but we can respect the process and their logic, and hopefully engage in productive discussions. Education and FAKE NEWS
OPINION critical thinking are the antidotes to the conspiracies that can entangle and consume people. Internet literacy is also important, and as we become more and more reliant on the web, we need to be careful with where we get our information from. But is any of that enough to reverse the tide of antiexpertism? Platforms like YouTube need to be more selective in the kinds of content that they endorse in order to prevent these kinds of rabbit-holes. There is a fine line to walk between moderating content and impairing free speech. We need a general cultural shift
CONSPIRACY THEORIES
that rejects factually unsound internet sources and instead searches for reliable sources, but in a world of fake news and alternative facts, how achievable is this? The truth is, flatearthers are symptomatic of the death of the expert.
WORDS BY DAISY MALCOM IMAGE BY FRANCES ROSE
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FAKE NEWS & CONSPIRACY THEORIES
JFK Assassination
The assassination of the United States’ President John F. Kennedy on the 22nd November 1963 and the subsequent murder of his shooter, Lee Harvey Oswald by assassin and nightclub owner Jack Ruby has sparked various conspiracy theories. Suspicion surrounds the circumstances of JFK’s untimely death. This is especially after the discovery that the CIA had failed to inspect any of the 6,000 windows along the motorcade route as they did not have enough men to do so. The subsequent report published by the Warren Commission in 1964 found that Lee Harvey Oswald was the sole shooter and that he acted alone, without any evidence of a conspiracy taking place. However, these findings were heavily reliant on the ‘magic bullet theory’. This suggested that just one bullet hit both JFK and Texas Governor John Connelly who was sat in front of him. This theory is integral to their findings as three gun cartridges were discovered by the window that Oswald shot at the President from. So it was presumed that he fired his gun three times. The first shot missed the motorcade but the second shot hit the President in the back. According to the Commission, the same bullet hit the governor, entering into his back, going through his arm and hand and eventually lodging itself in his leg. The third shot fired was the fatal headshot JFK received. A whole bullet was recovered from Connelly’s stretcher. The theory has been questioned by people who do not believe that the bullet would remain intact after passing through two men. Later it was discovered that the CIA had purposefully withheld information from the Commission. After this revelation, a new committee was formed to investigate the death of JFK. This second committee investigated
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acoustic evidence taken from the video footage of the incident and uncovered that there were six gunshots heard. These were so close together that it raised questions over whether Oswald was the only shooter. Based on this evidence, the committee concluded that it was highly likely that two gunmen had shot at JFK although they never identified the second gunman. They also stated that JFK was probably assassinated as a result of conspiracy but they were unable to discover the extent of it. Ever since these revelations came to light, many conspiracy theories have been put forward. One of the most popular theories is that the CIA was behind the assassination. This is because the CIA chose the motorcade route and failed to inspect the windows. They also failed to inform local authorities of the motorcade route. They also failed to disclose information relating to the incident to the committee, although they claimed it was a ‘benign coverup’. If this is the case, what motive could they have had for concealing the information? This information they failed to disclose was pertaining to plots to assassinate Fidel Castro, the Cuban dictator. Perhaps Kennedy discovered the CIA’s plot to have Castro killed and disapproved. This may have concerned the CIA as they may have feared Kennedy would have them disbanded. So, before he could act, they struck first and killed him. They chose Oswald to carry out the hit as he was a known communist and no-one would suspect their involvement. This theory is plausible, although a lot of it is pure speculation. Another theory is that the Russians hired Oswald, a known Russian sympathizer, to assassinate Kennedy on their behalf. The incident occurred in the middle of the Cold War, and the Russians potentially stood to gain from his death. However, this seems implausible ,as Oswald’s Russian ties were known. So, it would have been too suspicious if they had hired him.
FAKE NEWS
POLITICS
Conspiracy Theories A third theory is that the mob was involved in Kennedy’s death. The Chicago mob, the Miami mob and the New Orleans mob all claimed they were responsible for his death. In 2015, an imprisoned former mafia hitman named James Files claimed to have been the second shooter. He said he was part of a plot in collaboration with the mafia and the CIA. However, there is absolutely no evidence supporting his claims. This theory is very unlikely to be true. Despite the mystery surrounding the assassination, the truth may never be uncovered. This is due to Oswald’s death just two days after he killed the President. His death raised further questions, but we may never know the answers. In 2003, a poll found that 70% of Americans believed there was some kind of plot behind the assassination. What do you think?
WORDS BY OLIVIA FOX IMAGE BY PHOTO BY HISTORY IN HD ON UNSPLASH
CONSPIRACY THEORIES
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FAKE NEWS & CONSPIRACY THEORIES
Fake News In The 2019 UK General Election A study by First Draft found that 88% of the Conservative Party’s most promoted Facebook adverts during the 2019 General Election contained claims that were flagged by fact-checkers. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats faced criticism for suggesting that they could win a ‘seat like yours’ with graphs which lacked labels or sources. I will proceed to summarise some of the most prominent examples of fake news and deception from the last UK General Election.
had been placed there by his mother. This is evidently not true, as the Chief Medical Officer acknowledged and apologised for the overcrowding at the hospital.
Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, was met by protesters when he visited the hospital the same day to discuss this shocking situation. According to an unnamed source, a protester ‘punched’ Hancock at the hospital. This was tweeted by some of the most prominent political journalists in the UK such as the BBC’s Laura Kuennsberg and ITV’s Robert Peston. Despite reputed journalists sharing this account, a recording of Hancock’s exit from the hospital proved that this was fake news. Following the release of the video, both journalists apologised, with Peston alleging that the sources were ‘senior Tories’.
The Conservatives also courted controversy on Twitter when they uploaded a doctored clip of Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, Keir Starmer. It showed Starmer unable to answer a question on Good Morning Britain concerning Labour’s stance on Brexit. This is despite the MP providing an immediate and lengthy reply.
#4 - Fake fact-checkers.
During a televised head-to-head debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn in November, the Conservative Press Office Twitter account renamed itself # 1 - The UK’s most senior political journalists reported FactCheck UK. Despite a change in the account’s name an attack that never actually happened. and branding, it retained the verified by Twitter tick. Conservative strategists thus appear to have intentionally On the 8th of December, the Yorkshire Evening Post misled fact-checking voters into believing that its tweets reported that due to overcrowding at Leeds General about the claims of the leaders were impartial and reliable. Infirmary, a four-year-old boy believed to have pneumonia was left with no choice but to lie on the floor. The As the results of the 2019 Election came in, the following day, an ITV reporter attempted to show a photo CCHQ Twitter account revived the FactCheck UK of the boy to Boris Johnson. This distressing picture shows branding to announce: ‘FACT: @BorisJohnson and @ the boy resting on a pile of coats with an oxygen mask. Conservatives the winners of #GeneralElection19’. The Conservative Party leader refused to look, grabbing the interviewer’s phone and hiding it in his pocket. #5 - Doctored videos.
#2 - NHS crisis conspiracy theory. Following the December 2019 Election, on the 28th of January 2020, the right-wing blog Guido Fawkes tweeted: ‘Anyone else noticed that no children are sleeping on NHS floors now the election is over?’ This tweet promotes a conspiracy theory that the crisis in the NHS is staged and that the scrutiny that the Prime Minister faced was brought about for the purpose of political point-scoring. #3 - Bots. Bots on Facebook and Twitter copy and pasted a response to the Yorkshire Evening Post’s original report of hospital overcrowding, alleging that the boy
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WORDS BY PATRICK LOWE IMAGE BY MARTEN BJORK ON UNSPLASH FAKE NEWS
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Science or ‘Science’?
In the increasingly globalised and digital era we find ourselves in, information is literally at our fingertips. Through the power of our electronic devices, we can effectively act as our own doctors using NHS symptomfinders, catch up with all the latest developments in science/technology and even study for accredited qualifications via distance-learning. However, this high degree of connectivity provided by the Internet also brings the dangers of ‘fake news’ and other inaccurate postulations gaining enough traction such that they begin to influence public opinions and positions. It is important that we consider the most reliable sources available in order to be well-informed in such cases; anything less would be an abject waste of the increasing availability of information made possible by 21st century technology. With that in mind, let’s dive into some of the most notable (debunked) scientific conspiracy theories and ‘fake news’: #1 - The MMR Vaccine Scare In 1998, British doctor Andrew Wakefield and 12 coauthors published research in The Lancet, based on the cases of 12 patients, which proposed a link between the MMR jab and autism. Aided by campaigns launched by the Daily Mail and a lack of any scientific challenge to Wakefield’s ‘results’, this news would lead to a collapse in UK vaccination rates and the highest levels of nationwide measles cases seen for 20 years. It also brought the anti-vaxx movement into prominence, which continues to plague public health efforts to this day. In 2004, an investigation into Wakefield’s undisclosed financial interests in the case were made public, which found that when he warned parents to avoid MMR, and published research claiming a link with autism, he did not disclose he was being funded by solicitors seeking
CONSPIRACY THEORIES
evidence to use against vaccine manufacturers. This, combined with follow-up studies disproving the MMRASD connection, prompted The Lancet to withdraw the original article, with 10 co-authors pulling their support for the interpretational section which had stated said link, and Wakefield himself losing his medical license. #2 - The Peanut Butter Test In 2013, a study was published in the Journal of Neurological Sciences that aimed to detect Alzheimer’s disease (the most common cause of dementia in elderly people) by measuring subjects’ ability to smell peanut butter through each nostril; a lack of ability to smell through the left nostril was postulated as stemming from dysfunction of olfactory nerves, one of the first to be targeted by dementia. It was hailed as a potential breakthrough in early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s but was criticised for for its small sample size used in the study. A subsequent investigation published in the same paper could not replicate the results, disproving the original study. #3 - The Archaeoraptor Fossil In 1999, the fossil of a feathered dinosaur was ‘discovered’ and named as an Archaeoraptor. It was hailed as the missing evolutionary link between modern birds and dinosaurs. Turns out, the ‘archaeoraptor’ was just a gluedtogether hodgepodge of fossils from different species. The head and upper body belonged to a type of primitive bird, the tail belonged to a small winged dinosaur, and the original owner of the legs and feet remains unknown.
WORDS BY JORDAN TRUONG IMAGE BY ZHEN ZHONG
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FAKE NEWS & CONSPIRACY THEORIES
The Truth in Conspiracies and Why That Matters More Conspiracy theories have saturated popular culture and
Events such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks, celebrity deaths,
become hugely popular in recent years, especially with the
and horrific murders are among some of the most popular
rise of the internet, as it allows anyone with a connection
when it comes to the explosion of conspiracies, despite
to publish their own theory on just about anything.
them all involving death and loss, which are the most
However, conspiracy theories have been around for over
important factors to not just remember but to respect.
50 years and from what many come to understand as history - rather than just being speculation, they cross a line
A popular category of conspiracies makes claims that
and become fact in one person’s understanding of events.
some celebrities were secretly murdered, with their deaths being covered up. Most famously Marilyn
The popularity of conspiracies is something that makes
Monroe’s, Bruce Lee’s and Jimi Hendrix’s deaths are
sense for many people because of the fact that, regardless
those that many feel were covered up, with the truth
of the content and subject of individual theories, they are
actually being that either government officials, Chinese
all simply narratives. Since the early days of our lives we are
mafia, or talent managers were behind their early
surrounded by stories - be that those read to us at bedtime
demises. Other popular beliefs that surround allegedly
or the ones we are fed on TV - that work to entertain. As we
dead celebrities are that they were announced to
grow older, narratives become a way to make sense of the
have died only to lead a quiet life away from the fame,
world, especially when explaining certain aspects of life to
something that many believe is true for Elvis Presley,
younger children. By the time we become adults, we can
Tupac Shakur, and Steve Jobs, amongst many others.
then appreciate the way narratives work to both provide entertainment and as a way of understanding the world.
Marilyn Monroe’s death, despite it happening over 50 years ago, still stirs a response from many fans of her
It is therefore no surprise that people love conspiracy
films and career. Many believe that she was murdered
theories, and love to be a part of promoting them as fact
on the orders of Robert F. Kennedy as they had an
or adding to them by offering a new way of thinking.
alleged affair that she was taking too seriously, and
Whilst this can be relatively acceptable for conspiracies
because with that information she wanted to cause a
surrounding whether or not one celebrity singer has been
scandal. Years later, more information was released
replaced by a look-alike (Paul McCartney, Avril Lavigne),
and people speculated that either the FBI or CIA were
if Shakespeare really did write his plays, or whether the
behind the young actress’ death. Though the official
Illuminati are really controlling many celebrities’ minds,
report states that she died due to an accidental overdose
it is important to remember the facts in more devastating
of barbiturates, people are reluctant to accept this as
and serious events that are shrouded by conspiracies.
reports from those that first responded to her death said
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FAKE NEWS
LIFESTYLE her body looked ‘staged’ and questioned why, if she had
towers, there are still questions that are left unanswered
overdosed on pills, there not a glass of water nearby.
and perpetuate the theories that this was an inside job.
Tupac’s death at the age of 24 was one that shocked
Despite the numerous celebrity deaths and major acts
people across America and is still classed a tragedy to
of devastation that occur over the years, what is key to
this day, but many believe that his death was faked and
remember is the loss that is central to these events. Although
that he is alive, but living life away from the fame of his
conspiracies work as a narrative to help people make sense
rapping career. Although reports state that 14 rounds
of things that happen and to allow them to feel satisfied as
were shot into the car where Tupac was a passenger,
to why something occurs in the way it does, the loss that
only four hit the rapper and many state this to be one
families and friends suffer when people die, whether they
of the reasons that there is more to this story. Multiple
were celebrities or not, is real and incredibly saddening.
photos have surfaced over the past 20 years that depict Tupac allegedly living his life in many areas of the
Rather than focus on multiple theories, many would settle
world, including Cuba (2004), Sweden (2014) and New
with a version of the truth, be that the official report or
Jersey (2017), with the most recent reports stating
their own beliefs, because that gives them the reason
that he is hiding out in Somalia with Outlawz rapper,
for such a saddening event and allows for closure. In
Yaki Kadafi, who died three months after Tupac.
that sense, those that perpetuate conspiracies need to remember the suffering at their centre and respect that
More sinister and devastating conspiracies that are
more than the stories. Conspiracy theories will never
hugely popular are those that surround the events of
cease to be part of popular culture, and these days they
September 11th and the horrific terrorist attacks that
saturate everything, so the aim isn’t to stop them but just
fell upon New York. From questions about why the
to advocate for respect above anything else. The deaths
hijacked aircraft weren’t intercepted by military air
at the centre of these events aren’t something that can be
forces, to those about the suspect way the buildings
questioned, for the most part, and remembering that the
collapsed in a way that appeared to resemble a controlled
truth in any conspiracy theory is what matters most and
demolition, and even those regarding the materials
what should be respected above anything else.
recovered after the crash and eventual collapse of the
CONSPIRACY THEORIES
WORDS BY ZARAH AKHAVAN-MOOSSAVI IMAGE BY GERD ALTMANN VIA PIXABAY
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FAKE NEWS & CONSPIRACY THEORIES
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FAKE NEWS
LIFESTYLE
HERSTORY: Women and Witchcraft Tudor and Stuart anxieties regarding witchcraft and the resulting steep rise in accusations against alleged 'witches' could be seen as one of history's biggest conspiracy theories, with witchcraft being used as a catalyst to justify internalised misogyny. When thinking of a witch, almost certainly the stereotypical image of an older, sinisterlooking lady comes to mind. Rarely would one immediately associate witchcraft with a man, showing how this idea of only women being witches has stood the test of time and is still being presented in many aspects of pop culture and permeating the minds of many. Upon looking at cases of accusations across Europe, 80% of witches were likely to be women, and in England a figure nearer 90% is likely, showing the gender imbalance of the accusations. Men were still accused of witchcraft, such as John Salmond, who had a career as a known witch which spanned twenty-seven years, but they still only made up a small amount, leading us to think... maybe this was all just one big conspiracy? There is definitely substance to the idea of this being a conspiracy established by men to enable them assert dominance over women, especially when taking into account context. The scapegoating of women as witches was possible and became effective only because there still existed in late medieval and post-Reformation Europe a powerful framework of demeaning beliefs regarding women. Certain scripture was very hostile towards women, shown by the examples of the Malleus Maleficarum of 1486 and A Treatise of Witchcraft, which were unsurprisingly written by men. It was also widely believed, having been derived from the means of their creation, that women were extremely frail as, according to the Bible, woman was made from the rib of a man. It was precisely because of such ‘feminine weaknesses’ and frailty, as presented in scripture and promoted by the church, that the Devil was believed to seek out women to be his agents and helpers. Additionally, the fact that England was under female rule, first by Mary I and then by Elizabeth I, also added to anxieties regarding female capability, power and authority that challenged the status quo. As a result, those who constructed the stereotypical witch image could easily capitalise upon the moral panics CONSPIRACY THEORIES
of the time, thus making the possible conspiracy a tough one to challenge in the contemporary context. Accusations were also something engaged in within the female sphere itself, giving women something to manipulate against other female opponents to assert their own power in this male-dominated society. Therefore, the possible conspiracy was perhaps one fuelled by women themselves, and not an attack from misogynists. In addition, poor, elderly women were frequently conflated with witchcraft due to their begging for charity, and consequently viewed as disruptive and suspicious by their neighbours. Their alleged ‘ugly’ appearance worsened the accusations, showing how the pressures placed on female appearance hark back to witchcraft just being one big misogynist conspiracy theory. There is a clear richness in the history of why women and witchcraft were and still are so interlinked, with many paths leading to the idea that the whole construction was simply a hostile conspiracy theory. The undertones of misogyny within scripture meant there were already foundations laid down for many women's quick demises, and with religion being such a key pillar and central to society, there was not much of a defense women could use against the hostility that was presented towards their gender. From a modern perspective, this was no doubt a conspiracy with layers of meaning behind it.
WORDS BY MARCO PRETARA IMAGE BY EMILY KILMARTIN
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FAKE NEWS & CONSPIRACY THEORIES
The Real Price of Brands
I thought moving to Southampton would be like moving into a Dickens novel. And whether you’ve been in Southampton for two years or two minutes, you know how funny that is. But that’s the kind of the point, isn’t it? When you move somewhere new, you’re filled with all kinds of hopes and expectations about where you’re going and who you’ll be when you get there. And if you’re moving from another country, those fantasies are just supersized. But even though Southampton doesn’t quite have the Victorian glamour I’d been dreaming of, it’s still found a special place in my heart for reasons I never anticipated. And if you’re an international student too, here’s a little teaser of what you have to look forward to. You’re Automatically Interesting (Not really). At least, I know I’m not interesting. But apparently no one else got the memo. Because it doesn’t matter if I’m in a taxi, in line at Sainsbury’s, or having a chat at the bus stop, somebody is going to ask me where I’m
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FAKE NEWS
INTERNATIONAL
Were the Moon Landings a Myth? Five decades on, some continue to question one of mankind’s most well-known achievements, but what leads people to believe the lunar landings were faked? On 20th July 1969, two men set foot on the moon setting a global record. The space flight that landed them there, Apollo 11 celebrated the end of the space race for the US. Yet, half a century later, we find ourselves still surrounded by doubters - those who believe the moon landing is a hoax. Perhaps to understand one of the most popular conspiracy theories we must look at the possible explanations for why moon landings could be a tale of fiction. The most common theory is that filmmaker Stanley Kubrick with the help of NASA filmed the historic footage of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landing on the moon in a studio. During this period, Kubrick’s film 2001: A Space Odyssey had already been released for a year. The film displayed that there was technology available at the time to artificially construct a spacelike set. What people noticed the most about 2001 was the striking special effects, it seemed to look more natural than the footage of the actual moon landings from lighting to the use of actual objects on set. To many conspiracy theorists, this seems to confirm that Kubrick could have staged the real event as he had already created such a realistic masterpiece. The reasoning behind the conspiracy does not stop here, many theorists have pointed out factors such as the flag blowing in the wind when there is supposedly no wind on the Moon. Some have suggested that the lighting in the footage comes from a spotlight as the shadows don’t look normal and there are no stars in the background. There are many ideas like this that justify the moon landing hoax theory. However, further research from astrophysicists and even astronauts clearly provides a valid explanation for many of these statements. British astronaut Tim Peake explains why stars are not visible in the
CONSPIRACY THEORIES
background of photographs or footage from space, “Earth is so bright that it swamps out most if not all of the stars. The stars don’t show up because the camera cannot gather enough of their light in a short exposure.” Other evidence also refers to the brightness of the surface of the Moon which appears even brighter in images. The flag blowing has been attributed to it being rotated by astronauts whilst they put it in to better dig in to the moon soil leading to the flag flapping in the footage. There is ample evidence supporting the fact that humans did land on the Moon numerous times between 1969 and 1972. The most significant proof includes hundreds of moon rocks brought back by astronauts which have been studied and verified by scientists for years. The real question is, despite the vast amount of scientific evidence and information available to us from NASA experts and so on, why do statistics like one in six British people agree that ‘the moon landings were staged’ exist? The most obvious reason seems to be the influence of media and popular culture, Fox News documentaries and films like Capricorn One (1978) which portrays a faked human landing on Mars have contributed to the idea that space travel is a myth. Certainly, the many TV and film references over the years plus the televised debates gives legitimacy to the conspiracy. It leads to people questioning whether such a phenomenon could occur, perhaps highlighting the potency of the media in our lives. People would much rather believe what they see on television and social media than factual evidence.
WORDS BY SIMRAN MANN IMAGE BY FRANCES ROSE
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FAKE NEWS & CONSPIRACY THEORIES
Trump, Fake News and the Media WORDS BY HENRY SHAH IMAGE BY PHOTO BY DARREN HALSTEAD ON UNSPLASH main adversary would be the mainstream media, as they would not shy away from holding the President to account.
We are now less than a year away from the 2020 US Presidential Election. For the past 4 years - and even before his election - President Trump has fought a constant battle with the media over their treatment of him both as President and Republican Candidate. His war of words has consistently fueled the flames of the accusations of ‘Fake News’. The President is convinced that the press are out to get him. To explore this further, we must begin with the President’s inauguration. After critics pointed out that the numbers attending the event were much less than that of his predecessor Barack Obama, the Trump administration sent out new press secretary Sean Spicer to prove (or, in this instance, say) otherwise. In his first White House press briefing, Spicer was adamant that the crowd who had attended the inauguration was ‘the largest to ever witness an inauguration, period.’ Spicer would then be backed up by Trump’s aide Kellyanne Conway who, when pressed on the issue by NBC’s Chuck Todd, stated that Spicer was not lying but instead used ‘alternative facts’. This phrase was branded Orwellian, a clear sign of the government looking to control and peddle an extremely dangerous narrative. Indeed Conway was confronted by Todd, who said that ‘alternative facts are just falsehoods’, created to mislead the public. Despite Conway later justifying her meaning as ‘alternative information’, it was clear that Trump’s 28
The war, that has failed to come to any sort of conclusion, intensified perversely with the investigation into the Trump campaign’s alleged collusion with the Russian Government. News outlets such as CNN and the New York Times, branded ‘enem[ies] of the people’ by President Trump, were adamant of the President’s guilt and eagerly anticipated the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report. The report found no collusion, allowing Mr Trump to declare himself ‘vindicated’. CNN’s Jim Acosta, in questioning the President’s links to Russia, was branded ‘The Fake News Guy’ by the President’s aide and son-inlaw Jared Kushner, and even saw his press pass revoked during a clash with the President during a press conference. This was later overturned, but did nothing to alleviate the tensions surrounding Mr Trump’s Fake News frenzy. Recently, the impeachment process against the President has brought about a new wave of allegations of Fake News against both the Media and Democrats. The accusations that the President pressured his Ukranian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky into investigating the corruption of Hunter Biden, the son of Democrat and ex Vice-President Joe Biden, have once again been portrayed as nothing other than a complete falsehood by the President. He declared on Twitter that the Fake News accusations against him ‘never ends’. The Republican-controlled Senate, who at the time of writing look set to easily acquit the President, is his main ally as he fights on two fronts to legitimise his presidency. However, with CNN reporting 4th February 2020 that the President’s approval rating is edging towards 50% for the first time since his 2017 inauguration, it appears that he is not only winning his war against the media, but also is looking more likely to emerge victorious as he looks to extend his stay in the White House for another 4 years.
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C O N S P I R AC Y H O T S P O T S F O R T H O S E WHO MARVEL IN THE UNKNOWN WORDS BY SOPHIE OLVER IMAGE BY GLENN CARSTENS-PETERS ON UNSPLASH Our planet is home to many spectacular and mysterious constructions and places, some ahead of their time, others too complex for explanation. Rather than your average holiday, why not take an adventure to a conspiracy hotspot? Whether you’re a conspiracy theorist, or just intrigued into how anyone could ever believe these theories, check out these eight destinations that marvel in the unknown. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt Over 4,500 years old and located in Giza, Egypt’s famous pyramids rise from the desert as monumental tombs for ancient pharaohs and queens. Made up of millions of precisely placed sculpted stones, weighing at least two tons each, many wonder how these magnificent structures were built. Searching for an explanation, some turn to aliens, others to time travel or levitation; the speed of light and the geographic coordinates for the Great Pyramid align. Although these tombs were constructed by the many hands of an advanced civilisation, why not explore the endless conspiracy of these immense wonders yourself? Nazca Lines, Peru Believed to be around two millennia old and over eighthundred miles long when combined, these white lines, accompanied by three-hundred geometric shapes and seventy animal and plant figures, including a spider and hummingbird, are randomly etched into the Peruvian desert, 250 miles from Lima. Although local museums explain how the ancient pre-Inca people carved these geoglyphs, because of their age, size and precision, many believe that aliens drew them. Exactly why they were made is unknown; some say they aligned with constellations, others with ritual sites related to water and fertility. Take a flight, climb the nearby observation tower, or hike up surrounding foothills to view these worthwhile phenomena. 30
Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany Ingolstadt in Bavaria is known for its Audi Forum and classic cars museum, but unknown to the typical tourist is the city’s relation to the Illuminati. In 1776, university professor Adam Weishaupt founded the secret society to oppose religious influences on society and foster a space for free speech, yet within a decade Bavarian authorities shut it down. Since then, the Illuminati has become fuel for the world’s greatest conspiracies, and many still believe that Ingolstadt remains a topsecret meeting place for powerful Illuminati members, including Beyoncé and Madonna. Ingolstadt is a perfect destination for true conspiracy theorists. Area 51, Nevada, USA Area 51 in the Nevada desert is a United States Airforce facility situated eighty-three miles north of Las Vegas. Yet, the site’s secretive nature has led some to believe that Area 51 is researching and experimenting on aliens and their spacecraft. Although Area 51 is permanently closed to the public, drive down the Extra-Terrestrial Highway and visit the nearby town of Rachel to immerse yourself in extra-terrestrial discussion with the local community. Tour guides will take you to lookout points where you can get an aerial glimpse inside the base, watch parties stake out for UFO sightings, and there are plenty of alien-themed outposts. Stonehenge, Salisbury, UK Constructed around five-thousand years ago, Stonehenge is England’s famous stone monument, yet how the stones, each averaging at thirteen feet tall and twenty-five tons, arrived there is a mystery. In the Middle Ages, myths arose that a giant brought the stones from Africa to Ireland, and then using magic the wizard Merlin transported the stones to Salisbury. More recently, however, some people FAKE NEWS
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have attributed the construction to aliens and spacecraft landing pads. Nonetheless, scientists have discovered more plausible theories, including Stonehenge as a burial site or celestial observatory, upholding that ancient civilisations had the right construction tools. At only an hour’s drive from Southampton, take a look for yourself. Washington, USA Supposedly standing at seven to nine feet tall and weighing between six-hundred and nine-hundred pounds, Bigfoot has stirred many conspiracy theories. Some think this hairy giant is related to humans, others think it is an extraterritorial-being or giant ground sloth. Although there have been Bigfoot sightings all over the US, Washington currently records the highest total at 2,032, according to Newsweek in May 2019. If you are a true conspiracy theorist, Washington companies host overnight forest camping trips, where you’ll search for Bigfoot at night. Other companies offer multi-day Bigfoot tours across multiple states. Easter Island, Chile
to ninety-two tons and on average thirteen feet tall, over one-thousand years ago, is a mystery. Conspiracy also surrounds the Rapa Nui people; supposedly, the figures were sculpted to commemorate the dead and the population came to an end through a self-made environmental disaster. Easter Island is one of the most remote places on Earth and flights are limited, but once there, you can take an island tour for both convenience and insider perspective. Loch Ness, Scotland Rooted in Scottish folklore, the conspiracy theory of the Loch Ness Monster, an unknown creature inhabiting Loch Ness waters in the Scottish Highlands, came to worldwide attention in 1933 after the Inverness Courier reported sightings of a ‘beast’ or ‘whale-like fish’. Although dismissed by many as a mixture of hoaxes and wishful thinking, why not visit to make up your own mind? Only half an hour from Inverness, a road trip or hike through the Loch Ness region is a must for those wanting a break from urban life. Why not spice up your average holiday with a place of conspiracy found across the globe? Take a break from real life and marvel in the unknown.
Spread around Easter Island is a fleet of nearly ninehundred large moai stone figures. But how the Rapa Nui constructed and transported these figures, weighing up
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The Myths of Denver Airport
Denver Airport is one of the most weird and intriguing airports in the world, in my opinion. The airport, which opened in 1995, is twice as large as Manhattan and cost $2 billion over budget, hosting weird murals, odd layouts and a bizarre structure. Most frightening of all is the 32-foot-tall blue horse sculpture with glowing red eyes, named Blue Mustang, which killed its sculpturer by falling on top of him and severing an artery! There are loads of conspiracy theories surrounding the airport- here are just a few of them: It Was Built by Nazis Once of the most prominent signs used as evidence by those who believe this conspiracy is a mural by the airport baggage claim. It contains the horrific image of a skeleton dressed in Nazi-esque uniform wielding a massive knife and gun, mouth open in a wordless scream. Look it up if you don’t believe me. The mural also depicts a line of what seems to be grieving women and cowering children. Leo Tanguma, the mural’s creator, has claimed that it is supposed to promote world peace and harmony, but I’m not sure he knows what that looks like. There are also those who see a swastika when looking at an aerial photo of the airport buildings, another clue towards Nazi involvement. Finally, there were plaques surrounding the airport stating it was funded by the New Order Airport Commission, a group that doesn’t seem to exist. This has led some to believe that the Airport was actually funded by the New World Order, a rumoured secret totalitarian world government.
instead buried beneath the current building, which would also account for some of the major budgetary issues. This, it is argued, has allowed room for an underground headquarters for the Illuminati in America’s largest airport. This feels like a distinct stretch for me personally, but I guess they were motivated by the amazing flight connections. It’s Home to Lizard People Similarly to the last conspiracy theory, there are people who believe that lurking in underground tunnels and bunkers are giant humanoid lizards. One of the main reasons for the airport’s delayed opening was their failed automated luggage system, which involved creating lots of tunnels and cost lots of money but is still not in use. There are those who believe that this space is now occupied by the giant lizards and leads to giant bunkers. There are also those who believe that these bunkers are reserved for billionaires for the apocalypse, so hopefully they’ll be fine with reptilian friends. Denver Airport has recently started embracing the numerous theories surrounding the building, with their new construction signs showing Illuminati in hard hats and lizards in business wear whilst asking some hard-hitting questions like: ‘Construction? Or cover up?’ And ‘Are we creating the world’s greatest airport? Or preparing for the end of the world?’ The chances are we’ll never know the answer to these, but one thing is clear: please think before you mural.
It’s the HQ for the Illuminati The airport was dedicated on the 19/3/1994 and if you add all those individual numbers, leaving out March (i.e. 1+9+1+9+9+4) you get 33 which is apparently the highest degree achievable in freemasonry. There are also reportedly several plaques show the Masonic squares and compass squares. Some believe that the five previous attempts to build the airport were not destroyed but
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Surviving The Apocalypse: A Beginner’s Guide
Although we weren’t taken out by the Millenium bug and are somehow still alive after 2012, it’s only a matter of time before ‘expert’ Alex Jones predicts the next, 'genuine' apocalypse. As they say, you can never be too prepared, so make sure you carefully follow our beginner’s guide - the survival of humanity is in our hands, after all. 1. Build a bunker. Find a good spot for a bunker, and get digging. If you don’t have a forest nearby, building a bunker in your garden will do the trick. Don’t worry about your neighbours asking if you’re quite alright - they’re the ones that will feel stupid when the apocalypse finally hits and you’re watching it all from the safety of your hole in the ground. 2. Get some hobbies. If you have time to be prepping your bunker, you probably have quite a lot of free time on your hands. Why not get a hobby now, such as carpentry, so you can be helpful when the time comes to rebuild society? Alternatively, join a society like Boldrewood Tunnel Soc to get some tips ready for life underground. Just make sure you don’t make any friends who might want a share of your valuable supplies. 3. Whip out the unlubricated condoms A survivalist’s best friend, unlubricated condoms have a whole host of uses - from being great water carriers to providing foot protection. Just make sure not to use them instead of lubricated ones when you get lucky - nobody appreciates chafing while they run away from the crazed masses. 4. Make sure you have a weapon.
6. Make sure you have plenty of alcohol stockpiled. It’s all well and good being prepared, but what’s the point of it all if you can’t have a good time while you watch the world burn? Not only is it great for disinfecting wounds, but a nice bottle of vodka is a great way to numb the pain when you’re suddenly struck by the inevitability of your death. 7. Pack plenty of pet food. Well, you’ll want to keep poor Fido alive for as long as possible before you eventually have to eat him, won’t you?
Don’t worry about not knowing how to use it - as we all know from zombie films, being in the midst of an apocalypse will suddenly make you a gun expert - no experience necessary! 5. Light some candles. Not just great for when the power’s out, lighting candles is a great way to feel more zen when people are trying to break your door down or you’re having your nice monthly bath in the same water as you’re drinking.
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IT’S JUST YOU BECAUSE IT’S NOT HOT IN HERE: A GUIDE TO CLIMATE CHANGE DENIAL ‘Have you done something new with your hair?’, the sun to 2019. In their research, they found that the global average asks. He looks at you directly in the eyes, piercing into temperature had increased by 0.2°C within that period. That your soul as though it’s just another ozone layer. Sol, is not much hotness. The report also found that CO2 growth Helios, Herr Sonne. You’ve seen him before. He’s special. rates are nearly 20% higher than they were five years ago. Around the time that the sun was giving you the eyes, However, that’s only an extra 66ml if the carbonation was in everything felt hotter. Romantic disbelievers claim it’s a can rather than the atmosphere - a pitiful amount. ‘How a result of climate change. You laugh, that’s not the real about the devastating Australian bushfires? How can global reason. It’s obvious - the sun has got a crush on you. warming be denied when this is happening?’ As claimed by The Telegraph, the bushfires were ‘fuelled by a combination Followers of the apparent natural sciences have begun of extreme heat, prolonged drought and strong winds.’ Only to brainwash the entire planet, using ‘proven facts’ to one of those factors even mentions hot things. Case. Closed. show that increased global temperatures are due to the intense and overwhelming release of greenhouse gases Climate denial is real and pure and 100% well-reasoned. into the atmosphere. This is not correct. The only thing US President and ‘environmentalist’, Donald Trump, humanity is responsible for is attracting the affections has previously Tweeted some very anti-climate-change of something equally as hot. If the sun has a crush on content.
His expert theorising can be seen where he
over 7.5 billion people, it’s going to create a lot of heat. simply states that climate change is a conspiracy that was The world is not getting hotter, but the people on it are. ‘created by the Chinese.’ Trump may have retracted this comment, but that doesn’t change the truth behind it. As well as believing that a celestial body has a crush on humans, climate deniers can prove their theories with There’s no denying that things are certainly heating up in here, some science. One idea is that people feel temperatures and I for one would much rather face the truth of planetary in different ways. Some people can’t sleep with a affections than the perceived global crisis. However, if this blanket on, some have to bravely stick a leg out from makes you nervous, just remember that once the sun finds underneath, and still others insist on being smothered someone else to crush on, things will become far less intense. in layers. Therefore, it is silly to suggest that global But if that’s not the case, go find yourself a nice open patch of warming is even a valid concept, as it cannot be true scorched earth to lie on and prepare to be smothered by love, that every part of the world, just like the people on it, because it’s not going to get any better. will feel the heat in the same way. It can then, therefore, be concluded that global warming is not a measure of temperature, but instead the vapid narcissism of humanity. ‘But what about all the indicators of climate change?’,
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I hear you ask. These can all be easily addressed, and consequently
denied.
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