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
