“Draft:Mad Science and Hidden Knowledge Conspiracy Theories”的意思、由来-开放百科全书

are conspiracy theories that questions or challenges facts that are conventionally accepted to be correct and known in the scientific community. Because of the broadness of this topic, numerous theories usually overlap other themes. Examples of theories that overlap with this topic are the allegations of the existence of extraterrestrial life, global domination, intelligence communities’ involvement in the creation of mind-controlled slaves, and Nazi Germany's production of powerful weapons.

HISTORY

As stated in Conspiracy Theories by Aaron John Gulyas mad science and hidden knowledge conspiracy theories are mostly rooted from allegations of an elite group hiding scientific and forbidden knowledge from the public. The book also suggests that the theories have perpetrators just like any other stories and that the perpetrators are classified into two groups such as “those who make use of hidden knowledge to increase their power and influence [and]... the vast array of scientists, historians, and other scholars who theorists allege are concealing the truth about science medicine, or human history”^[1].

EXAMPLES

Climate Change

Many conspiracy theories claim that the government and global elites are using climate change to attain their goal of depopulating the world. They suggest that global warming and natural calamities are actually not due to natural causes. For example, various people claim that the United Nation’s true agenda is not aiding the world but to decrease its population and take over the countries. Irvin Baxter, founder and president of Endtime Ministries, suggests that the UN is using the global warming phenomenon to scare people and accomplish its goal. David Risselada, a writer at the freedom outpost, describes Agenda 21, a UN project, as a “human depopulation agenda” and that its goal is to take away people’s rights and “control us like cattle” ^[2].

Another government program conspirators blame for climate change is the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP). HAARP, a government program by the Office of the Naval Research and Air Force Research Laboratory, aims to study Earth’s Ionosphere and “inject energy” in it to have control over it. Because of that, conspiracy theorists hold HAARP accountable for climate change and extreme weather conditions like hurricanes and drought. They also accuse HAARP of planning to speed up the melting of the glaciers in order to benefit the United States. Highland 1, a poster on The One Truth internet forum, also implicates that the government plans to destroy the world’s food supply by ordering HAARP to manipulate the weather and create floods. The poster also suggests that President Obama is using the government program to create “natural calamities” to decrease the human population.

AIDS/HIV

Along with climate change, conspiracy theorists also insists that global elites use epidemic diseases like HIV/AIDS as a means of depopulation. Some believe that HIV and AIDS were created by the CIA in order to kill African Americans and Homosexuals. While others, like G.J. Krupey, links the military section to the creation of AIDS/HIV. Surveys also present that 53.4% of people believe that the cure for HIV/AIDS is being withheld by the government to the public.

Apollo 11

Various conspiracy theories claim that the Apollo 11 or the landing on the moon was fake. Many believe that humans never set foot on the moon and that everything people see is staged with the help of Stanley Kubrick, a filmmaker and director of the film 2001: A Space Odessey ^[3]. Some also point out the “waving” American flag and argue that it is impossible as there is no wind on the moon. David Meade, the main purveyor of the planet X thesis, claims that it is impossible for humans not to be affected with a lethal dose of radiation and get past the radiation zone called Van Allen Zone as it seems like Apollo 11 was not built to shield the astronauts for an excessive amount of radiation ^[4].

CRITICISM

Aaron John Gulyas, the author of Conspiracy theories, argues that Hodge’s claim is far from reality. His choice of words is designed to exaggerate his claims. Gulyas also believes that Hodge “ [didn’t] define Agenda 21” but instead associated it with words to describe global domination and depopulation ^[5].

The HIV/AIDS phenomenon has also been criticized as a hoax. As social activists demand action against the epidemic, findings and solid information has been developed to ease the anxiety of people towards the disease

^[6]. Preventative measures have also been found and taught to the public such as safe sex, use of sterile needles, regular testings, and preventative medicines.

Explanations on doubts about the Apollo 11 and moon landing was also provided to contradict such conspiracy theories. The American flag was said to be inserted with a stiff wire to make it look like the flag was waving. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) also clarified that there is no danger of radiation exposure because the Van Allen Zone had a minimal amount of radiation, therefore, it is harmless. It was confirmed by the dosimeter of the Apollo astronauts who recorded too little radiation to be lethal ^[7].