Crazy conspiracy theories – just like disinformation – spell trouble for serious UFO research
| In an interview on the television program “UFO Hunters” former astronaut Edgar Mitchell asserts that the U.S. government, for years, has purposely released information on the topic of UFOs that is expressly designed to keep serious UFO investigators chasing their tails. According to Mitchell, by releasing small amounts of factual information combined with even larger doses of bogus and misleading information the U.S. government has endeavored to derail any serious, scholarly investigation of the subject. Mitchell describes it all as a cleverly orchestrated program of disinformation which results in “aspersions” being cast upon UFO investigators and the topic in general. |
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If investigators can be seen arguing among themselves, and, chasing false lead down blind alleys it’s much more likely that the general public will see the subject as nothing more than some sort of silly, urban myth. And that is something which, in the opinion of many, the U.S. government would prefer.
And if the government is conspiring to cover up the truth about UFOs and extraterrestrial life the new wave of “conspiracy madness“, which has been sweeping the airwaves and the internet, may serve – much like a government disinformation campaign – to cast real conspiracies into disrepute. It’s a matter, essentially, of guilt by association. Unfortunately, suggest a government conspiracy regarding any subject and many immediately presume the message is likely the ravings of a lunatic. No one has helped to further this perception more than Alex Jones.
Alex Jones: everything is a conspiracy
It’s doubtful that anyone reading this has not heard of Alex Jones. In early 2013 his interview with Piers Morgan on CNN, regarding gun control, made headlines. Piers Morgan, failing to get more than two dozen words in edgewise, allowed the interview to degenerate into something more on the order of a maniacal tirade from an apparently bi-polar, clinically paranoid Alex Jones. Wild-eyed and tangential Jones was essentially left to free-associate on a host of subjects (including, but not limited to, gun control) while loudly proclaiming himself to be a “defender of The Republic” and painting himself – gosh darnit – as a real, bona fide, American hero. Jones, not surprisingly, found the time to attack Morgan’s status as a real American (since he’s an immigrant from the UK), and, eventually even challenged Morgan to a boxing match (seriously). His delivery was as absurdly melodramatic as it was contentious, barking like some sort of Neanderthal man on crystal meth. His most lucid moment appeared to be when he looked straight at the camera, with a smile, to give directions to his web site (Infowars.com). Gotta pay those darned bills, right Alex….?
Just as prospectors, in the 1800’s would shout, “There’s gold in them thar hills” Alex Jones knows, now, that there’s gold in those crazy conspiracy theories. While he paints himself as someone who “rails against the machine”, a champion for truth and the little guy, he’s raking in millions. In 2011 his radio show had a larger listening audience than Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck combined. It would seem that Alex Jones is a part of the machine, a raging capitalist who will say and do anything to make money. Shortly after his appearance on CNN he taped a video piece from his hotel in New York. In a whisper Jones leaned into the camera and did everything short of say goodbye to his family as he explained that he and his crew were being tailed by Bloomberg’s “goons”, and, suggested to listeners that he would likely never leave the city alive. Apparently, despite the best efforts of Bloomberg’s hit squad Jones slipped through their fingers and made it home just fine – and one more of Jones’ dire predictions proved to be wrong.
Even the snakes have snakes under their beds…
Certainly Jones isn’t the only individual who promotes oddball – if not completely crazy – conspiracy theories. But while most conspiracy buffs choose to highlight a particular conspiracy, Jones’ world is a dizzying house of mirrors in which he seems to suggest that virtually everything that happens is the consequence of a conspiracy. Jones’ world is one where dangerous, pernicious subterfuge lives at the bottom of literally every news item. It’s a place where even the snakes, one begins to feel, have more snakes under their beds.
Name on oddball conspiracy theory, and, if it wasn’t the brainchild of Alex Jones he likely gives it his endorsement. Along with his kooky iteration of the “911 conspiracy” (not only was it a conspiracy, but there were no planes – they were missiles) Jones’ web site recently featured page after page in which it attempted to prove that the Sandy Hook School Massacre was a “false flag” operation, and, that the parents and first responders were all actors. Indeed, it doesn’t get much wackier than Alex Jones.
Jones is also a prolific predictor of future events and conspiracies, too (the fact that he’s almost invariably wrong doesn’t seem to bother his devotees). The following video recently appeared on YouTube, highlighting some of Jones’ daffier theories, and, his complete failure as an oracle through which we might all glimpse the future:
