BBC 911: The Conspiracy Files - Excellent documentary.

                                 

 The possibility of real conspiracies cannot be ignored.                                       

However, as in all knowledge claims we must weigh the evidence of claims and counterclaims in our search for the truth.                                                               

 Conspiracy theories flourish on the internet. However, critical thinkers must look at the evidence, look at the sources of these conspiracy claims. "Loose Change" and the so called "911 Truth Movement" are excellent examples of confirmation bias. Many in the Arab World echo these American theories rather than accept that people from their community committed mass murder. Where is Mohammed Atta? His father, a lawyer in Cairo initially denied that his son could have been involved but in subsequent interviews sought to justify the attacks.                                                                           

 The Conspiracy theorists take quotations out of context or  edit interviews to manipulate snippets out of context. The psychological basis of these theories may be a mixture of many factors. The desire for notoriety, the refusal to accept that horrible events may be caused by relatively minor individuals. The public assassination of JFK by the nerdy Lee Harvey Oswald, the murders in New York, masterminded by an extremist in a cave in Afghanistan. The death of Princess Diana in a horrible accident is so shocking that some people prefer to claim that she was murdered by her own government. 

Why? Because as T.S. Eliot wrote:

"Humankind cannot bear too much reality."       

Tragic events provoke a sense of outrage, incomprehension and unfairness in many people.        

Conspiracy theories offer a neat explanation of sinister elites who rule the world and conspiracy theorists become imbued with a mission to spread their version of the 'truth'.                                                                                  

 Serious thinkers always follow the evidence and when it conflicts look at the sources and the authority and academic qualifications of those sources. For further aspects, students might look at the "Moon Landing Hoax" influenced by the Hollywood film "Capricorn One". In the 1950s Hollywood films fueled the UFO sightings across the USA. At the very least, the ability of the conspiracy theorists to broadcast their views is a sign that democracy works. Freedom of speech is protected, even when the views expressed are not supported by the facts.