*No Intelligent Life Here*

The Rational and Irrational

Let’s face it the world as we know it today is in complete chaos. Not that there has ever been a time period with little to no order, but it is extremely evident that the recent social and political climates have caused quite the change, both figuratively and literally. And so, conspiracy theories remain on the rise! How else will the insanity be tackled? Honestly in today’s society the weekly “conspiracy” headlines don’t appear too off base from reality. Interestingly enough, two separate articles this week bore titles questioning the “intelligence” of those who identify as conspiracy theorists or dare to at least believe in them.
Mainstream Media says Conspiracy Theories are not for Rational Thinkers
The first article by Inverse Science: https://www.inverse.com/article/38403-conspiracy-theory-intelligence-rationality is entitled, “Even Highly Intelligent People Believe Conspiracy Theories, Say Scientists.” The subheading reads: “About 12 million of you believe in lizard people.” The article goes on to discuss how “tricky” the concept of conspiracies is as some have been proven true. In the past researchers were able to separate reasonable thinkers from conspiracy theorists due to their higher cognitive and analytical abilities. It appears that now those lines have been more blurred than before as a recent study has shown “people with high cognitive ability are just as likely to believe in conspiracies and paranormal phenomena as people with lower cognitive ability.” The article makes the ultimate argument that intelligence doesn’t equal rationality. So, could this mean conspiracy theories are always irrational? There is no straightforward or black and white answer to this question.
Time Magazine released an article this week with a similar title: “Why Smart People Still Believe Conspiracy Theories” http://time.com/5023383/conspiracy-theories-reasons-believe/. According to the author Jeffrey Kluger, millions of Americans believe in conspiracy theories… even those who should “know better.” A study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences has provided a new outlook on why, so many people believe conspiracies: because they “want” to believe. This study came to the same conclusions as the one discussed in the first article by Inverse Science, “the fact is that so many people in the studies score high on all of the rational and intellectual metrics and yet nonetheless subscribe to disproven theories.” This article ends on a similar note as the first, arguing that we as people cannot just think analytically, but must rise above to rational thought processes, specifically ones that don’t subscribe to the “silliness” of conspiracy theories.
It’s the End of the World…Again!
It appears that many internet conspiracy theorists can’t get enough of the planetary object known as: Nibiru. Another article by Inverse Science: https://www.inverse.com/article/38437-nibiru-wont-end-world-november-19 not only debunks this theory( which in all honesty is not difficult to dispute seeing as I am still typing this because the world has NOT ended). Nevertheless, the article does give a brief description of what this conspiracy is and how long it has been around: “The idea is that a large planetary object called Nibiru will strike Earth in the 21st century, killing all life as we know it. Though the hoax has been around since the ‘90s, it’s gotten so out of hand that recently, tabloids have started reporting that Nibiru might be responsible for the apocalypse, which is on November 19, for some reason.” Well clearly November 19 came and went without utter destruction from this so-called doomsday planet: Nibiru. There is a painstakingly amount of evidence that proves this planet or object of sorts does not exist, though it has been a widely talked about topic this week in the realm of conspiracy theories. This seems to be a yearly routine as every September, October, November, and December, the world is always “ending.”
Fueling the Conspiracies
Whenever news breaks of someone or something involved in unusual or unexplained circumstances, the conspiracies start rolling in. Conspiracy theories were once seemingly innocent and crazy ideas, suggesting that famous deaths were actually murders, and that several historical events have been government cover-ups. Now with the age of modern technology, mainly the Internet, conspiracy theories have become sort of powerful entities, even breaking into mainstream media and culture. Granted, it is obvious based on the majority of articles published that popular media still does not view conspiracy theories as a subject to be taken seriously. Could this possible be a government or illuminati driven motive to deter the public from paying attention to conspiracies because they are true? Hmmm…

Image Credit: © Touchstone Pictures still shot taken from M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs.

Do You Believe?

Image created using Canva: https://www.canva.com/design/DACjTxZZs0U/u938f4uyVe2EMjDJhCK5Rw/edit?category=tACFakxKulQ Licensed under:© 2017 Copyright Canva

Sticking to the overall “creepy” and mysterious theme that coincides with the topic of conspiracy theories I created an image that envelopes those qualities. Using a free image from Canva I knew this photo would resonate with an audience that consists of lovers of conspiracy theories, mysteries, and the unknown. The image itself is a bit strange and has an eerie aura to it as something you wouldn’t expect to see. The font I used is one typically associated with horror films or mystery novels, allowing for the perfect “spooky” tone that I want it to have. Before selecting an image or design I already knew I wanted to employ the colors black, white, and red which luckily I was able to achieve! The white font I used was mostly based on clarity in relation to the background, while the red is mainly for greater emphasis and “fear” of conspiracy theories. I realize that the phrase : Do you believe? is widely used for a variation of topics, though I think the ominous tone of that question pairs nicely with the topic of conspiracy. Overall I wanted an image that didn’t have too much going on (I tried making a collage of strange/creepy photos at first) but instead focused on the dark and somewhat sinister aspect contained throughout the majority of conspiracy theories.

Murder, Mass Shooting,& more Mayhem..

Big Week in Conspiracy Theories:

Lately it appears the news has been riddled with more tragedy, specifically surrounding the recent events of the Las Vegas shooting and the death of Kenneka Jenkins. Both of these occurrences have drawn in mass speculation and conspiracy due to the odd and conspicuous circumstances involved. Throughout the past week online forums and mainstream media have been reporting on the events of the Las Vegas shooting, as well as the mysterious death of Kenneka Jenkins. Both topics have remained prevalent, especially in terms of conspiracy theories due to the unexplained and strange elements each case provides. While both events are extremely different from one another; one being a mass shooting and the other a suspicious death/murder, they share one thing in common: conspiracy. The case of the Las Vegas shooting is not as clear-cut as many forms of media proclaim, there are multiple loose ends within the case such as no clear motive, security protocol, and the odd “warning” several eye-witnesses claim to have gotten before the shooting started. Kenneka Jenkins’ death has officially been ruled as an accidental death, though this does not sit well with her family or the public as the evidence appears a bit too “coincidental”. Many are appalled with the theories circulating online because of the sensitive nature and the lives lost.

Las Vegas and the Unanswered Questions

Before the police could begin their investigation, the Internet was already ablaze with conspiracy theories surrounding the horrific mass shooting that took place on October 1st. Immediately there were claims of multiple shooters, Islamic terrorism, and political affiliations as the cause of the shooting. This article by Bethania Palma: http://www.snopes.com/2017/10/12/conspiracy-theories-las-vegas-mass-shooting/ illustrates a list of the various theories that began circulating once the news of the shooting broke. Due to the nature of this crime and the remarkable ability of the Internet, every question left unanswered soon becomes answered with a thrall of theorists who want to fill in the blanks. In this age of fast media and technology, the quicker the news spreads, the faster false information is able to travel. This of course presents trouble to those involved in the investigation as many times false reports have to be taken into account and looked into, taking time away from the reality of the situation. In times of mass hysteria and confusion, conspiracy theories are looked upon as a sort of comfort and relief to understanding the unknown. As stated earlier many of the conspiracy theories regarding the Las Vegas shooting fail to show any sort of empathy towards the victims and families affected, leading to the spread of more confusion, hatred, and fear. All things that are not needed during this time( or any time for that matter!)

Credit for this image goes to: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fredisonfire/23416778153 Image was cropped to fit within this blog post, no other changes made.

What Happened to Kenneka Jenkins?

As of early October the death of nineteen-year old Kenneka Jenkins has been officially ruled as “accidental.” She was found dead in the walk-in freezer of the Crowne Plaza hotel located in Chicago. The bizarre circumstance of her death resulted in a slew of conspiracy theories that all pointed to a possible murder. From rape, revenge, to being a victim of organ trafficking, the multitude of theories left the public in awe of what happened to this young girl. There are still an unhealthy amount of questions that have been avoided regarding her mysterious death, one of the most notable being the lack of surveillance footage and the fact that the motion detected cameras did not turn on to witness Kenneka walk into the freezer. The small portions of footage that are available show an incredibly dazed and disoriented Jenkins wandering through the hallways and ultimately the kitchen of the hotel. The fact that there remains no evidence of Jenkins going into the freezer on her own accord draws suspicion in that it is unknown how she ended up in the freezer. Although police have determined her death to be an accident after only conducting interviews with persons of interest, it does not appear any fingerprinting or DNA testing was done on the freezer door or surrounding areas. The lack of cooperation by the Crowne Plaza  in not handing over ALL the security footage raises a red flag… what could they be hiding? As of now no lawsuits have been filed against the hotel or the police, though the Jenkins family attorney has requested the remaining footage be released and all evidence to be preserved. Greater detail on the current status of the investigation and ruling can be found here: https://lasentinel.net/family-attorneys-continue-to-seek-justice-after-kenneka-jenkins-death-in-hotel-freezer-ruled-accident.html.

Will any of the Conspiracies be Proven True?

While the vast majority of theories online can be ruled off as far-fetched and ridiculous, there are a few instances where conspiracies have turned out to be true. While both of the tragic events discussed are still under investigation, there have been recent revelations involving rumors and conspiracies in Hollywood… Harvey Weinstein perhaps? Remember to avoid the blatantly false narratives, but always keep a little conspiracy in the theory…

 

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Conspiracy

After all my years venturing through the various depths of the internet, I recently came across a subject that I had always heard about but had never truly captivated my attention. Until now. Conspiracy theories have gained tremendous traction in the world of the web, with thousands of YouTube videos, blogs, and websites dedicated around the incredible multitude of theories that have been circulating for decades. Conspiracy theories used to hold a neutral connotation and only appeared to become a “disparaging” term around the 1960s, possibly due to the assassination of JFK.

So what exactly is a conspiracy theory? It is the notion that unexplained or mysterious events are conducted and subsequently covered up by the powerful, influential, yet covert organizations(the powers that be). Although the majority of these conspiracies and theorists are discounted as “paranoid” or “insane” there are a number of them that have been proven to be true (years after the event). Regardless of how popular culture may view conspiracies they remain a prevalent topic in a world of chaos and the depravity of mankind. Perhaps it is in our nature to need an explanation for everything. When you think about it the most infamous and widespread events and cases in history are those that are “unsolved.” The murder of JonBenet Ramsey and the killings conducted by an unknown serial killer labeled only as Jack the Ripper have become notorious subjects in the realm of conspiracy theories.

It could be claimed that they hold significance to us all within various aspects. The unknown is uncomfortable to our human nature. We live in a remarkable age of information and technology that allows us the capability of obtaining any answer to our questions at our fingertips. Thus is born the inherent need for conspiracy theories. We have to have an explanation for the unexplained. A somewhat logical or even illogical solution is better accepted than not knowing anything at all. Conspiracy theories open the door to the realm of possibility, the “What if?” that infiltrates our thoughts when pondering over the horrific, mysterious, or shocking events that have taken place throughout history and continue to this very day.

Image provided by: https://www.flickr.com/photos/raver_mikey/14626480810

 

I have become engrossed in this topic, listening to podcasts, and reading up on new conspiracies online. I find them fascinating due to the strange and somewhat terrifying factor that they could actually be true. In order to monitor this topic I am relying heavily on google alerts that I get with the term “conspiracy theory.” These notifications are linked to my email and I check them everyday on my iPhone, taking screenshots of articles that interest me, and reading them/taking notes on my laptop.

Conspiracy Theories in the News

The recent death of Kenneka Jenkins has resulted in dozens of conspiracy theories surrounding the mysterious circumstances in which she died. Social media has taken  ahold of this story; thus, creating a multitude of theories that have permeated mainstream media and news outlets. One article in particular entitled: “Kenneka Jenkins Conspiracy Theories on Social Media Are Helping No One,”( https://newsone.com/3748976/new-kenneka-jenkins-conspiracy-theories-social-media-not-helping/) bluntly points out the negative aspects of the outside world’s speculation on the developing case. The writer goes on to list various conspiracy theories, labeling  few as “plausible” while also pointing out many that “are far-fetched at best( like the one alleging a massive organ harvesting operation gone wrong”). The tone of the article is clearly informational and airs on the side of government officials who say such conspiracy  theories complicate matters because “every lead must be followed up.” Based on the sentiments expressed by those involved and/or working on the case the issue of conspiracy relies mainly on rationale. Statements made within the text such as: “It’s unfortunate that some of that stuff is convoluting the investigation,” asserts this reasoning. The writer remains on topic and illustrates a straightforward objective in explaining and negating the theories the internet has come up with.

Image provided by The Chicago Tribune.

 

Going through the various headlines involving the tragedy, many outlined the facts and updates except for one in particular entitled: “A Thorough Investigation Of The Insane Conspiracy Theories That Kenneka Jenkins Was Set Up By Her Friends, Raped For $200 And Murdered So Her Organs Could Be Harvested,”(http://www.yourtango.com/2017306629/-conspiracy-theories-rumors-kenneka-jenkins-murdered-raped-organ-harvesting.) Not only is the title excruciatingly long, but it is sensationalized to induce shock and intrigue. The article begins in a casual tone by claiming that the case of Kenneka Jenkins  “leaves a lot to the imagination.” Information from The Chicago Tribune is inserted to highlight various aspects of the events involving Jenkins’ death and then the article goes in-depth providing the “top 3” conspiracy theories as well as providing “evidence” to back up these claims in the form of tweets, YouTube videos, and Instagram posts from Jenkins’ alleged friends who were with her the night she died at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The overall disposition of the article does not appear to be one that would usually be associated with such a tragic event. By using “Top 3” in the title it demeans the entirety of the situation, reducing it to the likes of a lighthearted Buzzfeed list. The writer does not formally agree to any of the conspiracies given, but only presents them to the viewer and leaves it for them to decide.

The third article I discovered from CBS News: (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kenneka-jenkins-no-video-entering-freezer-where-she-was-found-dead-hotel-says/) is a professional, informative piece that relays many points brought up in the other two articles. This article differs from the first in that more substantial evidence and facts are provided, and it stands as a polar opposite from the second in terms of display and morale. The writer includes an incredibly detailed account of the events leading up to Jenkins’ death and the aftermath. Conspiracy theories are not the main topic of this text, though it is mentioned( not in a positive or negative light).  Article 2 contains several videos of conspiracy theories, while this article(3) issues a video interview with Jenkins’ mother; obtaining an ethos of sympathy and compassion.

All three articles involved conspiracies formulated around the death of Kenneka Jenkins, with the first implementing a serious and informational outlook, the second using less conventional forms and focusing on the “insane” and shocking “revelations” made by people regarding the case, and the third providing a commentary based on statements issued by the Rosemont police and hotel staff.

Chasing White Rabbits

 Hello everyone, I’m Alex.

I am also twenty-one, too sarcastic for my own good, and have a mild obsession with Alice in Wonderland. Going down the rabbit hole that is my life…you’ll find many unedited short stories, the first page of my “novel”, and a lot of social anxiety.

The majority of my life has been spent in South Florida where I grew up with my mom, step-dad, and two sisters. I am currently an independent distributer for a gourmet coffee company, which is just a sophisticated title that means I sell and supply coffee to grocery stores. I don’t have a clear career path or dream job as of now, but I do plan on one day not spending so much of my time doing things I don’t want to do. Such would include: driving in Florida, trying to find a parking spot at FAU, explaining to annoyed customers that I in fact do not work for Publix(I’m merely a vendor so I don’t know where the gluten free peanut butter is), and writing papers on “great” works of literature.

All in all, I’m just a girl in the world…what’s my destiny?

Go ask Alex.