[Reflection 6: The Truth is Out There—Investigating Conspiracy Theories]

We live in an era in which Americans are suspicious of authority. A mounting distrust in our institutions, built over decades of scandals and cover-ups, has Americans weary of many of the government’s “official” positions on issues. In the absence of this civic trust has allowed conspiracy theories to fill the void. These theories arouse our paranoia and rest on the common belief that we are not being told the truth. Coupled with social media, conspiracy theories have thrived in recent years. It is idea vehicle for the wide dissemination of misinformation. For this reflection, examine two of the following conspiracy theories. In your examination, explore why the theories were born and why they persist. Finally, do either of them have any grounding in reality? Are you a believer? If so, why?

Choose two of the following:

• Ancient Alien Theories
• The Battle of Los Angeles
• The Roswell Crash 
• Area 51 
• The Death of Marilyn Monroe 
• The JFK Assassination 
• The Moon Landing Hoax 
• The Bigfoot Conspiracy
• The Face on Mars 
• The Death of Elvis Presley 
• The Death of Tupac Shakur 
• The Death of Princess Diana 
• The Illuminati/New World Order
• The 9/11 Cover-Up 
• The Global Warming Hoax 
• The Chemtrails Cover-Up 
• The Autism-Vaccination Link 
• President Obama’s Fake Birth Certificate 

Cite any sources you use in your examination.

Requirements:

• MLA Style
• 1.5 pages in length
• Works cited page

Due: Wed 4.27