Among the Truthers: A Journey Through America's Growing Conspiracist Underground

[dmallind]

3. no it's nothing new

Just found a new lodestone.

From Donnelly's Atlantis to Von Daniken's alien gods to the Elders of Zion and the Templars and the Illuminati and the Masons (the Republican party was a spin-off from anti-Masonic conspiracy nuts) there hasn't been a time when a fairly significant number of Americans weren't convinced that some secret cabal knew all and guided all. Every so often an event or work sparks a new or resurgent focus - be it Dan Brown or 9/11.

It's not a uniquely American concept but it is far worse here than in other OECD countries. Dunno why. Maybe the endemic distrust of actual academic knowledge. Maybe the somewhat outre associations of some of the founding fathers. Maybe the political system that splits up real state power and seems to make room for some unitary shadowy string-pulling. But in American cultre it's the equivalent of the spacy and hapless yet somehow endearing aged uncle at family events - both embarrassing and strangely comforting.