Are conspiracy theories a fraud?

Question

So I have come up with a conspiracy theory myself that conspiracy theories are a fraud.

Here is my evidence

Alex Jones has been on the BBC and CNN he has had two great opportunities to actually give himself legitimacy but decided to just go off the rails and act crazy shouting INFOWARS.COM!
His website sells you all kinds of merchandise DVDs and survival gear then there is the subscription fee where you can get more infowars news at a monthly fee.
Altogether, Jones is estimated to be worth 5 million dollars and was taking in revenues of about $1.5 million per year in 2010, enough to support a staff of 15 and enable him to buy an $800,000 house and 7,600 square foot studio.

Then there is David Icke who alex jones said many years ago was a con man. David Icke has written 16 books all repeating the same subjects his company icke publishing took in £220,000 last year from book sales. Then he is doing tours he sold 6000 tickets to one show at £30 each. you do the maths!

Then there is Dr. Steven Greer who is trying to get a slice of the market when his documentary was released this year charging people $20 to download it from his website. Then he was looking for donations for his "Free Energy Research Project" and people have donated money!

If you look up the word Conspiracy "definition 1. A secret plan by a group to do something unlawful"
If I am correct that world make Jones Icke and Greer conspiracy's themselves

So what do you think? do these people actually believe there own words or are they just laughing to the bank at the expense of gullible people?

Answer 1

To ascertain the truth is all about sorting out the wheat from the chaff, not about having a "leader" to form your views for you.



Those who blindly follow either the mainstream or a given section of the "alternative" media are equally open to be deceived.



The reality is there are as many conspiracy "sheep" as there are mainstream ones. The sheep herders know this better than anyone and quite often work for the same bosses quite likely.







But let's not be so rash as to throw out the baby with the bathwater either. Both mainstream and (fake?) alternative media still have to give some facts to keep their following in tow.



Plus there's more to alternative media than those who you mentioned BTW and many many more in the blogosphere.



The Truth itself hasn't to prove itself to anybody. Those who swallow the mainstream unequivocally even it though has a track record of deception show a level of arrogance, ignorance and naivety that is indefensible at this juncture.



At least those who seek out alternatives are showing a far higher level of responsibility and effort, even if many do fall for the trap of 'controlled opposition' at some point.



They can at least be seen to take the first step at least in the right direction. The important thing is that they don't make the mistake of just stopping there forever too.



"waking up" is more a process than an event!

Answer 2

Dude Bill Gates stole everything that made Windows and he bacame a bajillionaire doing it - he now has his operating system running most of the free worlds government computers... Those guys are just frauds or conment, it's no conspiracy there.

Obama tells everyone he's going to do everything they want him to and never does any of it but nobody ever gets mad at him for it - wonder why??? I'll give you a hint - it has something to do with a conspiracy involving Obama and several owners of mainstream media outlets. Not too clear on all of the details yet, but I can tell you he's got some heavy hitters in his pocket right now!

Answer 3

NO.I don't think they are a fraud in the sense of misleading anyone. They usually believe their alternative viewpoint on an event. David Icke may seem weird,and probably is,but he did get it right about Jimmy Saville,



Conspiring to do something illegal is not the same thing as a conspiracy theory about (say) 9/11 or the Moon landing,or Princess Diana.

Answer 4

Mostly. I reckon Alex Jones is just in it for the money but as far as I can tell David Icke really believes what he says. However I consider him a bit of a fruitcake.

Answer 5

Alex Jones is an entertainer who makes very large sums of money appealing to a certain type of consumer. Nothing he says should be taken internally. Icke is in the same vein. What they do is not illegal. Parting stupid people from their money is not a crime.

Answer 6

Look how your examples makes their living. They may get something right but it will be through accident not ability. All three are making a lot of money of the legions of followers who, for want of a better term, have been hoodwinked.

Answer 7

Yes. Some people just need melodrama in their lives and these conspiracy theories usually end with some sort group of victims and oddly, the person espousing the theory usually fits the "victim" profile.

Answer 8

You should try crunching the numbers with things - legitimate - Governments do then.

You'll find that evidence - much - more frightening....

Answer 9

Occasionally a conspiracy may be proven to be true.......but most often they are for simple deluded fools

Answer 10

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2420954/Princess-Diana-assassinated-SAS-claims-special-forces-soldier-gave-Prince-William-driving-lessons.html#ixzz2f4rfn2MH

'SAS assassinated Diana by shining light into her driver's face'



https://www.google.co.uk/search?sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&site=&source=hp&q=laser+light&btnG=Search&pbx=1&oq=&aq=&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=&gs_upl=



http://the-tap.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/of-princess-diana-royals-and-law.html

Answer 11

its all good