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Conspiracy Theoryology is written and produced by Ryan Nelson, who created the show to explore why we’re drawn to conspiracy theories, the paranormal, and the supernatural. Rather than debating what’s true or false, the podcast examines what makes these topics so captivating—and why they inspire such strong belief and skepticism alike. Each episode dives into the cultural, psychological, and historical roots that keep these ideas alive in our collective imagination.
Episodes
Friday Mar 06, 2020
Friday Mar 06, 2020
Episode 44
We continue our discussion on pandemic mania, and this time we are getting to the heart of the matter. The reason for the season. The baseline by which all modern outbreaks are weighed and measured. The Spanish Flu of 1918.
Let us begin first by understanding first what exactly the Spanish Influenza pandemic of 1918 was. As we go through, this, there will be plenty of facts, figures, dates, and percentages. Don’t worry about following the details. The key, just as when we discussed COVID19, is to register the enormous scale to which the influenza outbreak is attributed.
The Spanish Flu is more accurately labeled the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. It is widely accepted to be a pandemic involving the H1N1 influenza virus, a precursor to the H1N1 that we are familiar with today. It received the moniker “Spanish Flu” as a result of press reporting received from then neutral Spain. When much of the news in Europe and the United States was minimized and censored under the auspices of morale during the war, unrestricted reporting in Spain presented a false impression of epidemic severity in contrast to other countries, thus establishing the popularity of the name “Spanish Flu, especially in the United States.
It is estimated to have infected a quarter of the world population, then 1.8 billion. The death toll is as broad and uncertain as other aspects of this outbreak, with estimates from 20-50 million. Some even attribute up to 100 million, though that requires lumping pretty much every potential respiratory and secondary infection mortality under the blame of the flu. Though historical study and epidemiological research has shed some light on the possible causes and details of this expansive and deadly disease, much remains unknown. The point of origin remains unknown, since the disease seems to have surfaced almost simultaneously in multiple regions, with theories pointing to China, the United States or France. Likewise, the details of the virus, which caused the resulting pandemic to appear extremely virulent and deadly, are in dispute. While some research shows the virus itself to be a deadly strain, other analysis indicates that the infection was no more aggressive or severe than previous influenza events. Wikipedia expands on this contraindication, stating that this would then attribute the high mortality to the state of the global population at the time, experiencing undernourishment, crowded medical camps, congestion and diversity on battlefields, and expansive travel and mobility of previously isolated populations. All of which resulted in the possible development of a bacterial super-infection.
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Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Links:
Friday Feb 21, 2020
Friday Feb 21, 2020
Episode 43
Part 2 of our discussion on pandemic fears. As the current outbreak in China continues to evolve in both scale and impact, we take the time to review current status, hear some interesting news regarding the coronavirus outbreak in China, and explore the importance of communication tactics.
It is time to continue our discussion on pandemic mania. While I originally planned, and promised, that we would begin exploring the history of the Spanish Flu, as is usual with our topics that begin as envisioned two-parters, quickly become trilogies. The reason for this is two-fold. First and foremost, the coronavirus, as suspected, had a lot of news since Part 1. Not only does the coronavirus have an official name, but the world has been issued an official naming convention. The hot new website development trend is to set up a coronavirus information dashboard, and some pretty fascinating conspiracy theories have surfaced regarding the origin of the coronavirus. Oh, and spotlight envy has generated backlash against coronavirus media coverage and public focus, as we are now being reminded that the flu and flu-related illness was the real killer and this flash in the pan interloper needs to be put in it’s place.
Secondary to all this, the Spanish flu has been a fascinating research effort, and in truth I knew I would not do it justice trying to get the episode out, while also keeping up with all things Coronavirus. As it is, this episode is releasing much later than I planned. The Spanish flu is inseparably linked to World War 1, which means that historical research is more than just a medical timeline of outbreaks and tracking statistics. Part 3 will give us plenty of room to discuss the 1918 Influenza Outbreak without having to preface the episode with lots of current events updates at the top of the episode.
All this today, and a little theoryology as we explore the psychology of pandemic, and try to understand why we respond the way we do, and what approaches are being taken by world governments, international organizations, and news media, intentionally to shape the public response.
Recommended Reading - Amazon Affiliate Links
Conspiracy Theoryology Store - https://www.zazzle.com/store/theoryologypod
email - contact@conspiracytheoryology.com
Twitter - @TheoryologyPod | Facebook - @TheoryologyPodcast | Patreon - www.patreon.com/conspiracytheoryology
Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Links:
https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/coronavirus-gets-official-name-who-covid-19-n1134756
https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/a-modern-guide-to-naming-diseases
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/08/the-psychology-of-pandemics/
https://www.theburningplatform.com/2020/02/09/coronavirus-of-extraterrestrial-origin/
Friday Jan 31, 2020
Friday Jan 31, 2020
Episode 42
Part 1 of our discussion on pandemic fears, where we will dig into the unfolding coronavirus outbreak and explore the basis of our fascination with pandemic threats.
Okay, so the world is on fire, being burnt to a cinder by the flames of the dreaded ‘coronavirus’. The angel of death itself, shrunk to the size of an adorably large version of an RNA virus is wreaking havoc on all of mankind. This Sasquatch of the virus world which normally preys on cows, pigs, chickens, and I would assume any hapless, happy-go-lucky barnyard animal, has gone Cryptid. A were-creature upon us again, that has jumped the infection to humans, by giving us a cold. Oh the humanity! There is no cure. There is no vaccine. It is intent on taking us out, one by one, through a serious case of the sniffles, until we are all gone...and there is nothing we can do about it.
Okay, so I guess it’s not that bad. Wash your hands. Avoid crowded and unsanitary places during the cold and flu season, and don’t go sticking your fingers in your face all willy-nilly without washing your hands.
So what is really going on? In this episode we will breakdown the group of viruses known as 'coronaviruses'. We discuss what they are, what they cause, and where they have raised their ugly head in the past. After that, we really get into what has been unfolding with the current coronavirus outbreak that originates in Wuhan China.
Once we get all the info out of the way, we finally dig into the possible sources for our fascination into the threat of pandemic outbreak, and what social and economic motivations drive the frenzy of media attention and medical marketing.
Recommended Reading - Amazon Affiliate Links
Conspiracy Theoryology Store - https://www.zazzle.com/store/theoryologypod
email - contact@conspiracytheoryology.com
Twitter - @TheoryologyPod | Facebook - @TheoryologyPodcast | Patreon - www.patreon.com/conspiracytheoryology
Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Links:
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/deadly-coronavirus-could-already-uk-21336004
https://www.webmd.com/lung/qa/how-can-i-prevent-coronavirus-infection
Monday Dec 30, 2019
Monday Dec 30, 2019
Episode 41
Synchronicity. A concise, yet allusively defined term first coined by the Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung. Simply put, synchronicity is understood to be meaningful coincidence. The concept of synchronicity has been a topic of exploration for decades since Jung introduced it, with expansive explanation in his work titled, “Synchronicity: An Acausal Connecting Principle”. In it he states “Therefore it cannot be a question of cause and effect, but of a falling together in time, a kind of simultaneity. Because of this quality of simultaneity, I have picked the term “synchronicity” to designate a hypothetical factor equal in rank to causality as a principle of explanation.”
While many have embraced this idea of orchestrated purpose through superficially unrelated events, others simply dismiss it as psycho-babble used to further our psyche’s false narrative of personal identity. Most recently, the interest in synchronicity has been piqued with the introduction of the documentary series “Hellier”. The concept of synchronicity, often so easily dismissed away with a hand wavy gesture by the skeptical crowd, is at it’s heart about making connections. Of course, connections are at the core of any conspiracy theory, paranormal experience, and alternative belief. If we can understand the allure of synchronicity, perhaps we can better understand our fascination with so much else.
Recommended Reading - Amazon Affiliate Links
Conspiracy Theoryology Store - https://www.zazzle.com/store/theoryologypod
email - contact@conspiracytheoryology.com
Twitter - @TheoryologyPod | Facebook - @TheoryologyPodcast | Patreon - www.patreon.com/conspiracytheoryology
Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Links:
Carl Jung - Synchronicity: An Acausal Connecting Principle - https://amzn.to/2PS6EbF
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/synchronicity
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/emotional-freedom/201003/the-magic-synchronicities
https://heartofsubstance.com/signs-of-synchronicity/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/epiphany/201101/how-do-you-we-i-define-epiphany-exactly?amp
Tuesday Nov 26, 2019
Tuesday Nov 26, 2019
Episode 40
We have all heard the adage, “Extraordinary Claims require Extraordinary Evidence.” Have you asked yourself, “what does that even mean?” Chances are, when you’ve heard it, or even used it, it has been in relation to a topic that you already feel confident is all but impossible to prove anyway. But where did it come from, and why has it become the go-to gotcha phrase for calling someone’s bluff , especially in regarding to conspiracy theory and the paranormal or supernatural? Come to think of it, how do we know when it applies? What exactly makes a claim “extraordinary”?
To do this, I think we need to first understand the phrase itself. Where it comes from, and what it is actually saying. After that, we can explore other aspects of popular thinking which make this resonate so well with the general public.
Now, I’ve been wanting to talk about this for a long time. Exploring cases and beliefs often leads to the inevitable discussion board with the oft repeated phrases “prove it” and “that’s proven false”. I realized that I couldn’t simply pick a single example or event and boil it down to that. We needed to discuss the axiom itself. That “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence” is often taken as a conclusion to the discussion itself. As though it states a given truth about a claim, establishing it’s impossibility. At least impossibility in so far as the claimants ability to prove anything.
Recommended Reading - Amazon Affiliate Links
Conspiracy Theoryology Store - https://www.zazzle.com/store/theoryologypod
email - contact@conspiracytheoryology.com
Twitter - @TheoryologyPod | Facebook - @TheoryologyPodcast | Patreon - www.patreon.com/conspiracytheoryology
Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre-Simon_Laplace
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hot-thought/201303/what-is-evidence?amp
https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2017/11/22/scientific-proof-is-a-myth/#59b71ce92fb1
Thursday Oct 31, 2019
Thursday Oct 31, 2019
Episode 39
Haunted houses have a long and storied history. One of the earliest stories which we have originates in Ancient Rome. Pliny the Younger writing in the first century, recounts in a letter the story of the philosopher Athenodorus and his brush with a haunted house. Per the story, Athenodorus arrives in Athens and picks up a villa with a very reasonable rent, largely due to it’s haunted reputation. On his first night in the home, the philosopher is confronted by the ghost of an old man bound with chains. The apparition leads Athenodorus to the courtyard, at which point, he vanishes. The following day Athenodorus has that location excavated, resulting in the discovery of a skeleton. These remains are then given a proper burial and the ghost never appeared again.
Tales of this nature have permeated throughout centuries of media and entertainment, filling our literature, cinemas, theater stages and televisions with ghostly tales of haunted residences. I could spend the entire episode simply listing all the epic poetry, tombs of short stories, prose and novels, and the catalog of movies, radio shows, television series and now even social media content, that encompasses the topic. We won’t, simply out of practicality, and I would assume that you already have your never-fail-go-to haunted house story favorites of books and movies.
More than any other haunted location the haunted house resonates. Today ghost stories and paranormal investigations are replete with tales of haunted houses and residing spirits that run the gamut from past residents, and lingering family members, to frightening entities and residual haunting that act as living memories of the home, or the land on which it sits.
The haunted house is now such a part of our culture that we have turned them into attractions, even going so far as to build them and recreate the spooky experience with special effects and actors. And in truth, we can’t bring up the concept of the haunted house, without exploring this most visible manifestation of our infatuation with the spirit laden domicile.
Skeptics are quick to claim reasonable explanations for the phenomenon, crediting the power of suggestion and confirmation bias. The physical effects of toxic exposure to carbon monoxide, pesticides and formaldehyde are also used to justify the haunting experiences as hallucinations.
These perfectly rational and mundane explanations are so common that any respectable paranormal investigation team called into a home by the concerned owners will first exhaust these influential possibilities as an explanation before even considering the paranormal option. If you’ve ever wondered why so many investigators use devices that seem best suited for use by electricians, plumbers and home inspectors, now you know.
This skeptical view certainly does provide evidence for why we might find a location haunted, and why the label of “haunted” can come to be attributed to otherwise average homes of any given time period. I think it appropriate to emphasize this, as I had made it clear earlier that I come to this topic with a definite bias. It is true that haunting can be explained, and I do make sure when approaching a story of experience with a checklist of physical world possibilities. Yet, these explanations don’t answer every situation, and they certainly do not explain why we find the haunted house so fascinating and why they have pervaded our imaginations for so long.
Conspiracy Theoryology Store - https://www.zazzle.com/store/theoryologypod
email - contact@conspiracytheoryology.com
Twitter - @TheoryologyPod | Facebook - @TheoryologyPodcast | Patreon - www.patreon.com/conspiracytheoryology
Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Links:
https://time.com/5433554/haunted-houses-fear-brain/?amp=true
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/history-haunted-house-180957008/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/out-the-ooze/201511/what-makes-house-feel-haunted
https://psychcentral.com/blog/the-psychology-behind-instilling-a-sense-of-home/
https://medium.com/@social_archi/prospect-refuge-theory-ca5d80379e51
Friday Oct 18, 2019
Friday Oct 18, 2019
Episode 38
Witchcraft intrigues us and captures our imagination. The concept is steeped in history, and the practice is shrouded in magick and the mystical. Even so, many have no idea how this ancient practice has translated into the modern day. In fact, most don't even realize that it exists in modern day, and that witches are in their midst within everyday life. Witchcraft, through all it's incarnations in our pop culture, is explored through stories. Movies, television, books and other media all use witches are often used as character reflections for ourselves, and our desire to influence and control the chaos around us. Ultimate it's left to personal interpretation and impact. Still, as much as we surround ourselves with the imagery, most of us have little, if any, understanding of the witches that live next door. You probably don't even realize they do, because they do not fit the mold of expectation.
But modern witches are just modern people. They grew up in regular households. They face daily challenges. They have degrees in Psychology and deal with a commute to work, and find time to get their cats to the veterinarian....and that is exactly who our guest is on this episode.
This time I am joined by a Wiccan Priestess named Ashley, who also hosts the amazing podcast "Seeking Witchcraft". Ashley has joined this discussion to introduce us to the modern concepts of witchcraft and the Wiccan religion, and share with us a bit of her story that began this journey of exploration and adherence to a modern "pagan" religion that is born of ancient beliefs and understanding.
This is not our usual research driven episode. It's a story. Witchcraft is a personal journey for it's practitioners. Even when covens are formed such as those of the various Wiccan traditions, initiates are guided by the experienced members and encouraged to explore their own understandings. On Seeking Witchcraft, Ashley takes her listeners through her personal understandings of Wicca and witchcraft, introducing tools, concepts, rituals and practices that she has found beneficial and effective, while also not being afraid to bring in guests to explore topics that she is still exploring as well.
Links:
https://anchor.fm/seekingwitchcraft
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email - contact@conspiracytheoryology.com
Twitter - @TheoryologyPod | Facebook - @TheoryologyPodcast | Patreon - www.patreon.com/conspiracytheoryology
Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Thursday Oct 03, 2019
Thursday Oct 03, 2019
Episode 37
Spoiler alert. Mass Hallucination is not a real phenomenon. It does not exist. At least not as depicted in popular media. Regardless, it’s a term bantered about by both sides in many skeptical debates. Today we’re going to break down the mass hallucination theory and find out why it often surfaces as the go-to excuse for the unexplained.
This time I am joined by guest host, Jason Charbonneau, creator of the fascinating YouTube channel, Think Anomalous. As you will see, I reached out to Jason for very good reason, I think you will very much enjoy.
Links:
http://www.thinkanomalous.com/myth-of-mass-hallucinations.html
https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/s13423-016-1127-1
https://www.compellingtruth.org/hallucination-theory.html
https://www.emmys.com/bios/jason-charbonneau
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Strauss
http://www.process.org/discept/2012/07/12/mass-hallucination-hysteria-miracles/
Conspiracy Theoryology Store - https://www.zazzle.com/store/theoryologypod
email - contact@conspiracytheoryology.com
Twitter - @TheoryologyPod | Facebook - @TheoryologyPodcast | Patreon - www.patreon.com/conspiracytheoryology
Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Tuesday Sep 24, 2019
Tuesday Sep 24, 2019
Episode 36
This time Ryan jumps on the microphone for a bit of off-the-cuff discussion regarding the hot UFO topic of US Navy admission that the released "tic-tac" videos, which surfaced in 2017, are legitimate footage of unidentified aerial phenomenon captured between 2004 and 2015. Additionally, they were never meant to be released to the public.
Of course, we cannot just discuss these videos for what they show, or even the story behind them. No, Theoryologists, we explore what they mean. Big picture what they mean! They are a catalyst. A moment of crisis. A beginning to a major paradigm shift. Of course that means diving into an understanding of paradigms and how this little video sensation could possibly signal a huge shift in thinking.
Links:
https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-paradigm-shift-2670671
Apolitical: https://apolitical.co/solution_article/paradigm-shift-social-change/
https://www.thwink.org/sustain/glossary/ParadigmChange.htm
http://www.expandedperspectives.com/category/podcast/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8CdAj1rveMTjR72_LdDBpQ/videos
Conspiracy Theoryology Store - https://www.zazzle.com/store/theoryologypod
email - contact@conspiracytheoryology.com
Twitter - @TheoryologyPod | Facebook - @TheoryologyPodcast | Patreon - www.patreon.com/conspiracytheoryology
Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Thursday Sep 19, 2019
Thursday Sep 19, 2019
Episode 35: Theoryology Bites
Time for a short Bonus Episode! Theoryology Bites is a bit of a side show idea to cover things that simply don't have any theoryology behind them. These are ideas, beliefs, and even conspiracy theories that didn't gain any traction in the public imagination....usually for good reason.
Still, they are fun to talk about and this gives y'all a chance to hear about them without trying to create an episode that created a theoryology that wasn't there. Hopefully you find it entertaining.
Also, Ryan takes the time to update listeners with updates on the show, explain what it upcoming, and announce the arrival of the Conspiracy Theoryology merchandise store!!!!!
Links:
Last Thursdayism - http://www.last-thursday.org/
Conspiracy Theoryology Store - https://www.zazzle.com/store/theoryologypod
email - contact@conspiracytheoryology.com
Twitter - @TheoryologyPod | Facebook - @TheoryologyPodcast | Patreon - www.patreon.com/conspiracytheoryology
Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com