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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
Thursday Jul 11, 2019
Thursday Jul 11, 2019
Episode 30
To some, it produces images of government controlled communications/mass media, telling the people only what the government wants them to hear. To others, it raises the horrid specter of Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s Propaganda Minister, practicing the technique of the "big lie" which has incorrectly become synonymous with "propaganda". Still to others, the mere mention of "psychological" operations or warfare invokes visions of "mind control" through some mysterious means of brainwashing.
It should be clear that modern psychological operations, or PSYOP, is none of those things. - Maj. Ed Rouse (retired)
Welcome back, Theoryologists. With this episode we continue our discussion of Jade Helm 15, by introducing ourselves to the world of Psychological Operations, and gain an understanding of the structure of Special Operations Command within the military. There was really no way of discussing PSYOPS without turning the discussion into a history lesson in psychological operations and warfare, as well as a review the evolving strategy within the US military. We glossed over the full industry of PSYOPS and special operations in the first episode, so this time we are giving full review. I wanted to really understand this beyond a simple wikipedia entry, so I went right to the source. In doing so, I found excellent information that provided the history, strategy, and future direction for psychological operations.
email - contact@conspiracytheoryology.com
Twitter - @TheoryologyPod
Facebook - @TheoryologyPodcast
Patreon - www.patreon.com/conspiracytheoryology
Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Links:
http://www.psywarrior.com/psyhist.html
http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/au/goldstein/goldstein_b18.pdf
Tuesday Jun 25, 2019
Tuesday Jun 25, 2019
Episode 29
Welcome back, Theoryologists. When you hear the term “psyop”, in context of the military, what comes to mind? Does it conjure up thoughts of leaflet air drops? Radio broadcasts behind enemy lines? Loudspeaker announcements? Are you even familiar with the term at all? While for some it may conjure the thought of clandestine psychic warfare and espionage tactics, Psyop is, in fact, an abbreviation of the term “psychological operation”.
These operations are defined by the Department of Defense as “planned psychological activities in peace and war which normally pursue objectives to gain the support and cooperation of friendly and neutral countries and to reduce the will and the capacity of hostile or potentially hostile countries to wage war.”
Psyops have been employed by the US military in some form since the American revolution, and examples of these strategic psychological activities can be found during every major US military conflict since. This includes the American Civil War, Vietnam, and more recently the military conflicts in the Middle East. In fact, psychological operations are utilized by all major militaries throughout the world. While tactics employed, as mentioned before, such as leaflets and propaganda driven radio broadcasts are more properly defined as aspects of psychological warfare, the US Military is quick to point out that psychological operations during peacetime take a very different tact. These psyops do not involve misinformation, but are designed, in fact, to deter conflict through well crafted, truth based persuasive communications and terminology.
We will begin our story, and learn about the military training exercise known as Jade Helm 15 through it’s impact on a small town in central Texas. This will be a two part episode, simply because there is just so much to explore. Today we will introduce ourselves to this training exercise through the lens the residents in the town of Bastrop. As you hear the story and follow the events as they play out, keep the concept of psyops in the back of your mind.
In May 2018, news outlets and newspaper articles circulated an update to the 2015 joint operation training exercise known as Jade Helm. Outlets reported on an MSNBC interview with, Michael Hayden, who had served as former head of both the CIA and NSA, during which Hayden made comments indicating that the frenzy of public concern and media coverage was fueled by a Russian disinformation campaign. This, of course, settled the issue and ended any further media interest for the 3 year old topic. Seemingly providing explanation for the escalated alarm, claims of conspiracy theory, and public backlash, Hayden rested the blame on Russian bots and the alt-right media, answering the question of how the whole conspiracy theory got started in the first place.
The problem is, it was never a question anyone was asking. Not during media coverage leading up to the exercise in 2015, and certainly not in 2018, long after most people forgot that anything had ever happened. So if no one was asking the question, then why provide an unprompted answer? Well, we could point some motivation to the fact that Michael Hayden was promoting his book during the interview, but it still seems a bit random. That is, unless this latest revelation of information is just another phase of the Jade Helm exercise itself. To make a determination like that, though, we should first understand what exactly happened in the months leading up to the Jade Helm training exercise during the Spring of 2015
email - contact@conspiracytheoryology.com
Twitter - @TheoryologyPod
Facebook - @TheoryologyPodcast
Patreon - www.patreon.com/conspiracytheoryology
Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Friday Jun 14, 2019
Friday Jun 14, 2019
Episode 28
Welcome back Theoryologists. What happens when your brain hears a question? In fact, the answer is just what happened when you heard my question. Interestingly, you focused in and everything else, at least for a moment, was put to the side while your mind attempted to address the question at hand.
Neuroscience research has found that the human brain can only think of one thing at a time. According to the book Brain Rules, “we are biologically incapable of processing attention-rich inputs simultaneously.” Questions trigger a mental reflex known as “instinctive elaboration”. In which, when a question is posed, it takes over the brain’s thought process. And when your brain is thinking about the answer to a question, it cannot contemplate anything else. Behavioral scientists have also found that just asking people about their future decisions significantly influences those decisions, a phenomenon known as the “mere measurement effect.”
This time I am again joined by Mike on co-host duty as we continue our discussion on the Ancient Aliens phenomen; focusing specifically on the ancient aliens television series. The series, which began formally in 2010, and appears in the History Channel, just began its 14th season and continues to prove wildly popular and successful, pulling in over a million viewers weekly on a regular basis. As we jump into the discussion, think about the aspects of the show that we highlight as possible drivers for the success and popularity with the public. What you will find is that the series is designed, very intentionally, to focus your attention and peak your interest by proposing the varied theories as questions. These questions guide the viewers in digesting the ideas presented, and actually increase the likelihood that they will accept the possibility, and find the show more engaging.
email - contact@conspiracytheoryology.com
Twitter - @TheoryologyPod
Facebook - @TheoryologyPodcast
Patreon - www.patreon.com/conspiracytheoryology
Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Links:
Tuesday May 28, 2019
Tuesday May 28, 2019
Episode 27
Continuing the discussion of Ancient Astronaut Theory, this time we explore another approach to understanding history, known as Big History. This educational approach to the exploration of history is much more than a timeline of human history, or even of Earth history. Big History goes all the way back to the Big Bang as a starting point, and presents a timeline, in a narrative form, leading all the way to the modern era. It doesn't stop there, using this big picture approach to draw a conclusion that we, as a species, have a tremendous responsibility and influence in ensuring that history continues into the future.
Led by historian, Dave Christian, a growing group of scholars and educators are encouraging a shift in how we think about history. Emphasizing that modern human history did not emerge out of nowhere, but rather at a particular time and place, in specific historical context. Through compelling argument, they present a big picture view and a unifying concept of the human condition.
As we explore the theoryology behind our fascination with Ancient Astronaut Theory, we come to understand that both it and Big History are focused not in just presenting "facts" as they are understood with each approach. More importantly, they are endeavoring to provide an origin story. Origin stories have been constructed since the beginnings of human civilization, through mythologies, religious beliefs, early explorations into experimental and observational studies, and currently into the modern realm of scientific exploration and experimentation.
We understand the past to be our origins, and we understand ourselves through these ancient origin stories. They were central to education in the ancient world, giving shape and meaning to knowledge. This broad approach to understanding and learning, though, had been lost in the modern world, and instead replaced with fragmented, compartmentalized studies that are discipline specific. The narrative has been lost, with the focus so much of the "what" and the "when" of history, that we don't even ask "why?".
Big History is out to change that, taking standard accepted science and history, across multiple disciplines, to make history "big" again. It appeals to our desire for origin stories. This is the same appeal found in the Ancient Astronaut hypothesis.
Joined again by guest co-host Mike Nelson, we tackle Big History and draw conclusions about Ancient Astronaut Theory that hopefully provides a bit more understanding of its pervasive influence to the public.
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/Big_History
https://blog.bighistoryproject.com/2017/08/22/the-power-of-origin-stories-in-big-history/
https://theconversation.com/big-history-why-we-need-to-teach-the-modern-origin-story-10405
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/theory-knowledge/201611/three-cheers-big-history?amp
http://www.bighistory.info/bhi_005_004.htm
https://www.bighistoryproject.com/home
Tuesday May 21, 2019
Tuesday May 21, 2019
Episode 26
Published in 1968, Chariot of the Gods?, written by Erich Von Daniken, sparked a movement of thought and belief that endeavored to rewrite our understanding of the origins of human civilization and advancement. Von Daniken proposed that the historical record was proof of ancient extraterrestrial visitation and intervention across nearly all of the developing cultures throughout antiquity. These records, comprised of ancient artwork, mythological and religious texts, and even architectural structures, were not symbolic of supernatural belief systems and figurative understandings of mythical beings, but rather literal, misunderstood depictions of alien astronaut interactions with early cultures. Mankind advanced by learning from these ancient visitors, undertaking massive stone construction, advanced mythologies, astronomical reference, and even advanced technological mechanics.
These ideas influenced pop culture and media for decades, spurring televisions shows, books and movies based on these ideas. Even today, Ancient Alien hypothesis is discussed and debated.
Von Daniken was not the only major influence though, and any discussion of Ancient Aliens would be remiss without a thorough review of the works of Zecharia Sitchin. Sitchin brought a different approach to the influence of ancient alien visitors in antiquity. Building his research from self-taught translation of cuneiform texts, Sitchin proposed an entire origin story to the very biological beginnings of mankind, stemming from an ancient race of alien beings, known as the Anunnaki. Heralding from the planet Nibiru, a far reaching planet within our own solar system, these Anunnaki came to Earth in search of gold to protect their planet's atmosphere. The Anunnaki, wanting their own race of workers to serve their needs, created, through genetic experimentation, modern humans, influencing their development and ultimately forming the early Sumerian culture.
Joined by guest co-host Mike Nelson, we tackle the history and ideas of these two influential authors that gave rise to the massive phenomenon known as Ancient Alien Theory.
email - contact@conspiracytheoryology.com
Twitter - @TheoryologyPod
Facebook - @TheoryologyPodcast
Patreon - www.patreon.com/conspiracytheoryology
Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Links:
https://www.grimerica.ca/ep163/
https://thoseconspiracyguys.com/zecharia-sitchin/
Wednesday May 01, 2019
Wednesday May 01, 2019
BONUS - Patreon Teaser
This week I have a bonus episode for you to enjoy. A heavily abridged version of the conversation I had with my guest host, Mike Nelson, over on Patreon. Mike and I explored the Mandela Effect as a follow up to the Food Pyramid episode which only briefly touched on the topic. Mike brought a fresh perspective and some great research and we had a great time! The entire discussion was about an hour and a half, so I pulled out about 30 minutes to highlight and give you a feel for what is available over at the Patreon page. Introducing a concept known as "Collective Effervescence", Mike walks us through a plausible explanation of how the Mandela Effect functions as a beneficial function in social memory...at some of the examples!
This Patreon exclusive feed is called Expanded Theoryology and is available to all patrons. Mike and I hopped onto SquadCast to record a remote session and just couldn't put away the microphones!
email - contact@conspiracytheoryology.com
Twitter - @TheoryologyPod
Facebook - @TheoryologyPodcast
Patreon - www.patreon.com/conspiracytheoryology
Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Thursday Apr 25, 2019
Thursday Apr 25, 2019
Ep. 25 - Finland Doesn't Exist
In the Cold War era, Japan and the Soviet Union supposedly shared a secret about a stretch of the Baltic Sea between the Soviet Union and Sweden. Around the mid-20th century, the two nations collectively spread the idea that there was a landmass known as Finland on that stretch of ocean, to keep the good fishing between themselves. The Japanese were free to fish as much as they liked there without worrying about international laws, so long as they give a share to Russia. The company of Nokia is actually owned by the Japanese and is used to hide the shipments from this secret fishing industry in the guise of hardware. To get all this food across the continent, the trans-Siberian railway was built for this express purpose.
This is the conspiracy theory that surfaced in 2015 on an unassuming Reddit thread. Not long following, it went viral, traveling across social media and taking on a life of it's own. The fallout was fast and fierce. While many responded jokingly or dismissively, some responses were highly critical, and even outright insulting. Understandably, some Finnish users within Reddit were offended that such a claim was gaining traction. And traction it saw. Spreading across social media sites such as Tumbler and 4chan.
The question remains, what made this amusing conspiracy theory resonate so well with the public? Why did it capture our imagination, inspire discussion and spur debate? Is it due to some internet "law" that speaks to parody and sarcasm, or is it rooted in something more substantial in literature, like the concept of satire? Why does it speak to us? We try to tackle this issue on this episode of Conspiracy Theoryology.
email - contact@conspiracytheoryology.com
Twitter - @TheoryologyPod
Facebook - @TheoryologyPodcast
Patreon - www.patreon.com/conspiracytheoryology
Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Links:
https://explorefinlandpodcast.com/
https://truecrimefinland.squarespace.com/
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/finland/articles/does-finland-exist-many-dont-think-so/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe%27s_law
http://www.bodahub.com/does-finland-exist-conspiracy-theory/
http://www.stat.fi/tup/satavuotias-suomi/suomi-maailman-karjessa_en.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/12/safe-happy-and-free-does-finland-have-all-the-answers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satire
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/finland/articles/podcasts-to-help-you-understand-finland/
Thursday Apr 11, 2019
Thursday Apr 11, 2019
Ep. 24 - Sleep Paralysis
Why talk about sleep paralysis? Isn’t it usually just an explanation in itself for strange phenomenon?
Actually, it’s not a definitive answer to all night time visions and experiences. Blaming sleep paralysis is simply blaming a physiological function as a means of dismissing strange experiences. Yet, it has become the go-to explanation, and we are eager to accept it as the reason for any sort of frightening tales of experience that remotely include aspects associated with this poorly understood physical response.
These experiences run the gamut. Sleep paralysis is now the primary accepted explanation for the night time visitation from demons, witches, ghosts and shadow people, alien visitation and abduction, even spiritual and out-of-body experiences.
So again, we are left with a phenomenon that would come up again and again in topics of the paranormal and supernatural, but itself is really just as mysterious. Just as fascinating in itself. Which means there is probably some theoryology behind it. Well, let’s try to understand sleep paralysis better.
email - contact@conspiracytheoryology.com
Twitter - @TheoryologyPod
Facebook - @TheoryologyPodcast
Patreon - www.patreon.com/conspiracytheoryology
Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Links:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/dream-factory/201409/sleep-paralysis
https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-22/edition-8/terror-night
https://www.livescience.com/61123-sleep-paralysis-stress-supernatural.html
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-wise-brain/201601/what-makes-you-feel-threatened
https://www.luciddreamsociety.com/sleep-paralysis-stories/
https://www.nosleeplessnights.com/sleep-paralysis-stories-intruder-demon-or-delusion/
https://esotericscience.org/article12b.htm
https://thriveglobal.com/stories/the-neuroscience-of-sleep-paralysis/
http://behdad.org/mirror/www.braindecoder.com/neuroscience-of-sleep-paralysis-1113306867.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explanatory_gap
http://sleepingresources.com/scary-sleep-paralysis-stories-waking-up-in-a-nightmare/
Thursday Apr 04, 2019
Thursday Apr 04, 2019
Podswap - Burst Your Bubble Podcast
A wonderful episode swapping project coordinated by the lovely and talented host and creator Moxie at Your Brain on Facts. Inspired by the days of comic strip artists swapping characters, this operation is meant to introduce new podcasts, not only to you the listener, but us as well, that we think our listeners will find interesting and enjoyable.
Today, I have to pleasure of bringing you the 50th episode of the Burst Your Bubble podcast, with host Morgan Jaffe. Just like you and I do here at Conspiracy Theoryology, Morgan takes an idea and breaks it down in ways that we might not consider. Finding themes in pop culture, television or film, she dissects the -isms and phobias that are often hidden, or not so hidden within the media. Whether you agree or disagree, Morgan is going to guide you through ideas and perspectives that you may never have considered, peering through a media literacy lens, with a dash of history in the mix.
Morgan is fun and insightful, and frankly, just fun to listen to. I recommend that you jump over to BurstYourBubblePodcast.com to check out more about the show, and don’t be afraid to subscribe and add the show to your listening repertoire. And don’t worry, I’ll be back next week with another episode of Conspiracy Theoryology. I’ll see you then.
email - contact@conspiracytheoryology.com
Twitter - @TheoryologyPod
Facebook - @TheoryologyPodcast
Patreon - www.patreon.com/conspiracytheoryology
Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Tuesday Mar 26, 2019
Tuesday Mar 26, 2019
Episode 23 - Spontaneous Human Combustion
This phenomenon, also known as SHC, probably because it gets old saying the full term pretty quickly in a long conversation, goes back hundreds of years and still befuddles investigators in cases today. This isn’t really a tale of the supernatural, although it certainly gives that vibe. It’s certainly paranormal in the very literal sense of being out-of-the ordinary. The term is used in different ways; By investigators and coroners as a means to close a case and ascribe a lack of explanation as a conclusion; By survivors as a means of giving cause to an otherwise unexplained loss; By story tellers as a means of warning against behaviors and lifestyle.
Ultimately it’s a phenomenon that’s captures our imagination because spontaneous human combustion hits on so many elements of fear and expectations.
The best way to talk about SHC is to hear the stories and think about their elements. Only after you get a feel for the stories can we look into look into some possible psychological basis for our fascination.
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/Spontaneous_human_combustion
http://www.science-rumors.com/top-10-real-spontaneous-human-combustion-stories-in-the-history/
http://anomalyinfo.com/?q=Topics/spontaneous-human-combustion-reports-chronological-order
http://www.newser.com/story/129338/dead-man-spontaneously-combusted-coroner.html
https://www.thoughtco.com/likelihood-of-scary-things-4151051
https://psychcentral.com/blog/catastrophic-thinking-when-your-mind-clings-to-worst-case-scenarios/
http://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/counselling/cognitive-distortions.htm
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sapient-nature/201310/how-negative-is-your-mental-chatter
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228818558_Overweighting_of_Small_Probabilities
https://www.realclearscience.com/blog/2012/12/how-to-avoid-spontaneously-combusting.html
https://www.cremationresource.org/cremation/how-is-a-body-cremated.html