If we analyze the main ideas of conspiracy theories about reptilians, a flat Earth, or myths about the Freemasons as a secret world government, we can see that they all have an anti-Western and especially anti-American orientation. In contrast, Russia or China are hardly ever accused of seeking to “take over the world.” Coincidence, as they say?
In the past, those who could read and write were considered educated, but in the 21st century, this requires the ability to filter content in huge information flows. The emergence of the yellow press and the Internet has made it especially easy for charlatans to spread even the most ridiculous theories. Moreover, social media algorithms and earnings from content views and popularity have made the spread of conspiracy theories an easy, lucrative business that is hard to refuse. For example, one of the most popular videos about a flat Earth on YouTube has been viewed by almost 800 million users. No wonder that creating and distributing sensational, albeit untrue, materials is becoming more interesting and profitable than going to work. Many people in Ukraine believe in absurd versions that explain key social, political, and economic events as secret conspiracies behind the scenes. Although conspiracy theorists do not particularly care that none of these versions can be supported by reliable facts. However, the problem with conspiracy theories is not even that they are a space for fraud and manipulation by charlatans.
Among conspiracy theorists in Ukraine and around the world, the interests and influence of Russian special services are noticeable. The Russian FSB is actively interested in conspiracy theorists, which often injects into their information bubble theses favorable to the Kremlin about the “golden billion,” a global conspiracy, reptilians, Freemasons, and the “malevolent capitalist West.” Moscow uses conspiracy theories to attack democratic countries on their territory and brainwash millions of Westerners, turning them against their own countries. And gullible ordinary people believe that they are “bearers of a special truth”.
If we look at the general outlines of conspiracy theories about reptilians, “revelations” of flat earthers, or myths about the Freemasons and the secret world government, we can see that they all have an anti-Western and especially anti-American orientation. In their words, “NASA is hiding the truth about the flatness of the Earth, the American establishment is secretly running the world, and they are all Freemasons, and reptilians at that.” For conspiracy theorists, only Western governments are “to blame” for all the existing problems. Behind such fables lies a clear political message: it is the West and the United States that are the “source of world evil.” And who in this world is opposing these “bad guys” who “want to chip and deceive everyone”?
It is noteworthy that conspiracy theorists never accuse Russia or China of seeking to take over the world. On the contrary, the governments of these countries are almost never mentioned as a source of global evil, although in fact they have done the most to foment wars, violence, and crises. And because conspiracy theorists always blame the West for all problems, conspiracy theorists may believe that Russia or China are an alternative to the “evil Western puppeteers.”
This does not mean that these theories are authored by Russian or Chinese intelligence services, but they are a great opportunity to influence some of the citizens of a rival state for destabilizing purposes. It is beneficial for intelligence services hostile to the West to influence gullible and naive citizens of Western countries who are against their governments, believing them to be the source of a “conspiracy.” Such citizens can even be used for mass unrest or to obtain intelligence about their countries.
The danger of conspiracy theories is evidenced by the fact that in 2019, the US media reported that the FBI included the QAnon movement (a fable that the American elite and leaders of the US Democratic Party allegedly worship Satan and have created an international scheme to sexually exploit children whose embryos are used for eternal youth) in the list of internal threats to US national security. Conspiracy theories have never been included in this list. It was obvious that QAnon was turning into a real threat that was not limited to spreading fake news on the Internet. The storming of the Capitol in 2021 was not without QAnon supporters who took an active part in it. Instead, in Ukraine, Russian influence among conspiracy theorists is particularly noticeable among “prophets and seers” through whom the Kremlin is making destabilizing information injections into Ukrainian society.
Thus, by reading content about aliens, the Illuminati, and the Freemasons, and by reading “Vanga’s prophecies” (which she never wrote herself and which “come true” only retroactively, and which also portray Russia positively), one can get hooked by Russian propaganda, which is interested in spreading anti-Western and anti-Ukrainian fakes. And the next step would be to fall for the fake that “the West started the war in Ukraine.” Therefore, Ukrainians should be more critical of information, especially from anonymous channels, reject versions that cannot be verified, and remember: it is only a small step from reptilian belief to support for Putin.
Author: Valeriy Maydanyuk
