Throughout history, many stories have been passed down from generation to generation. Though some of these stories or ideas have not yet been proven nor disproven, people still choose to believe them. These can be classified as conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories are prominent in today’s society.

Conspiracies are not to be confused with myths or legends such as Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster. Myths more so explain a phenomenon and usually involve some sort of supernatural being or event.

A conspiracy theory can be defined as the belief that one person, group or organization is responsible for an event. There are conspiracy theories for the most abnormal topics, ranging from the assassination of former president John F. Kennedy to deceased celebrities allegedly faking their deaths.

Some people live their lives by conspiracy theories, studying the possibility of these happenings. A few conspiracies have even made it to the level of popularity to be spread around the internet, like the infamous theory that George Bush knew about 9/11 before it happened.

Recently, conspiracy theories have been a prominent topic for discussion at FHS due to the new class on the Program of Studies guide, Conflicts and Conspiracies, which will be taught by Mr. Nate Langelli. This class will be available for the upcoming 2017-2018 school year.

“For the various conspiracy theories we cover in class students will examine both sides to them. We will look at the evidence that supports a theory, as well as the evidence that refutes a theory. Using that information students will decide which theories are based on skepticism and which ones they feel are based on paranoia,” Langelli said.

Some theories are more believable and have more evidence on their side as opposed to others that are too far fetched.

One conspiracy theory that is widely accepted is the Kennedy assassination that took place on Nov. 22, 1963. Lee Harvey Oswald was charged with being the sole suspect in this investigation, but what if that was not exactly the case?

Kennedy was hit with two bullets, one in the neck and the other one in the head. Many have speculated that from where Oswald was, the trajectory of where the bullets hit don’t exactly line up with where Oswald could have shot.

Oswald was placed in the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository and fired a shot while Kennedy was riding past in the topless vehicle. Many theorists have speculated that Oswald didn’t act alone, and that there was at least one other shooter. Other theories and speculations include the idea of the CIA being responsible for the assassination.

Another theory that wasn’t widely believed was that the moon landing was staged. This select group of doubters believed that NASA faked the moon landing because they were in a rush to do so, in efforts to beat Russia to it.

They believe that the whole mission was filmed in a secret location, either in Hollywood Hills or in Area 51, the location depending on how far one would take this theory. This is only supported by the paranoia that since all the videos of the Apollo mission are available through NASA, so it was all staged.

Other theories are not as solid as this. One theory that may be too outrageous to be real is that Paul McCartney is dead. This theory supposed that Paul McCartney had died in a motorcycle accident in 1967, shortly before the release of The Beatles’ Album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”

There are only two actual pieces of evidence to support this thought, though they are pretty flimsy. In the song “I’m So Tired,” John Lennon is mumbling something during one part. If the song is played backwards, it is alleged that it sounds like “Paul is dead, man, miss him, miss him.”

The only other clue that supports this theory is that McCartney performed with the Beatles cover band Abbey Road. During the performance, he was out of step with everyone else and barefoot. This was seen as some kind of symbol to suggest that McCartney was dead.

Many other conspiracy theories are out in the world. There are about as many people who fully believe in them as those who believe they are all false. Some may never be proven, but will still be talked about for ages. Conspiracy theories will always be a part of society.