Okay, I'll admit it - I have fallen victim to the world of conspiracy theories. It all started with one-click bait YouTube video and before I knew it, checking for signs of alien life became a part of my daily routine. Now, let's be real. Some of the conspiracy theories out there are pretty wild, like the one that claims the popular ASL Ice Bucket Challenge from a few years ago was actually a form of baptism for satanists. But others actually make some sense.
It seems that with any mainstream event these days comes a conspiracy theory to go with it. So, with all the buzz about the solar eclipse that happened this week, I began to wonder if there were any wild theories about these natural phenomenons. And, to my surprise, there were actually a ton! Few had any real legitimacy to back the theories up, while most...well, most just made me laugh too hard not to share.
Photo Credit: Darian Beckstrand (@winged_eyeliner)
1. Step Aside, Pluto... A New Planet Is Waiting To Make Headlines.
The most common theory I came across was that there is actually a tenth (or ninth?) planet that's been waiting for this eclipse to make its debut. This planet has been dubbed the nickname "Planet X", but formally, you can call it Nibiru. The belief is that about a month from now, planet Nibiru will have a run-in with the Earth. Now, from here I've heard two different possibilities. Either Nibiru will take over the role of Mr. Clean and turn our planet into a squeaky-clean wasteland, or it will send us into the apocalypse. No more humans. No more pets. No more buildings. But, hey, at least I won't have to worry about paying back my student loans!
2. Eclipses Are Fake News.
Somebody call CNN, because apparently the rotation of the planet is the latest media fabrication. It wasn't completely clear to me whether the theory is that ALL eclipses are fake, or just this LATEST ecliose is fake. But, apparently, plenty of people claim that this occurance was just another distraction from the government. I wonder what they were distracting us from this time? The rise of the Lizard People, perhaps?
3. Too Bright For Shades?
Okay, this one isn't directly about the eclipse persay - but, after that last one, I felt it fit. Some think a long-lasting theory that Donald Trump is blind was proven by this footage of him looking up at the sun during the eclipse without any protective eyewear. Notice that his wife, who is standing next to him, had her glasses on the whole time? This isn't the only alleged "proof" to back this theory up, however. Check out this video posted by Smosh if you want a few more reasons to believe that Mr. Trump's eyesight could have been impaired before that risky glance.
4. Nature vs. Modern Technology?
Money may not grow on trees, but some believe this natural phenomenon is all just another scheme in the pursuit of cold, hard cash. With all the buzz about the rarity of the eclipse, some companies, such as hotels along the right paths, have certainly been able to profit from it. And I don't know about you, but just about everyone on my Facebook feed had a pair of those special goggles. But, how could these companies control this profit around the occurance of the eclipse? Simple. The eclipse was actually a holographic image all along. Mind blowing, isn't it?
5. Lizards and Sasquatch and Aliens, Oh My!
Think about the people you saw outside the day of the last eclipse. Did anyone look a little strange to you? Perhaps unhuman even? Well, maybe they were. According to paranormal researcher Dennis Carrol, it's possible a whole plethora of otherworldly creatures could have tuned in as well. The list of possible "Special Guests" is endless, but has been said to include Lizard Man, Moss Man, Sasquatch, aliens, witches, and of course, the devil himself.
So, what do you think? Are we all just money hungry liars living amongst witches and lizard people? Or have these conspiracy theories gotten a little out of hand?