<p>How did <strong>conspiracy theory</strong> grow from a fringe belief to a quasi-religious movement capable of toppling democracies? Ian and Dorian chart the rise of the tinfoil mindset in a wild historical ride that takes in the Illuminati, 9/11, Karl Popper, Watergate, Hitler, QAnon, Oliver Stone’s <em>JFK</em>, and Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn’s secret society.</p><p>And chillingly, they explain why the tinfoil fringe isn’t just on the fringe any more. </p><p>Help Ian and Dorian DO THEIR RESEARCH by supporting Origin Story on Patreon: www.Patreon.com/originstorypod</p><p>––––––––</p><p><strong>Conspiracy Theory: A Reading List</strong></p><p>From Dorian:</p><p><em>Voodoo Histories</em> by David Aaronovitch. Sharp and readable overview of the history and psychology of conspiracy theories.</p><p><em>The United States of Paranoia</em> by Jesse Walker. A provocative history which argues that paranoia permeates mainstream American politics, not just the fringes.</p><p><em>Among the Truthers</em> by Jonathan Kay. A reporter’s journey through contemporary conspiracy theories.</p><p><em>The Paranoid Style in American Politics</em> by Richard Hofstadter. This brilliant diagnosis of the conspiracist mentality still holds up.</p><p><em>The Hitler Conspiracies</em> by Richard J Evans. Evans uses case studies including the Reichstag fire and the stab-in-the-back myth to illustrate the importance of conspiracy theories to the Nazi era. Very good on <em>The Protocols of the Elders of Zion</em> and the difference between event theories and systemic theories.</p><p><em>The Crying of Lot 49</em> by Thomas Pynchon. The classic novel of American paranoia and the only Pynchon novel you can read in less than a week.</p><p><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001324r"><em>The Coming Storm</em></a>. Superbly reported BBC podcast series, presented by Gabriel Gatehouse, explores the 90s roots of QAnon.</p><p>On <em>JFK</em> the movie:</p><p><em>JFK: The Book of the Film</em> by Oliver Stone and Zachary Sklar. The heavily annotated screenplay plus reams of press coverage of Stone’s movie, much of it hostile.</p><p><em>Reclaiming History</em> by Vincent Bugliosi. Elephantine takedown of every single JFK conspiracy theory. There are no survivors.</p><p><a href="https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v13/n21/christopher-hitchens/on-the-imagining-of-conspiracy">Christopher Hitchens on <em>JFK</em> and conspiracy theories in general.</a></p><p><br></p><p>And from Ian:</p><p><em>Conspiracy Theories</em> by Quassim Cassam. The case for a political analysis. Worthwhile, but flawed.</p><p><em>The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories</em> by Jan-Willem van Prooijen. Decent little overview of the psychological work into the area. Also worthwhile, also flawed.</p><p>––––––––</p><ul> <li> <em>“The very fact that it’s not proper scholarship makes conspiracy theory so much more exciting to read — and satisfying to write.” – </em><strong><em>Dorian</em></strong> </li> <li> <em>“</em>JFK<em> is the most powerful argument I’ve seen yet that you should be able to sue for libel after you’re dead.” – </em><strong><em>Ian</em></strong> </li> <li> <em>“According to Hitler, the fact that the </em>Protocols Of The Elders Of Zion<em> had been called fake proved they were true…” – </em><strong><em>Dorian</em></strong> </li> <li> <em>“Certain people believe that the CIA invented conspiracy theory in order to discredit people who criticised the Warren Commission. So that means that conspiracy theory is a conspiracy theory…” – </em><strong><em>Dorian</em></strong> </li> </ul><p>––––––––</p><p><em>Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey and Ian Dunt. Audio production by Jade Bailey and Alex Rees. Music by Jade Bailey. Logo art by Mischa Welsh. . Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. </em><strong><em>Origin Story is a Podmasters production</em></strong></p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>