On September 11th 2001 the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, destroying the World Trade Center, heavily damaging the Pentagon, and killing almost 3.000 people, shocked the world and had a lasting effect on national and international politics of the United States. In short time, thousands of websites appeared on the internet and are still online, each offering its own truth about what had happened: Some claim having seen Satan himself in the flames and the smoke that rose from the burning twin towers, saying that the attack was just the beginning of the end of the world. Others use anti-Semitist sentiments and report about a Jewish plot following Zionist ideology. Again others blame the US-government for not preventing or even carrying out the attacks in order to justify their later wars on the Taliban regime and on Iraq. Some even talk about the involvement of an alien race.
This seminar paper will begin by providing a theoretical background on conspiracy theories and suppose a thesis how those theories influence people and seduce them to believe. Rhetorical features will be taken into account as well as psychological features. After the outlining of the theoretical background, an overview of several conspiracy theories, connected with the events of September 11th 2001, will be given. Each theory will be individually discussed and examined in regard of its use of language and how historical facts and findings are mixed up with clichés and biased subjective opinions of the authors. In the end there will possibly be a common scheme to identify of how the writers and publishers of such theories succeed in winning so many supporters.
Table of Contents
I Introduction
II Theoretical Background
1.1 What is a Conspiracy/Conspiracy Theory?
1.2 What makes a Conspiracy Theorist?
1.2.1 The Psychological Effect of Grave Events
1.2.2 Accessibility and Distribution
1.2.3 The American Tradition of Conspiracy Thinking
III Conspiracy Theories of September 11th
2.1 Fulfilment of Bible Prophecies
2.1.1 Satan in the Smoke
2.1.2 9/11 in the Bible
2.1.3 The WTC-Attack in the Bible Code
2.2 A Work of the Illuminati
2.2.1 Who are They?
2.2.2 Traces of Their Involvement
2.3 A Conspiracy by the Government
2.3.1 The Failure of the CIA
2.3.2 Quick Evidence and More Gains than Losses
IV Conclusion
Research Objective and Core Themes
This paper examines the rise and rhetorical structure of conspiracy theories surrounding the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. It aims to determine why such theories emerge, how they influence public belief, and what mechanisms are employed to frame these events within existing conspiratorial worldviews.
- Psychological and historical triggers for conspiracy thinking in the United States.
- The role of the internet in the distribution and consumption of fringe theories.
- Biblical interpretation and "Bible Code" arguments used to explain 9/11.
- Allegations of involvement by secret societies such as the Illuminati.
- Claims regarding government complicity and the instrumentalization of the attacks.
Excerpt from the Book
1.2.3 The American Tradition of Conspiracy Thinking
The key for the susceptibility of Americans to conspiracy theories lies supposedly within their own history and tradition. Peter Knight claims in his book Conspiracy Nation “that conspiratorial ideas have been crucial in shaping the destiny of the new nation” (2). He gives several examples for an American “tradition of counter-subversive-movements”, like the anti-Catholic movement in the 1830s, the anti-Mormon and anti-Masonic movements in the 1820s and 30s, and the anti-Communist movement during the McCarthy-Era in the 1950s (3). These reactions on supposedly subversive influences, respectively conspiracies against the American nation, can be simply read “as panicked responses to the increasing multiculturalism and globalization of the present” (Knight 4).
Since then, the function of conspiracy theories has changed. It is no longer restricted as a tool of political demonology, but “conspiracy thinking is now so pervasive and persuasive because it is no longer confined to the dogmatic assertions of political extremists. [... The] half-serious, half-cynical suspicion toward the ‘official version’ of events told by the authorities” (Knight 5), is the product of the development of a kind of “popular paranoia”, which is also a sign “of a countercultural opposition that encompasses a vast spectrum of political thinking, from the committed to the casual” (Knight 5). The fear of the individual of influence and control displayed by external forces plays an important role in that development (Knight 7). Conspiracy thinking therefore serves as a “way of conceiving the relationship between individual and society in America” (Knight 8). As an example for that serves the “daily involvement of “big government”, especially after September 11th 2001, which can either be interpreted as actions of the welfare state or as surveillance interference violating civil rights. Such susceptibility of the consumer alongside with the psychological effect of certain events, and the availability and accessibility of the corresponding media readies the ground for the seed of conspiracy theories; but what makes it bud?
Summary of Chapters
I Introduction: Outlines the historical context of American conspiracy theories and introduces the scope of the paper concerning 9/11 interpretations.
II Theoretical Background: Defines the core terminology and explores the psychological and sociological factors that make individuals susceptible to conspiratorial narratives.
III Conspiracy Theories of September 11th: Provides a detailed analysis of specific theories, ranging from religious prophecies and the Illuminati to government-led conspiracies.
IV Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, noting that these theories rely more on spectacular narratives and misinterpretations than on empirical evidence.
Keywords
Conspiracy theories, September 11th, paranoia, Illuminati, government, rhetoric, propaganda, Bible Code, psychological effect, United States, internet, skepticism, mythology, political demonology, media.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental subject of this research?
This paper investigates the nature and proliferation of conspiracy theories that emerged following the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers the psychological drivers of conspiracy theorists, the role of internet media in spreading these ideas, and specific narrative strands involving biblical prophecy, secret societies, and government complicity.
What is the central research goal?
The goal is to analyze how these theories influence public perception and to identify the rhetorical and psychological schemes used to make these claims appear credible.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses a qualitative approach, analyzing existing literature on conspiracy cultures, media content, and rhetorical analysis of common arguments found on websites and in books.
What is discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body evaluates concrete examples of 9/11 conspiracy theories, including interpretations of religious texts, alleged connections to the Illuminati, and accusations of internal government failure or orchestration.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include conspiracy theories, 9/11, rhetorical analysis, paranoia, government skepticism, and media influence.
How does the author explain the "Bible Code" arguments?
The author critiques the "Bible Code" as a pseudoscience, arguing that it relies on arbitrary mathematical patterns that can be manipulated to find desired meanings in any text.
What is the significance of the "New World Order" in these theories?
Conspiracy theorists often interpret "New World Order" rhetoric as evidence of a global elite's intent to establish a world dictatorship, frequently linking this to Masonic symbolism found on the US dollar bill.
Why does the author focus on the CIA's failure?
This section is included to demonstrate how real administrative or intelligence failures are exploited by theorists to support more extreme claims of intentional government involvement.
What is the author's final conclusion regarding these theories?
The author concludes that these theories are driven by a need for spectacular "truth" and an act of hyperactive semiosis, where coincidence is misinterpreted as evidence of a larger, hidden agenda.
- Quote paper
- Christian Schlegel (Author), 2003, The rhetoric of conspiracy - Theories of September 11th, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/78181
