Immediately after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, familiar conspiracy theories popped up among survivors.
The causes behind the Chernobyl disaster were both rare and complicated, making it a perfect breeding ground for conspiracy theories. Many of the rumors and conspiracies that popped up in the wake of the reactor meltdown are remarkably similar to the flavors of paranoia and conspiracism surrounding more contemporary traumas in the United States.
The scale of the evacuation, combined with the Soviet government’s efforts to keep the disaster quiet—the wider world was only alerted two days after, when radiation alarms went off at a nuclear power station in Sweden—resulted in conflicting information and wildfire rumors in the absence of clear communications.
Since Soviet authorities kept tight control of information coming out of the Chernobyl exclusion zone, rumors about the effects of radiation began to blossom. Stories spread about the grotesque mutations supposedly caused by the radiation, like descriptions of pike floating around local lakes without heads or tails.
The U.S. also sees theories spread about imagined FEMA camps and the “true” reasons for military drills like 2015’s Jade Helm. Their Chernobyl counterparts involved suspicion of government efforts during the ensuing cleanup of radioactive material . Most conspiracy theories inevitably expand to include extraterrestrials—those surrounding the Chernobyl disaster were no exception. Several people claimed, after the fact, to have seen flying saucers hovering over the power station in the hours before the explosion. Since UFOs are often paired with government cover-ups, Shimanskiy soon heard rumors of “a cosmic experiment being performed on us.”
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
Analysis | The GOP’s increasing embrace of Trump’s Russia conspiracy theoryWhen Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) first raised questions about the process of obtaining warrants using the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, GOP leaders cautioned it should not be used to undermine the Mueller investigation. That's exactly how it's being used now.
Lire la suite »
Analysis | William Barr leans in on his deep-state conspiracy theoryThe attorney general says the answers he's gotten have been 'inadequate' and suggests his Democratic critics 'may be concerned about the outcome of a review of what happened during the election.'
Lire la suite »
Opinion | Justice Department follows Trump’s order to chase insane conspiracy theoryThe GOP's position is that Russian interference in our election should never have been investigated in the first place.
Lire la suite »
Next-Generation Acela Rail Cars Taking Shape in N.Y. FactoryThe first of 28 new Amtrak Acela train sets are being built in upstate New York, part of a $2 billion fleet of high-speed trains due to begin running from Washington, D.C., to Boston two years from now.
Lire la suite »
Impact investing is the quiet revolution taking shape across our economy — and it’s just getting startedFearless leaders have been championing the idea that businesses can be a powerful tool for social good, writes National Geographic Society chairman Jean Case.
Lire la suite »
Florida takes shape as Joe Biden’s firewallJudging from the initial reaction to his presidential bid in the nation’s third-largest state, Florida is shaping up to be Joe Biden's firewall
Lire la suite »
Georgetown moves to expel two students in aftermath of admission scandal“Knowingly misrepresenting or falsifying credentials in an application can be cause for rescinding the admission of the student and dismissal from Georgetown,' the university said in a statement.
Lire la suite »