Essay On Conspiracy Theory

Conspiracy theory in the world of celebrities

Conspiracy theory is an integral part of of modern culture and despite its durability it has not been a static notion. Rather, its portrayal in popular culture and in politics has constantly changed, and so has its meaning. What this idea tells us about modern life and culture shifts from one era to the next. Once, the term “conspiracy theory” was synonymous with fear and paranoia. Now, this same term might just as easily prompt a shrug or dismissive glance. In the modern world conspiracy theories are almost everywhere Some people belve that moon landing never happend, and that it was staged‘ in one of the hollywood studios. There are plenty of theories that american government was involved in 9/11. The polls conducted in 2003 in USA showed that over 70 % of people don’t belive that president Kennedy was killed by lone gunman. There is even a conspiracy theory that the WWII never happend! From quite possible to totally unprobale and stupid - conspiracy theories always draw attention of media and society. It’s interesting how important they are in the world of
celebrities, from very talented actors, singers, directors to even those who were famous becouse of just being famous. It’s obvious that conspiracies always make publicity, and I belive that there may be PR workers who specialize in creating such ideas, but the case is that people still belive in it.
The special ‚unit‘ of conspiracy theories concerns deaths of celebrities. If we look at the recent demises of famous people, we can find houngreds of conspiracies. From the recent death of Michael Jackson, who most problably died due to cardiac arrest, there is a theory that he was killed by his doctor, by his family, or, which is very common , that he faked his death to escape publicity. Why there is such a need to come up with this kind of ideas? I belive that In the world of media domination celebrities gained the status of super humans, some of them even after death are surrounded by religious-like, fanatic cult. If we look back in the history we can find an analogy with the legends surrounding kings, queens, famous fighters, and even saints. Did the idealization of idols of pop culture have gone so far that the ‘simple’ heart attack, drug overdose or suicide seems too trivial to believe in?
Jean Baudrillard believed that modern society has replaced all reality and meaning with symbols and signs, and that the human experience is of a simulation of reality rather than reality itself. He claimed that media and culture use signs, which he called simulacra, to create the perceived reality, Baudrillard believed that society has become so reliant on simulacra that it has lost contact with the real world on which the simulacra are based.
Isn’t the glamorous and fake world of celebrities a perfect example of this illusion?
Marylin Monroe died because of drug overdose, and even thou she had a history of 2 suicide attempts people didn’t want to believe that this one was just a successful one speculation over Monroe's death continues to this day and centers on her relationships with US President John F Kennedy and his brother, Robert Kennedy. Most of the theories allege she was murdered either by the CIA or Mafia, as she knew too much about the Kennedy links to organized crime. It’s obvious that media had the biggest impact on creating such theory, but why people believe in it. Marylin Monroe was always presented by media as an icon, blonde, a little bit silly girl, who everyone loved, and envied, it was hard to believe that someone so perfect, ‘who had it all’ wanted to kill
herself.
As I mentioned before one of the most common conspiracy theories concerning clebrities is the fake death. Elvis Presley died in 1977 from such common thing as heart attack, or as well ‚very popular‘ drug overdose, which was examined in 2 autopsies. And yet there are a million and one theories surrounding the death of Presley – by far the most persistent being that he somehow faked his own death in a bid to boost flagging record sales. Hundreds of thousands of supposed sightings of “the King” have been claimed in the three decades since. For faking their deaths are accused as well James Dean, previously mentioned Michael Jackson, Kurt Cobain, and even Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Many of still living celebrities quickly understood the potential of such information; death equals publicity. Recently such celebrities took advantage of this idea: Paris Hilton, Eminem, Lou Reed, Jsutin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Jonas Brothers, and many more.
It’s funny that people still believe in fake death theory in the world when the paparazzi can be found in every garden, garbage can on every tree near the celebrities’ house.

In my opinion the modern celebrities became the pantheon for the masses, and the conspiracies concerning them are similar to ancient legends. The illusion of exceptionality of those people lead them to believe that their life had a bigger meaning in the history, that they can suddenly escape the attention of the whole world and fake their own death. In a way they gain immortality through the constant deliberations about the conspiracy theories surrounding their death.