Buzz
Fringe theories are concepts that deviate from widely accepted views. These may include unproven hypotheses, historical fabrications, or claims lacking scientific credibility. Such theories frequently emerge around peculiar news, coincidences, geological anomalies, or unusual events, as unverified claims often spark curiosity and drive further exploration to uncover potential explanations.
10. The Franklin Prophecy
The Franklin Prophecy is a fringe theory suggesting Benjamin Franklin expressed anti-Jewish sentiments during the 1787 Constitutional Convention. Often labeled the Franklin Forgery, this belief has gained traction in Arab and Palestinian media. Supporters claim Franklin's speech, allegedly recorded by Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, argued against Jewish immigration to the United States.
The speech allegedly includes Franklin's warning that Jewish populations would grow significantly and attempt to alter the US government. Franklin supposedly believed Jews would resist assimilation and threaten Christian values. This notion has been echoed by journalists in Palestine, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, who argue that Franklin's 'prophecy is now manifesting in the US administration.'
In 2002, Osama Bin Laden referenced the Franklin Prophecy in his 'Letter to the American People.' However, numerous elements of the theory indicate it is a fabrication. The speech contains language from the 19th and 20th centuries, and historical records show Benjamin Franklin was supportive of Jewish communities, even aiding in the construction of Philadelphia's first permanent synagogue.
9. British Israelism
British Israelism is a belief system asserting that Western Europeans are descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. Originating in 17th-century England, the theory gained traction in the United States. Advocates like Richard Brothers and John Wilson claimed Anglo-Saxons were linked to ancient Scythian tribes. In 1783, a book titled 'The United States Elevated to Glory and Honor' highlighted parallels between the US and Israel.
During the 1870s, several organizations emerged in Great Britain and America to promote this theory. By 1919, the British-Israel-World Federation was founded in London, attracting notable political figures such as New Zealand's Prime Minister, William Massey. A central claim of the theory is that the British Royal Family descends directly from King David. In 1902, Mary Baker Eddy became the first to trace Queen Victoria's lineage back to King David.
Despite its widespread appeal, modern genetic studies contradict the theory. Research on Jewish Y-chromosomes indicates close ties to other Middle Eastern groups like Arabs, Turks, and Kurds. Critics argue the theory relies on speculative amateur research and lacks credible evidence, while supporters emphasize linguistic connections in place names and interpretations of historical texts.
8. The Most Royal Candidate Hypothesis
Harold Brooks-Baker, an Anglo-American journalist, gained fame for his genealogical studies of the British Royal Family. In his writings, Brooks-Baker proposed that every US presidential election has been won by the candidate with the most royal ancestry, a concept known as the most royal candidate hypothesis.
Brooks-Baker traced the ancestry of 33 US presidents to Alfred the Great and Charlemagne. In his book Burke’s Presidential Families of the United States of America, he proposed that George W. Bush is the 13th cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. Additionally, Brooks-Baker asserted that Queen Elizabeth is connected to the Prophet Mohammed. These claims have bolstered conspiracy theories suggesting that secretive groups like the Illuminati manipulate American elections by favoring candidates with royal bloodlines.
In 2010, a seventh-grade student from Watsonville, California, reportedly found that every US president except Martin Van Buren descends from King John of England. She made this discovery using a genealogy database created by her grandfather. King John, who signed the Magna Carta in 1215, laid early foundations for democracy by asserting that no freeman could be punished without due process. The Magna Carta is often seen as a precursor to the US Constitution.
The student, who is also related to King John, identified Barack Obama as her 18th cousin through his maternal lineage. After her findings gained media attention, she remarked that the connection was unsurprising, as many leaders share a desire for power. Critics argue that the likelihood of being related to British royalty is high, with estimates suggesting over 150 million Americans may have royal ancestry.
7. Toledot Yeshu
Sefer Toledot Yeshu ('The Book of the History of Jesus') is a medieval Christian text that portrays Jesus' life in a controversial manner. Widely regarded as a fabrication, the book has occasionally been treated as factual throughout history. It claims Jesus was born out of wedlock, engaged in 'heretical acts,' and met a dishonorable end. While depicted as wise, he is also shown disrespecting his elders.
The true origins of the Toledot remain unclear, though many believe it was shared orally before being written down in various forms. Research suggests over 100 manuscripts of the text survive, with the oldest dating to the 11th century. However, internal evidence hints at an earlier creation. Some scholars argue it was compiled no earlier than the sixth century, with its first recorded mention in 826.
During the Middle Ages, some Jewish communities reportedly used the Toledot Yeshu to challenge Christianity. The text was first translated into Latin by Dominican friar Ramon Marti in the 13th century. Banned by the church in 1405, it was later cited by Martin Luther in 1543 to criticize Jews. In 1614, Jewish convert Samuel Friedrich Brenz republished the book, presenting it as factual.
The Toledot draws on Midrash and Talmudic stories to challenge key Christian beliefs, such as the virgin birth and Jesus' ascension. It alleges Mary was seduced by a soldier named Ben Pandera, leading to Jesus' birth. After his death, Jesus' body is stolen but later recovered. In 1937, Jewish scholar Hugh J. Schonfield proposed the Toledot might predate earlier estimates and could be linked to the 'Gospel of the Hebrews.' Though less prominent today, the text remains a contentious topic in Christian discourse.
6. Ibragim Todashev Was Murdered
Ibragim Todashev, a Chechen-American, was fatally shot by an FBI agent on May 22, 2013. He was connected to Boston Marathon bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev and was killed during an interrogation about the bombing and a 2011 triple homicide in Waltham, Massachusetts. After nearly eight hours of questioning, Todashev reportedly confessed to involvement with Tsarnaev in the 2011 murders.
Initial reports stated Todashev was alone with the FBI agent when killed and had threatened officers with a knife, gun, or sword. These claims were later debunked, and it is now believed he was unarmed, though he may have wielded a metal pole or broomstick. The FBI has classified all case documents, leaving the true circumstances unclear.
The secrecy surrounding Todashev's death has fueled conspiracy theories suggesting the FBI silenced him to prevent revelations about the Boston Marathon bombings. He was set to travel to Russia two days after his death. The incident has sparked public outrage, and the FBI has restricted access to autopsy reports, citing an ongoing investigation.
The American Civil Liberties Union has demanded an independent probe into the shooting, and the Russian embassy in Washington has sought more information. The Washington Post has also pressed for clarity on Todashev's death. Like the Sandy Hook shooting, Aurora murders, and Boston Marathon bombing, misinformation and rumors have clouded the details, amplified by social media.
5. Spin
Brian Springer, a television director, advocates the fringe theory that a small group of US politicians, journalists, and TV personalities manipulate the media to influence public opinion and mislead Americans. In the early 1990s, Springer spent a year scouring back-channel satellite news footage for unreleased, controversial clips. He compiled these into his 1995 documentary, Spin, which explores behind-the-scenes footage related to the 1992 presidential election, the LA riots, and abortion protests.
Spin argues that the American media suppresses public discourse on key issues. The film includes a private exchange between George H.W. Bush and Larry King about the drug Halcion, contrasting Bush's demeanor before and after the cameras roll. It also highlights Larry Agran's 1992 Democratic presidential campaign, which gained traction but was excluded from debates and ignored by the media, ultimately leading to his obscurity.
The documentary shows Al Gore being coached on dodging abortion questions and Pat Robertson making offensive remarks about the LGBTQ+ community. It concludes that some presidential candidates are handpicked and promoted, while others are marginalized or ignored by the media. This aligns with the theory that the term 'conspiracy theory' was coined by the CIA to discredit those questioning mainstream narratives.
4. Hygiene Hypothesis
The hygiene hypothesis suggests that children in developed nations may face higher risks of allergic diseases due to limited exposure to infectious agents, which disrupts the natural development of their immune systems. This theory has been applied to explain various medical trends, such as the rise in allergies, the prevalence of autoimmune diseases, and the increase in acute lymphoblastic leukemia among young people in developed countries.
David P. Strachan first introduced the theory in a 1989 article in the British Medical Journal. Since then, it has been extensively studied in the context of allergic disorders. The hypothesis has evolved to emphasize the importance of bacterial exposure for immune system development, suggesting that excessive hygiene and advanced medical care might impair regulatory T-cell function. Some studies have even speculated that the hygiene hypothesis could be linked to autism.
While the research is intriguing, the theory remains controversial and is not widely accepted in the medical field. It also fails to offer a practical solution, as immunization and proper hygiene are essential for children. Other factors contributing to the rise in allergies in developed nations include infant formula feeding, increased allergen exposure, and pollution.
3. Fukushima Is Causing Widespread Nuclear Fallout
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster is estimated to have released about one-tenth the radiation of Chernobyl. A 2013 study found no observable physical health effects on the Japanese public due to radiation. In 2012, Stanford University projected that Fukushima's radiation could result in 15 to 1,300 cancer-related deaths.
However, by 2013, claims surfaced suggesting the Fukushima disaster's impact was far greater than reported. A fringe theory argues it is the largest nuclear disaster in history, surpassing Chernobyl. Proponents believe radiation has spread globally, causing health issues, and that Fukushima is not just experiencing leaks but an ongoing catastrophe that could last centuries.
Reports have stated that the radioactive plume from Fukushima would reach the West Coast of the US and Canada by early 2014, with significant effects felt in Japan by 2015. The radiation is expected to circulate globally for decades, while the Pacific Ocean faces pollution from the plant's continued failures.
In August 2013, Japan confirmed a massive leak of radiation-contaminated water at Fukushima. Approximately 400 tons of groundwater enter the reactor basements daily, stored in 1,000 tanks, some of which have leaked. To address this, Japan plans to construct a mile-long frozen wall beneath the plant to block groundwater from mixing with contaminated water.
Fringe reports claim that Tokyo is increasingly contaminated with radiation. A 2013 study indicated that Fukushima's nuclear fallout has led to 'significantly higher rates of congenital thyroid issues in infants born on the US West Coast and Hawaii.' Concerns over Fukushima have prompted calls in Japan, Canada, and the US for a system to monitor air pollution and seafood quality weekly.
21948. Donora Smog
In late October 1948, an unusual event occurred in Donora, Pennsylvania, a small town 39 kilometers southeast of Pittsburgh. Home to the Donora Zinc Works and American Steel & Wire factories, the town was enveloped by a thick, yellowish, toxic smog on October 27. Residents quickly reported respiratory issues, and by Halloween, 20 people had died, with half of the 14,000 population falling ill.
The Donora smog remains one of the deadliest air pollution incidents in US history. Following the disaster, cancer rates in Donora surged, and mortality rates stayed above average for years. Officials attributed the smog to a rare temperature inversion, which trapped sulfuric acid, nitrogen dioxide, fluorine, and other toxic gases at hazardous levels.
The Donora smog has fueled numerous conspiracy theories, particularly regarding US Steel's refusal to disclose records about the disaster, including air chemical analyses. Philip Sadtler claims to have discovered evidence of elevated fluoride levels in Donora. Former BBC journalist Chris Bryson has suggested the US Army minimized fluoride poisoning concerns, as fluoride was a byproduct of atomic research.
A prominent conspiracy theory alleges that the US government concealed fluoride's negative health effects, instead promoting its public health benefits and adding it to drinking water. Dr. Robert Carton of the EPA called fluoridation 'the greatest case of scientific fraud of the century, if not of all time.' Conversely, the CDC ranks water fluoridation among the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century, and it is widely used in dentistry and toothpaste.
1. Heriberto Lazcano Lazcano Is Still Alive
Heriberto Lazcano Lazcano, leader of the Los Zetas drug cartel, was reportedly killed in a police shootout on October 7, 2012. Known for his brutality, Lazcano commanded a 10,000-strong army and expanded his empire from the Rio Grande to Central America. Nicknamed 'The Executioner,' he was infamous for feeding victims to lions and tigers on his ranch. A skilled military tactician, he was trained in jungle and urban warfare, explosives, and grenade launchers.
Lazcano is believed to have murdered hundreds and employed torture to instill fear. One of his notorious methods, 'La Paleta' ('The Lollipop'), involved stripping victims naked and savagely beating them with a board. In 2011, he orchestrated the second San Fernando massacre, where Los Zetas killed 193 people, forcing them into gladiator-style fights with knives, hammers, and machetes.
In August 2012, reports indicated Miguel Treviño Morales had taken over as Los Zetas' leader. Despite this, the US and Mexican governments offered a $7 million bounty for Lazcano. In 2012, he was reportedly killed by the Mexican Navy, but his identity was only confirmed after masked men stole his body from a funeral home, prompting fingerprint verification.
Despite the evidence, many in Mexico believe Heriberto Lazcano is still alive. They argue that no identification was found on the body, and the recorded height did not match Lazcano's. Some have also pointed out inconsistencies and potential tampering in the images of the deceased.
