Project Blue Beam: A Conspiracy Theory Straight out of 'Star Trek'

Whether you’re fascinated by them or dismissive, conspiracy theories are here to stay. To truly endure, a conspiracy theory must offer an engaging story and resonate with an audience that either struggles or refuses to engage in critical thinking.

Project Blue Beam exemplifies this perfectly: While it may not even qualify as quality science fiction, it thrives by exploiting its audience’s fears and lack of knowledge, maintaining a certain level of popularity as a result.

In essence, the theory claims that NASA’s Project Blue Beam is a global domination scheme. To grasp the origins of this outlandish idea, let’s take a step back and explore its roots.

What Did Project Blue Beam Come From?

The concept of Project Blue Beam originated from Canadian journalist Serge Monast, who delved into obscure government conspiracies during the 1990s.

In 1994, Monast released a book named "Project Blue Beam (NASA)" via the Presse Libre Nord Américaine publishing house. He expanded on the scheme in public talks and his subsequent work, "Les Protocoles de Toronto (6.6.6)."

Similar to many conspiracy theorists, Monast appeared to grapple with a mix of psychological and situational challenges. While his early journalism career was relatively ordinary, he gradually immersed himself in unconventional ideologies and paranoid narratives over the years.

By the 1990s, Monast had almost entirely shifted his focus to documenting sinister conspiracies. Reliable information about his life is scarce, but in his final years (he passed away from a heart attack in 1996), he faced legal troubles. His children were placed under state care, and he spent his last night in jail following an arrest for unspecified charges.

Project Blue Beam: NASA and a New Age Religion

Project Blue Beam falls under the umbrella of "New World Order" conspiracy theories. It suggests that covert, influential global entities (often referred to as The Illuminati) are plotting to establish a one-world government aimed at subjugating humanity.

These hidden elites are sometimes depicted as extraterrestrial, while other times they are not; the theory boasts countless variations.

Project Blue Beam is allegedly a NASA initiative designed to usher in this New World Order. Monast argued that this goal could only be achieved through the creation of a new global religion, which NASA and its allies would orchestrate as part of a "New Age" movement.

4 Phases of Project Blue Beam

Monast's writings outline a four-phase plan for this alleged program.

1. Undermine Current Abrahamic Religions

By fabricating geological events (such as artificial earthquakes) and archaeological findings, new "revelations" will challenge the core tenets of major religions, particularly Christianity and Islam, which are the most widespread.

2. A Global Laser Light Show

Holographic projections will be displayed worldwide, creating the illusion of a significant spiritual or supernatural occurrence to deceive humanity.

3. Telepathic Trickery

To amplify this global spiritual deception, advanced technology will project voices directly into individuals' minds, convincing them they are receiving telepathic communications from divine or supernatural beings.

4. Mass Chaos

Chaos will ensave on an unprecedented scale. This will be driven by additional deceitful tactics, such as a staged alien invasion and a simulated nuclear response, combined with widespread human confusion, leading to the rapid breakdown of society.

At this point, the New World Order will step in, presenting itself as the solution to the chaos while seizing complete control over all aspects of life worldwide [source: Monast's 1994 Lecture transcript].

Naturally, the conspiracy doesn’t stop there. Once the World Government and its military dominance are in place, individuals worldwide will be forced to swear loyalty to it (and, allegedly, Lucifer). Those who resist will face enslavement, torture, execution, experimentation, or other forms of suffering.

Why Do People Believe in Project Blue Beam?

Long-lasting conspiracy theories often remain vague enough to withstand scrutiny. Although Monast suggested specific dates for Project Blue Beam’s execution—all of which have passed—believers can always reinterpret or extend the timeline to keep the theory alive.

Recently, the surge in public interest surrounding drone sightings along the Eastern seaboard and other regions has given conspiracy theorists fresh ammunition. Numerous social media posts linking these sightings to Project Blue Beam have emerged, despite the fact that Monast never mentioned drones in his writings.

Are Drone Sightings Evidence of Project Blue Beam?

If you’re inclined to believe, almost anything can serve as proof! Recent sightings, many of which appear to involve standard aircraft and consumer drones, have garnered significant attention.

In today’s social media landscape, misinformation spreads rapidly. While uncertainties persist, it’s improbable that these aerial phenomena signal an approaching New World Order, even if some sightings involve military equipment.

For example, in a Newsweek interview, Miss Cummings, director of the Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center at George Mason University, expressed doubt that these sightings point to foreign state involvement or even that some were large drones.

It’s more plausible that at least some of these sightings were manned aircraft misidentified by amateur observers [source: Newsweek].

Sci-Fi and Recycled Ideas

If this sounds like something straight out of a science fiction novel, movie, or TV show, you’re not far off.

In 2010, blogger Christopher Knowles wrote on his Secret Sun website about the uncanny parallels between Project Blue Beam and the concepts of Gene Roddenberry, the mind behind Star Trek. Notably, key elements of the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "Devil's Due," which debuted in 1991, align closely with Monast’s theories.

Roddenberry had drawn these ideas from an unused script for the original series, a fact also highlighted in Joel Engel’s biography of Roddenberry. Interestingly, the book was published in 1994, shortly before Monast’s lecture on Project Blue Beam.

Further Reading: How Deep Do You Want to Go?

Conspiracy theories aren’t just the domain of fervent believers in tinfoil hats. They are also a focus of academic research, offering intriguing insights into individual and collective human behavior.

Although Monast’s theories have gained global traction online, much of the scholarly analysis of his work is available in French, particularly in two books by Pierre-André Taguieff, a French philosopher specializing in racism and antisemitism.