How the Illuminati conspiracy theory started | BBC Ideas

Summary

The video script delves into the myth of the Illuminati, a secret society believed by some to control world affairs. It discusses the origins of the Bavarian group in the 18th century and its evolution into a modern conspiracy theory, fueled by Discordianism and the playful disinformation spread by Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea in 'The Illuminatus Trilogy.' The script also touches on how celebrities and media perpetuate these theories, often for entertainment, and invites viewers to question the reality of the Illuminati.

Takeaways

• 🎩 The Illuminati is often associated with secret societies and conspiracy theories involving powerful figures like Jay-Z, Donald Trump, and Katy Perry.
• 👁️ The all-seeing eye and other symbols are frequently linked to the Illuminati and have appeared in various media, including music videos.
• 🎶 Musicians and artists may reference the Illuminati for entertainment, similar to how Paul McCartney was rumored to have been replaced post a car crash, a theory he never denied.
• 🕰️ The original Illuminati was a Bavarian secret society from the 18th Century that opposed superstition and religious influence, unrelated to modern concepts.
• 📚 The modern conspiracy theory of the Illuminati stems from the Discordian movement, which began in 1965 and promoted the idea of chaos and misinformation.
• 📖 The Principia Discordia, a text from the Discordian movement, played a role in spreading the Illuminati myth.
• 📑 Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea wrote 'The Illuminatus Trilogy,' a novel series that mixed real and imaginary conspiracy theories to provoke thought and discussion.
• 💬 The authors of 'The Illuminatus Trilogy' intentionally spread misinformation about the Illuminati through letters to the press and fanzines to generate conversation.
• 🕴️ The theory suggests that the Illuminati, including its founder Adam Weishaupt, have been involved in significant historical events, such as the assassination of George Washington.
• 🌐 Despite being a cult favorite, the Illuminati rumors continue to thrive in online communities like 4chan and Reddit, where believers share and debate their theories.
• 🤔 The belief in the Illuminati conspiracy theory is a personal choice, and the video encourages viewers to question and interrogate such narratives.

Q & A

What is the Illuminati conspiracy theory about?

The Illuminati conspiracy theory suggests that there is a secret group of the world's most powerful people who are seeking to establish a new world order.

What symbols are commonly associated with the Illuminati?

Common symbols associated with the Illuminati include pentagrams, goats, and the all-seeing eye found on US banknotes.

How do musicians and artists use the Illuminati concept?

Musicians and artists often play around with references to the Illuminati for fun and entertainment, as seen in music videos like Rihanna's 'S&M'.

What was the 1966 conspiracy theory about Paul McCartney?

The 1966 conspiracy theory claimed that Paul McCartney of The Beatles had died in a car crash and was replaced by a Canadian DJ who looked like him and learned to play bass and sing.

What is the origin of the Illuminati as a historical society?

The Illuminati originated as a Bavarian secret society formed in the 18th Century, opposing superstition, religious influence, and state authority.

How did the modern concept of the Illuminati conspiracy theory arise?

The modern concept of the Illuminati conspiracy theory stems from the Discordian movement, which began in 1965 and promoted the idea of chaos and misinformation.

Who were the key figures behind the Discordian movement?

The key figures behind the Discordian movement were Greg Hill and Kerry Thornley, who later collaborated with Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea.

What is 'The Illuminatus Trilogy' and its significance in spreading the Illuminati myth?

'The Illuminatus Trilogy' is a series of novels by Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea that incorporated various conspiracy theories, including those about the Illuminati, and played a role in spreading the myth.

How did Wilson and Shea attempt to spread misinformation about the Illuminati?

Wilson and Shea wrote letters to the mainstream press, fanzines, and the letters page of Playboy, creating a conversation about the Illuminati and encouraging readers to question its reality.

What is one of the oddest theories in 'The Illuminatus Trilogy'?

One of the oddest theories in 'The Illuminatus Trilogy' is that Adam Weishaupt, the founder of the Bavarian Illuminati, assassinated George Washington and assumed his identity as President of the USA.

How do modern platforms like 4chan and Reddit contribute to the perpetuation of Illuminati rumors?

Modern platforms like 4chan and Reddit allow believers to swap their favorite versions of the conspiracy and champion evidence to prove the Illuminati's continued existence.

What is the final takeaway message from the video regarding the Illuminati conspiracy theory?

The final message is that the belief in the Illuminati conspiracy theory is a personal choice, and it's up to the individual to decide whether to believe in it or not.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 Illuminati Conspiracy Theories: Origins and Pop Culture References

This paragraph delves into the widespread rumors and conspiracy theories surrounding the Illuminati, a supposed secret society of the world's elite with intentions to establish a new world order. It mentions various celebrities like Jay-Z, Donald Trump, and Katy Perry who have been accused of being part of this group. The script also explores common Illuminati symbols such as pentagrams, goats, and the all-seeing eye, which are often found in music videos, including Rihanna's 'S&M'. The paragraph suggests that musicians and artists might be using these references for fun and entertainment, drawing a parallel to an old conspiracy theory about Paul McCartney's alleged death and replacement. It then provides historical context, explaining that the original Illuminati was an 18th-century Bavarian secret society against superstition and religious influence, which has no connection to the modern concept. The modern myth is traced back to the Discordian movement and the works of Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea, who authored 'The Illuminatus Trilogy,' a novel series that intentionally spread chaos and misinformation about the Illuminati, blending fiction with enough truth to seem plausible. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing that the belief in the Illuminati conspiracy theory is a personal choice, and viewers are encouraged to subscribe for more content.

05:02

👋 Sign Off and Future Engagement

The final paragraph serves as a sign-off from the video script, indicating that the content has come to an end and the viewer can expect to see more in the future. It is a brief and simple closure, without any substantial information, but it plays a crucial role in maintaining viewer engagement by prompting them to subscribe and enable notifications for new videos. This ensures that the audience stays connected and informed about upcoming content.

Keywords

💡Illuminati

The Illuminati refers to a historical secret society formed in the 18th century, which opposed superstition, religious influence, and state authority. In the context of this video, the term is associated with modern conspiracy theories suggesting a shadowy elite group controlling the world. The script mentions that various celebrities have been accused of being part of this group, and it explores the origins and evolution of the Illuminati myth.

💡Conspiracy Theory

A conspiracy theory is an explanation of an event or situation that invokes a conspiracy—generally one involving powerful actors and secret, unpredictable mechanisms—to account for an outcome. In the video, the Illuminati conspiracy theory is discussed, including its origins from the Discordian movement and its spread through culture and media, such as music videos and print.

💡Secret Society

A secret society is a group that operates in secrecy, often with its own rituals and symbols. The term is used in the script to describe the original Bavarian Illuminati and to contrast it with the modern, imagined version of the Illuminati that is part of conspiracy theories.

💡New World Order

The new world order is a conspiracy theory suggesting a totalitarian world government led by a powerful elite. In the video, it is mentioned that the Illuminati is said to be seeking to establish such an order, indicating the group's supposed grand ambitions.

💡Pentagrams

A pentagram is a five-pointed star that has been used historically in various religious and occult practices. In the context of the video, pentagrams are identified as one of the symbols associated with the Illuminati, often seen in conspiracy theories and popular culture.

💡All-Seeing Eye

The all-seeing eye is a symbol representing the watchful gaze of an omnipresent, all-knowing entity. It is found on US banknotes and is referenced in the video as a symbol often linked to the Illuminati, suggesting surveillance and control.

💡Music Videos

Music videos are a form of visual media that combines music with imagery to promote a song. The script mentions that references to the Illuminati have cropped up in music videos, such as Rihanna's 'S&M,' where a fake newspaper with a headline declaring her affiliation with the Illuminati is featured.

💡Discordianism

Discordianism is a parody religion that promotes chaos and challenges established norms. The video explains that the modern concept of the Illuminati stems from the Discordian movement, which used humor and disinformation to spread conspiracy theories.

💡Principia Discordia

The Principia Discordia is the founding text of Discordianism, which was published using a photocopier in the 1960s. The video mentions this text as a key element in the spread of the Illuminati conspiracy theory.

💡The Illuminatus Trilogy

The Illuminatus Trilogy is a series of novels by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson that incorporates various conspiracy theories, including those about the Illuminati. The video discusses how the trilogy contributed to the spread of the Illuminati myth by blending fiction with plausible elements.

💡Adam Weishaupt

Adam Weishaupt was the founder of the original Bavarian Illuminati. The video mentions a bizarre theory that Weishaupt assassinated George Washington and assumed his identity, with believers pointing to Washington's portrait on the US one dollar bill as evidence.

💡4chan and Reddit

4chan and Reddit are online platforms known for their discussion boards where users can share and discuss various topics. The video notes that these platforms are places where Illuminati rumors continue to be shared and discussed, showing the ongoing interest in conspiracy theories.

Highlights

The Illuminati is often associated with powerful figures like Jay-Z, Donald Trump, and Katy Perry, suggesting their involvement in a secret society aiming to establish a new world order.

Symbols linked to the Illuminati, such as pentagrams, goats, and the all-seeing eye, are prevalent in popular culture, including on US banknotes.

Musicians and artists may reference the Illuminati in their work simply for entertainment, similar to how conspiracy theories are enjoyed by the public.

A historical conspiracy theory from 1966 claimed that Paul McCartney of The Beatles died and was replaced, a theory he has never denied, suggesting he finds amusement in such stories.

The original Illuminati was a Bavarian secret society from the 18th Century that opposed superstition, religious influence, and state authority.

The modern concept of the Illuminati is not related to the Bavarian group but stems from the Discordian movement, which began in 1965.

Discordianism promoted the idea of chaos and mischief, with its founders actively spreading disinformation about the Illuminati.

Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea wrote 'The Illuminatus Trilogy,' incorporating various conspiracy theories and encouraging readers to question their authenticity.

The trilogy mixed real and imaginary events to create a sense of plausibility around the Illuminati and other mysteries, such as the assassination of JFK.

One of the oddest theories suggested that the founder of the Bavarian Illuminati, Adam Weishaupt, assassinated George Washington and assumed his identity.

Despite not being a mainstream bestseller, 'The Illuminatus Trilogy' became a cult favorite and was even adapted into an eight-hour stage play.

Illuminati rumors continue to thrive on platforms like 4chan and Reddit, where conspiracy believers share and champion evidence of its existence.

The belief in the Illuminati conspiracy theory is a personal choice, not dictated by any shadowy elite.

The video encourages viewers to subscribe and click the bell for notifications on new content, indicating an interactive and engaging approach to the topic.

Transcripts

Is Jay-Z really in the Illuminati?

Is Donald Trump? Is Katy Perry?

Am I?

Everyone from the BBC to Beyoncé

has been accused of being part of the Illuminati -

a secret group said to comprise of the world's most powerful people

seeking to establish a new world order.

Even if you haven't heard of the Illuminati,

chances are you've probably seen one of the symbols associated with them.

Pentagrams, goats,

even the all-seeing eye that's found on US banknotes.

References have also cropped up in music videos,

such as Rihanna's S&M,

which featured a fake newspaper with a headline declaring her...

So why do musicians and artists

like to play around with references to the Illuminati?

I think quite simply, they're just having fun.

They're just entertained by these stories like many of us are.

I'm reminded of a conspiracy theory from 1966

that Paul McCartney of The Beatles had died in a car crash

on the way home after doing some recording

and he'd been replaced by a Canadian DJ

who looked a lot like him and quickly learned to play the bass and sing.

Paul McCartney has never denied this conspiracy theory.

He's always kept quiet about it

and I think McCartney, like Jay-Z, Rihanna and others,

is just entertained by the story.

So who are the Illuminati?

Are they really a shadowy elite who control the world?

The Illuminati were, to the best of our knowledge,

a Bavarian secret society formed in the 18th Century.

It opposed superstition, religious influence and state authority.

They even created a rule book which stated that...

The Bavarian group eventually faded into irrelevance

and has nothing to do with modern concepts of the Illuminati.

The conspiracy theory that we know about today

stems from the Discordian movement.

The story goes that Discordianism began in 1965

in the office of a Texas drug attorney.

Two schoolmates...

...used the office photocopier to publish copies

of the Principia Discordia, the movement's founding text.

The book promoted the idea that...

...and Discordianism gathered steam throughout the 60s and 70s

with Hill and Thornley actively trying

to cause mischief and spread disinformation.

Their mission was expanded even further by two other Americans -

a writer called Robert Anton Wilson and his friend Robert Shea.

Wilson was editor at Playboy

and the two of them decided they would write a novel

and they would throw all of the great conspiracy theories into this novel

and call it Illuminatus.

And in fact, they enjoyed it so much they turned it into a trilogy.

They decided that it would be fun to try and spread

a little chaos and misinformation deliberately about the Illuminati

and they did this by writing letters to the mainstream press,

by writing letters to fanzines - which were popular at the time -

but also through the letters page of Playboy itself.

They would also write in letters from imaginary readers

saying that the Illuminati weren't real at all

or were kind of sitting on the fence.

It didn't really matter, what did matter is that all these people

seemed to be generating this conversation about the Illuminati.

And the idea was that you, as the reader,

were supposed to question that,

interrogate it, ask, "Are they really real?"

The myth travelled far and wide.

Wilson and Shea's The Illuminatus Trilogy

attributed some of the mysteries of the time,

such as, "Who shot John F. Kennedy?" to the Illuminati.

Although the multitude of conspiracy theories

that appear in the trilogy are imaginary,

they're blended with enough truth to make them seem plausible.

Probably the oddest theory was the suggestion that

Adam Weishaupt, the founder of the Bavarian Illuminati,

assassinated George Washington and assumed his identity

{as President of the USA.

Believers of this theory point to Washington's portrait

on the US one dollar bill

which they suggest is actually the face of Weishaupt.

Despite its lack of mainstream sales the trilogy became a cult favourite.

It was even made into a mammoth eight-hour stage play in Liverpool,

launching the careers of British actors Bill Nighy and Jim Broadbent.

The 70s print magazine culture seems distant now

from our globalised hyper-connected internet,

but Illuminati rumours are still rife on websites such as 4chan and Reddit

where believers swap their favourite versions of the conspiracy

and champion evidence to prove it's still in existence.

Ultimately it's not down to a shadowy elite whether you choose to believe

in the Illuminati conspiracy theory or not.

It's up to you.

Thanks for watching. Don't forget to subscribe

and click the bell to receive notifications for new videos.

See you again soon!