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.