Conspiracy Generator

Build a conspiracy theory from scratch.

The best way to learn to spot a conspiracy theory is to make one yourself.

Pick a real news story. On the next step you'll choose who's behind it and why. Then walk through the four moves real conspiracists use, with a debunk on every step.

▸ Start the exercisetakes 3 minutes!!
Built by Marco Meyer & Maarten Boudry  · Etienne Vermeersch Chair of Critical Thinking, Ghent University
Tonight's exclusive
YOU can be a conspiracist*
*for educational purposes only
The four moves you'll learn:
  1. Hunt anomalies — turn coincidence into evidence of a secret plot.
  2. Fabricate connections — draw lines between unrelated dots until they look meaningful.
  3. Dismiss counter-evidence — if a fact disagrees, make the fact part of the cover-up.
  4. Discredit the critics — dismiss people who point out flaws in your theory.
Step 1 of 3Step 1 — Pick a real news story↻ ↻ Refresh

Pick the event.

Choose whichever real-feeling headline your imagination will run wildest with. Don't overthink it.

Jagger: Rock legend turned "Instagram Normie
rollingstone.com

Jagger: Rock legend turned "Instagram Normie

Mick Jagger, the longtime frontman of the Rolling Stones, has been sharing unexpectedly ordinary moments from his tour life on Instagram. Instead of the usual glamorous or staged celebrity photos, his feed shows mundane outings—visits to local attractions, bars, strip malls and well‑known landmarks. He told The Washington Post that these images are less about spectacle and more about getting a feel for places, and he treats the account like a simple visual diary.

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17th-century vampire child found in Poland
independent.co.uk

17th-century vampire child found in Poland

Archaeologists in Poland have uncovered the skeleton of a child from the 17th century in a graveyard near Dąbrowa Chełmińska. The body was interred face down, and a small triangular padlock was placed beneath the foot bones. Researchers interpret the unusual position and the lock as deliberate measures connected to local burial customs intended to prevent the deceased from returning to harm the living.

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Scottish-Nordic similarity perceived by nationalists
yougov.co.uk

Scottish-Nordic similarity perceived by nationalists

Scottish nationalists argue that Scotland shares more in common with Nordic countries than with the rest of the United Kingdom. A YouGov poll found that between 52% and 61% of prospective SNP voters say Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway or Sweden are somewhat similar to Scotland, while only 31% of that group say England is similar. Those views are often cited to support calls for closer social and political alignment with Scandinavian models.

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Global Views on American Cultural Influence
yougov.co.uk

Global Views on American Cultural Influence

A YouGov survey carried out in nine countries across Europe, Australia and Singapore measured public views on American cultural influence. The study found that most people recognize U.S. impact in entertainment: 66% to 89% of respondents said American movies, television and music shape their local culture. Roughly half also reported significant American influence in news media, national political norms, everyday language and consumer brands, showing that perceptions extend beyond entertainment.

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Conspiracy Generator — the recipe, written out