Conspiracy theories
Throughout the book, we get little snippets of the outlier character, Nicholas Branch. He dedicates his life to figuring out as much as he can about Lee Harvey Oswald and the potential plot behind JFK’s assassination. When reading about him, I imagine him hunched over his desk, taking notes, while the small room becomes more and more crowded with specimens, books, and papers. The end goal of his research will be a final explanation of what happened, but it will be unavailable to the public. To me, Nicholas Branch represents an overworked American in a meaningless job.
However, to some people, searching for needles in haystacks is meaningful and vital to them. Since Oswald was detained and killed, thousands of conspiracy theories surrounding the event have been created. A countless number of people have gone over the videos and pictures of Oswald, looking for as many “clues” as they can. Yet, even all of this research has been fruitless and unhelpful. We still don’t know any more than we did from the Warner project, nor did we figure out if there was an external group that potentially influenced Oswald (if he even did it, which some people question).
The truth may be less important than the effects of JFK’s death. After the Warner project was released, 87% of Americans believed that Lee Harvey Oswald shot (and killed) JFK. However, 20 years after the assassination, 74% believe that Oswald had an accomplice, and 11% think that he worked alone. Just through these metrics, it is clear that skepticism in the government has permeated our society, for good or bad, and can be largely traced to this one event. Branch’s search for the answer is useless – regardless of whether or not Oswald worked alone, JFK is forever dead, as well as Oswald, Jack Ruby, and many other “side” characters. The various contradictions and intricacies revealed in the report are lost to history, and no amount of studying will ever tell us the truth.
Conspiracy theories have been present since the beginning of time. However, social media has made it much easier for people to avoid information they don’t agree with and become indoctrinated with a new reality. It is interesting that even though it has been nearly 60 years, these constant and ever-changing conspiracy theories about JFK’s death are still prevalent in our society and pop culture.
Thank you to everyone for making this class so much fun!! I learned a lot, and I enjoyed the many discussions we had together.
I think we are at a time in history where conspiracy theories have the most influence they have ever had. With QAnon and other conspiracy groups pushing crazier and crazier theories, I think we will be seeing a lot more people who don't believe mainstream narratives like Oswald working alone. I think we are on a dangerous path with conspiracy theories but I don't think anyone can really stop the direction we are already headed in.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think much about Nicholas Branch while reading Libra, but looking back, he was quite cool. I certainly don't envy his job - it seems very overwhelming - but he was the one going back in time to present the CIA storyline. I think your discussion on conspiracy theories in general is also interesting, especially how they work nowadays with social media. Social media sort of works as a filtering system to put the crazy theories aside, though it can also lead to those crazy theories completely taking over you if you fall into their trap, like with QAnon. Great post!
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