Michael Snyder has given a useful summary of eight conspiracy theories that the mainstream once dismissed, but were eventually, reluctantly forced to accept when evidence became overwhelming.
1. Lab Leak Theory
For years, any suggestion that COVID-19 originated from a lab in Wuhan, China, was labelled as a baseless conspiracy theory. Scientists and officials who supported this idea faced censorship, professional ridicule, and de-platforming from major social media sites. However, as more information became available, intelligence agencies, including the CIA, began shifting their stance.
In 2024, the CIA publicly admitted that a lab leak is a more likely origin of the virus than a natural spillover event.
Declassified emails revealed that key scientists and public health officials were pressured to dismiss the lab leak hypothesis early in the pandemic.
The theory gained further credibility when it was discovered that the Wuhan Institute of Virology was conducting gain-of-function research on coronaviruses with funding from U.S. agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Dr. Anthony Fauci and other top officials were found to have known about the possibility of a lab leak early on, but actively worked to suppress discussion of it.
2. MKUltra
For decades, reports of a CIA-run mind control program were dismissed as fantasy, despite eyewitness accounts from victims and whistleblowers. Now, declassified documents confirm the existence of MKUltra, a covert program run from the 1950s to the 1970s aimed at developing mind control techniques.
The program involved unethical experiments on unwitting individuals, including LSD testing, electroshock therapy, hypnosis, and sensory deprivation.
Universities, hospitals, and even prisons were used as testing grounds for these experiments.
A large portion of MKUltra records was deliberately destroyed in 1973 by CIA Director Richard Helms, but some documents were later recovered and declassified in 2001.
Senate hearings in the 1970s exposed MKUltra's abuses, but no major figures were held accountable.
3. Fluoride in Drinking Water
For years, government agencies insisted that adding fluoride to drinking water was completely safe and beneficial for dental health. However, recent court rulings and scientific studies have raised concerns about fluoride's potential neurological effects, particularly in children.
In 2024, a federal judge ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take action on fluoride due to mounting evidence of its link to lower IQ in children.
Research suggests that fluoride accumulates in the brain and may impair cognitive function, especially in developing children.
The lawsuit against the EPA was based on studies showing that even low levels of fluoride exposure could be harmful.
The ruling has prompted further scrutiny of long-held assumptions about the safety of fluoridation.
4. Cancer-Causing Chemicals in Drinking Water
Mainstream media and government agencies had long dismissed concerns about harmful chemicals in drinking water, but recent studies have confirmed the presence of numerous carcinogens.
A 2019 study found 22 known cancer-causing chemicals in tap water across the United States, including arsenic, uranium, radium, and chlorine byproducts.
Some of the most dangerous contaminants come from outdated water treatment systems that fail to remove industrial pollutants.
Areas that rely on groundwater sources tend to have higher concentrations of harmful chemicals.
The findings have led to growing demands for stricter water quality regulations.
5. The "Dumbing Down" of America
For years, critics warned that the U.S. education system was failing students, but mainstream media defended public schooling. Now, national test scores show a dramatic decline in academic performance, confirming fears that American children are falling behind.
The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. reading scores in 2024 were the lowest since standardized testing began in 1992.
The decline in literacy and comprehension skills started before the pandemic but worsened significantly due to school closures.
Studies show that students are not only struggling with reading but also with basic math and critical thinking skills.
Some experts attribute the decline to lower academic standards, excessive reliance on technology, and a lack of discipline in schools.
6. Prescription Drug Deaths
The pharmaceutical industry and government health agencies have long minimized the dangers of prescription medications, but studies now confirm that adverse drug reactions are a leading cause of death in the U.S.
A Vanity Fair report titled "Deadly Medicine" revealed that prescription drugs kill approximately 200,000 Americans every year.
Many clinical trials for new drugs are now conducted in poor and unregulated regions, including China, Russia, and Poland, raising concerns about safety and oversight.
Commonly prescribed medications, including opioids, antidepressants, and blood pressure drugs, have been linked to severe side effects, including fatal overdoses.
Critics argue that pharmaceutical companies prioritize profits over patient safety and that regulatory agencies often fail to protect the public.
7. Aspartame Health Risks
For decades, major food companies and government agencies insisted that aspartame (a common artificial sweetener found in diet sodas and sugar-free products) was completely safe. However, recent health studies have led to increased scrutiny.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" in 2023.
Research has linked aspartame to cancer, neurological disorders, and metabolic issues.
Despite these concerns, food companies continue to use aspartame widely, while government agencies have been slow to take regulatory action.
8. Operation Paperclip
The idea that the U.S. government secretly brought Nazi scientists to America after World War II was once dismissed as Cold War propaganda. However, declassified documents have confirmed the reality of Operation Paperclip, a covert program that recruited Nazi scientists to work on U.S. military and space projects.
Approximately 1,600 Nazi scientists and engineers were smuggled into the U.S. to work on weapons, rocketry, and intelligence programs.
Many of these individuals were directly involved in war crimes and unethical human experiments during the Holocaust.
The program was originally classified under the name "Operation Overcast" before being rebranded as "Paperclip."
Some of the most infamous figures included Wernher von Braun, a former SS officer who played a key role in developing NASA's space program.
The program was designed to prevent Soviet Russia from acquiring Nazi scientific expertise during the Cold War.
These examples show that merely screaming that some idea is a conspiracy theory is no argument at all against its truth, because there really may be a conspiracy!
https://michaeltsnyder.substack.com/p/8-conspiracy-theories-that-the-mainstream