Given the nature of the post that will appear immediately adjacent to this one – “The Silurian Hypothesis“, PG discovered that Wikipedia has a page devoted to Conspiracy Theories that could surely contain some of the best writing prompts ever for authors writing in particular genres:
Aviation
Numerous conspiracy theories pertain to air travel and aircraft. Incidents such as the 1955 bombing of the Kashmir Princess, the 1985 Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash, the 1986 Mozambican Tupolev Tu-134 crash, the 1987 Helderberg Disaster, the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 and the 1994 Mull of Kintyre helicopter crash as well as various aircraft technologies and alleged sightings, have all spawned theories of foul play which deviate from official verdicts.[3]
Black helicopters
This conspiracy theory emerged in the U.S. in the 1960s. The John Birch Society, who asserted that a United Nations force would soon arrive in black helicopters to bring the U.S. under UN control, originally promoted it.[4] The theory re-emerged in the 1990s, during the presidency of Bill Clinton, and has been promoted by talk show host Glenn Beck.[5][6] A similar theory concerning so-called “phantom helicopters” appeared in the UK in the 1970s.[7]
Chemtrails
Main article: Chemtrail conspiracy theory
A high-flying jet’s engines leaving a condensation trail (contrail)
Also known as SLAP (Secret Large-scale Atmospheric Program), this theory alleges that water condensation trails (“contrails“) from aircraft consist of chemical or biological agents, or contain a supposedly toxic mix of aluminum, strontium and barium,[8] under secret government policies. An estimated 17% of people globally believe the theory to be true or partly true. In 2016, the Carnegie Institution for Science published the first-ever peer-reviewed study of the chemtrail theory; 76 out of 77 participating atmospheric chemists and geochemists stated that they had seen no evidence to support the chemtrail theory, or stated that chemtrail theorists rely on poor sampling.[9][10]
Korean Air Lines Flight 007
The destruction of Korean Air Lines Flight 007 by Soviet jets in 1983 has long drawn the interest of conspiracy theorists. The theories range from allegations of a planned espionage mission, to a US government cover-up, to the consumption of the passengers’ remains by giant crabs.
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370
The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in southeast Asia in March 2014 has prompted many theories. One theory suggests that this plane was hidden away and reintroduced as Flight MH17 later the same year in order to be shot down over Ukraine for political purposes. Prolific American conspiracy theorist James H. Fetzer has placed responsibility for the disappearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.[11] Theories have also related to allegations that a certain autopilot technology was secretly fitted to the aircraft.[12]
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over Ukraine in July 2014. This event has spawned numerous alternative theories. These variously include allegations that it was secretly Flight MH370, that the plane was actually shot down by the Ukrainian Air Force to frame Russia, that it was part of a conspiracy to conceal the “truth” about HIV (seven disease specialists were on board), or that the Illuminati or Israel was responsible.[11][13]
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Espionage
Israel animal spying
Conspiracy theories exist alleging that Israel uses animals to conduct espionage or to attack people. These are often associated with conspiracy theories about Zionism. Matters of interest to theorists include a series of shark attacks in Egypt in 2010, Hezbollah’s accusations of the use of “spying” eagles,[73] and the 2011 capture of a griffon vulture carrying an Israeli-labeled satellite tracking device.[74]
Harold Wilson
Numerous persons, including former MI5 officer Peter Wright and Soviet defector Anatoliy Golitsyn, have alleged that British Prime Minister Harold Wilson was secretly a KGB spy. Historian Christopher Andrew has lamented that a number of people have been “seduced by Golitsyn’s fantasies”.[75][76][77]
Malala Yousafzai
Conspiracy theories concerning Malala Yousafzai are widespread in Pakistan, elements of which originate from a 2013 satirical piece in Dawn. These theories variously allege that she is a Western spy, or that her attempted murder by the Taliban in 2012 was a secret operation to further discredit the Taliban, and was organized by her father and the CIA and carried out by actor Robert de Niro disguised as an Uzbek homeopath.[78][79][80][81]
Link to the rest at List of Conspiracy Theories – Wikipedia