As censorship and secrecy rise, so do conspiracy theories
By Kent R. Kroeger (September 15, 2022)
Disclaimer: The following essay is not intended to endorse or promote any of the conspiracy theories mentioned herein.
The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) was the most watched podcast on Spotify in 2021, reports Variety, and appears to be the most watched podcast across platforms in 2022.
Arguably, JRE reaches 11 million viewers per episode.
By comparison, the most popular cable TV news show, Tucker Carlson Tonight, garners between 2 and 4 million viewers per episode.
So when Rogan talks, millions of people listen. Perhaps only the U.S. president can get more attention on demand.
And while I remain a loyal JRE viewer, occasionally I cringe when Rogan speaks conspiracy theory nonsense. I forgave him years ago for once believing the moon landings were staged, but from all appearances he remains open to a belief that the 9/11 attacks were more than just an al Qaeda operation.
In particular, two years ago he helped sustain (while cagily showing skepticism towards) one of the most pernicious conspiracy theories still circulating in the cybersphere: that the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center towers were motivated by an attempt to coverup Pentagon financial…
