Reptilian conspiracy theory
Reptilians (also called reptoids,[1] reptiloids, or draconians) are purported reptilian humanoids that play a prominent role in science fiction, as well as modern ufology and conspiracy theories.[2][3][4] The idea of reptilians on Earth was popularized by David Icke, a conspiracy theorist who says shape-shifting reptilian people control our world by taking on human form and gaining political power to manipulate our societies. Icke has claimed on multiple occasions that many of the world leaders are, or are possessed by, reptilians ruling the world.
Alien abduction
Alien abduction narratives sometimes allege contact with reptilian creatures.[5] One of the earliest reports was that of Ashland, Nebraska police officer Herbert Schirmer, who claims to have been taken aboard a UFO in 1967 by humanoid beings with a slightly reptilian appearance, who wore a "winged serpent" emblem on the left side of their chests.[6]
David Icke
According to British writer David Icke, 5- to 12-foot (1.5–3.7 m) tall, blood-drinking, shape-shifting reptilian humanoids from the Alpha Draconis star system, now hiding in underground bases, are the force behind a worldwide conspiracy against humanity.[7] He contends that most of the world's leaders are related to these reptilians, including George W. Bush of the United States, and Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.[8] Icke's conspiracy theories now have supporters in 47 countries and he has given lectures to crowds of up to 6,000.[9][10] American writer Vicki Santillano included it in her list of the 10 most popular conspiracy theories, describing it as the "wackiest theory" she had encountered.[11] A poll of Americans in 2013 by Public Policy Polling showed that 4% of registered voters believed in David Icke's ideas.[12]
Politics
In the closely fought 2008 U.S. Senate election between comedian and commentator Al Franken and incumbent Senator Norm Coleman, one of the ballots challenged by Coleman included a vote for Franken with "Lizard People" written in the space provided for write-in candidates.[13] Lucas Davenport who later claimed to have written the gag ballot, said, "I don't know if you've heard the conspiracy theory about the Lizard Men; a friend of mine, we didn't like the candidates, so we were at first going to write in 'revolution', because we thought that was good and to the point. And then, we thought 'the Lizard People' would be even funnier."[14]
"Evil reptilian kitten-eater from another planet" was a pejorative used to refer to then Ontario Liberal Party opposition leader Dalton McGuinty in a press release disseminated by the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario on September 12, 2003, during the provincial election campaign in Ontario, Canada.
In February 2011, on the Opie and Anthony radio show, the comedian Louis C.K. asked former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld a number of times if he and Dick Cheney were lizard people who enjoyed the taste of human flesh. Rumsfeld did not answer the question. Louis C.K. interpreted Rumsfeld's refusal to answer as an admission and further suggested that those who are lizard people cannot lie about it; when asked if they are lizards, they either have to avoid answering the question or say yes.[15]
On March 4, 2013, a video depicting a security agent with somewhat unusual features guarding a speech by U.S. President Barack Obama was spotlighted in a Wired report about shapeshifting reptilian humanoids, leading to a tongue-in-cheek response from the National Security Council spokesperson that "any alleged program to guard the president with aliens or robots would likely have to be scaled back or eliminated in the sequester."[16]
Skeptical interpretations
Skeptics who adhere to the psychosocial hypothesis of UFOs argue that the "Reptilians" mythos originates from V, a series of science fiction television movies, miniseries and series which first aired in 1983. In V, supposedly peaceful alien "Visitors", who appear human, arrive on Earth in giant flying saucers and initiate first contact. In fact, the Visitors wear masks concealing their true shapes. In their natural form, they resemble humanoid reptiles and eat living mammals. The Visitors commence a stealth alien invasion in which they set out subtly undermining the human, and, specifically, the American way of life. The creators of the series intended this as an allegory of fascism.[17]
A 1934 Los Angeles Times article may have been the origin of such beliefs. The article reported that a geophysical mining engineer claimed to have discovered subterranean labyrinths beneath Los Angeles to an underground city built by an advanced race of "Lizard People" to escape surface catastrophes some 5,000 years ago. This article, however, had remained obscure in the intervening years, even amongst consumers of conspiracy theories.[18]
See also
References
- ^ Judith Joyce, (2010). "also+known+as"&hl=en&ei=9PMiTY_pIYTJnAf134inDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDEQ6 The Weiser Field Guide to the Paranormal Abductions, Apparitions, ESP. Weiser. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) - ^ Lewis, Tyson (Wntr 2005). "The Reptoid Hypothesis: Utopian and Dystopian Representational Motifs in David Icke's Alien Conspiracy Theory". Utopian Studies. 16 (1): 45–75.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Frel, Jan (1 September 2010). "Inside the Great Reptilian Conspiracy: From Queen Elizabeth to Barack Obama -- They Live!". Alternet. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
- ^ Kristen Inbody (26 December 2010). "Fact or fiction? Tribune sets out to debunk 10 rural legends". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
- ^ The Shadowlands Mysterious Creatures page
- ^ Police Officer Herbert Schirmer Abduction - Ashland, Nebraska, United States - December 3, 1967 - UFO Evidence
- ^ Ronson, Jon. Beset by lizards, The Guardian, March 17, 200O1; Offley 2000a; Honigsbaum 1995.
- ^ David Icke Interview: Aliens among us
- ^ Lauren Cox (Dec 12, 2008). "What's Behind Internet Conspiracy Empires?". ABC News.
- ^ Mesure, Susie (28 October 2012). "David Icke is not the Messiah. Or even that naughty. But boy, can he drone on". The Independent. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
- ^ The Ten Most Popular Conspiracy Theories
- ^ "Conspiracy Theory Poll Results". Public Policy Polling. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
- ^ "Minnesota Senate Recount: Challenged ballots: You be the judge". Minnesota Public Radio. 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
- ^ "Why would someone vote for the Lizard People?". 2008. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
- ^ Del Signore, John (February 25, 2011). "Louis CK Repeatedly Asks Donald Rumsfeld If He's a Lizard Alien". Gothamist. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- ^ Beckhusen, Robert (March 26, 2013). "White House Can't Afford Its Shapeshifting Alien Reptile Guards". Wired. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
- ^ Barkun, Michael (2003). A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic Visions in Contemporary America. University of California Press; 1 edition. ISBN 0-520-23805-2.
- ^ Brian Dunning (2007-05-21). "Support Your Local Reptoid: What started the conspiracy theory that reptilian beings control our governments?". Skeptoid: Critical Analysis of Pop Phenomena. Retrieved 2012-02-11.
