Oct
20
What are some differences between conspiracy theories and urban legends?
I can think of a lot of similarities. I want to teach a short class about conspiracy theories, so try to be serious.
Answer by Aenok
Conspiracy theories are theories developed about something while an urban legend is outdated and a myth that was just said to have happened that may not have. A conspiracy theory has evidence that may or may not be true and an urban legend doesn’t need evidence because it is said to have happened.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
There’s quite a few differences.
Conspiracy theories are generally large, over-reaching conspiracies to try to cover up a secret, or get something done (sinister or not). JFK is the most well-known series of conspiracies, along with 9/11 conspiracies, Illuminati, the Freemasons and other secret societies.
Urban legends are small, and have a much smaller impact. No one knows where they came from, as they generally happen to “a friend of a friend,” or “one time X happened.” They also vary greatly in detail. A popular urban legend in my area is that a homocidal maniac escaped an insane asylum in a bunny suit (it was Halloween, so no one thought anything of a man in a bunny suit). He then axed some people to death, or hung them off of a bridge. A less deadly example would be Bigfoot.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_legend
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspiracy_theory