HowStuffWorks_Conspiracy_Theories

Listen in to learn how diamonds cartels created -- then brutally, and often illegally -- protected a multibillion dollar market across the world.

Could there really be groups of people conducting Satanic rites -- not philosophical stances, but actual devil worship via ritual or even sacrifice?

We hear about "big data" more and more these days - but how much of it is sensationalism, and how much is true? The answers may surprise you.

Impossibly tall, lingering in the edges of photographs throughout history, Slender Man has become one of the most well known urban legends of the digital age.

The path to the stars isn't all altruism and noble scientific advancement -- in fact, human activities in space have often been shrouded in secrecy, and the practice continues today.

When firefighters found the body of Teresita Basa murdered and disfigured in her Chicago apartment, the case seemed set to remain unsolved. Until a former coworker began speaking as if she were Teresita, seeking justice from beyond the grave.

What is the 'middle class' and is it possibly disappearing?

Who killed RFK? Originally found guilty for the murder of Robert Kennedy, Sirhan Sirhan has spent years in prison -- but some people believe he was used as a scapegoat.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been accused of everything from collusion with energy companies to attempting "back-door gun control." Join Matt and Ben to learn about the conspiracies surrounding the EPA.

People across the world believe that freemasons control the District of Columbia through the use of arcane symbols and geomancy. But why?

Antarctica is one of the most mysterious places on the planet. If the ice melted, what would we find beneath?

In 2009, Japanese nationals were caught trying to transport billions of dollars worth of US bonds to European banks. The US claims these bonds were fake, but others claim there's something bigger afoot.

At this point, witnesses across the world have claimed to see UFOs, even taking photos or video documentation. But where are these strange lights and craft coming from -- and why do some people believe the government's involved?

For nearly 50 years a vocal group of people around the world have remained convinced that NASA faked the moon landings. But if that's the case, why? What would the motivations for a hoax be, and how on Earth could it remain a secret for so long?

In the second part of our series on the 2016 presidential election we explore the facts, fiction, controversy and conspiracy theories surrounding the Clinton campaign.

Edward Snowden and Julian Assange are two of the world's most well-known whistleblowers and secret leakers, but they're far from the only ones. Join Matt and Ben as they take a closer look at 3 more whistleblowers.

According to mainstream science, dinosaur populations were wiped out eons ago. Or were they? Discover why some cryptozoologists and theorists believe that dinosaurs still exist today.

While humanity has yet to generate any universally-accepted proof of ghosts or hauntings, millions of people around the world report seeing apparitions or experiencing ghostly encounters every year. Why?

Most people probably haven't heard of the inventor T. Galen Hieronymus, but according to his advocates his machines are able capable of everything from remote analysis to remote healing -- so what is eloptic energy?

Nostradamus. Edgar Cayce. Baba Vanga. Have any of history's alleged psychics successfully predicted the future? Learn more as we look at humanity's efforts to predict the future, from ancient oracles to the bleeding edge of science.

For decades rumors of child abuse in the Catholic Church were treated as just that: rumors. However, in recent years, evidence has emerged proving, beyond any reasonable doubt, that the authorities knew, and conspired to cover it up for years.

There's a ranch located southeast of Ballard, Utah, bordering the Ute Indian reservation. Legally, it's called the Sherman Ranch -- but it has another name, too: the Skinwalker Ranch.

At the close of WWII, US allies created secret, "stay-behind" armies, designed to protect the population in the event of a Communist invasion. So why are they linked with terrorist groups?

The Washington monument is one of the strangest structures in DC. Join the guys as they explore the weird history of this iconic obelisk.

What if you had a credit score that measured more than just your wallet? What if it took into account your political leanings, Internet traffic, and social media statements -- and what if the same stuff from your friends could affect your score?