HowStuffWorks_Conspiracy_Theories

Soviet astronaut Yuri Gagarin was the first human being in space -- at least, officially. Could the Soviet government have destroyed evidence of other, less successful space missions? Tune in to learn more about lost cosmonaut conspiracy theories.

How did we get to the modern Bible? What was left out?

Decades of strange accidents and alleged disappearances have given the Bermuda triangle a terrible reputation -- but how much of this is deserved?

What exactly lurks in catacombs? Where are the world's largest? Join Ben and Matt as they dive into the murky world beneath our feet.

How many psychopaths actually exist? Are they more common than studies would have you believe? Is it possible you've met one without knowing it?

Almost everyone has dealt with a difficult boss -- but could yours actually be insane?

What really landed in Kecksburg, Pennsylvania? Who terrorized Los Angeles in 1942? Join Ben and Matt to learn more about unexplained UFO sightings.

The legend of the Jersey Devil dates back for centuries, and hundreds of people have reported seeing the creature. Yet despite extensive searches, no one has conclusively proven its existence.

What do Ouija boards actually do? Have some games really predicted the future? Tune in to learn more about conspiracy theories in the world of gaming.

Everyone has heard stories about sasquatch sightings, and tales of wild ape-men date back into prehistory. So why haven't we caught one yet? Learn more about bigfoot in this episode.

In this episode, Ben and Matt travel to DC for a closer look at the famous House of the Temple. Tune in to learn more about the odd history of this iconic temple.

After being jilted a day before his wedding and narrowly surviving tuberculosis, Latvian immigrant Edward Leedskalnin spent almost 30 years building Coral Castle out of huge blocks of stone. But how did he make it?

Did a cartel of business interests really collude to make light bulbs worse -- and increase profits at the same time?

It's true: China actively manipulates the weather. But how - and why? Tune in to learn the Stuff China Doesn't Want You To Know about modern weather manipulation and its possible long-term effects.

During the Cold War, a group of Soviet hikers disappeared in the Ural mountains. When they were finally discovered, it was clear that something had killed them -- but what, exactly?

What could fMRI, EEG and SSI have to with selling products to unsuspecting consumers? Join Ben and Matt as they take a closer look at the science behind neuromarketing.

The internet has revolutionized numerous disciplines, and propaganda is no exception. How can you know who's saying what -- and why -- online? Join Ben, Matt, and special guest Joe to learn more about the future of online manipulation.

What was COINTELPRO? What made it controversial? Do government agencies continue to infiltrate activist organizations in the modern day? Tune in to learn more.

Could we really discover intelligent life out there in the inky black of space? How? Listen in to learn more about SETI.

We read about cults - and their charismatic leaders - all the time. But how could you actually start a cult? What do most cults and their leaders have in common? Tune in to learn more.

For ufologists and skeptics alike, Project Blue Book had the potential to be a gold mine. Learn how the US Air Force launched an official UFO investigation that spanned decades -- and why some people suspect a conspiracy -- in this episode.

In ancient days civilizations across the world believed Earth was some sort of plane, a flat space in the absolute center of the universe. In recent weeks some celebrities have revived the concept. Is this a genuine belief or a marketing ploy?

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?

When impoverished inventor Nikola Tesla died in New York City, the U.S. government confiscated his notes. Why? Were they trying to steal his technology? Did they ever relinquish the notes?

Donald Trump, like his rival Hillary Clinton, has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories. But why? Tune in for a look at the allegations surrounding his campaign for president. Stay tuned for next week’s episode on the Clinton campaign.