Welcome to the golden age of conspiracy theories
There's never been a better time to be a conspiracy theorist: government funded plans to dim the sun; a pop star embarking on a questionable space flight; supermarkets stripped bare after Spain and Portugal were plunged into a catastrophic blackout; Robot policemen on the streets of China; the US admitting to the existence of UFOs.
Like a lot of people my age, my gateway drug to the murky world of cover-ups was The X Files. For an hour each week, my young mind was exposed to alien abductions, secret societies, cannibal cults and paranormal phenomena. And my interest in the other worldly – and the people who wholeheartedly believe that humanity is being misled en masse – has never abated.
Since the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001, I have been an avid reader of conspiracy theories about all sorts of topics, from the ludicrous to the mundane.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Spectator
6 days ago
- Spectator
Welcome to the golden age of conspiracy theories
There's never been a better time to be a conspiracy theorist: government funded plans to dim the sun; a pop star embarking on a questionable space flight; supermarkets stripped bare after Spain and Portugal were plunged into a catastrophic blackout; Robot policemen on the streets of China; the US admitting to the existence of UFOs. Like a lot of people my age, my gateway drug to the murky world of cover-ups was The X Files. For an hour each week, my young mind was exposed to alien abductions, secret societies, cannibal cults and paranormal phenomena. And my interest in the other worldly – and the people who wholeheartedly believe that humanity is being misled en masse – has never abated. Since the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001, I have been an avid reader of conspiracy theories about all sorts of topics, from the ludicrous to the mundane.
Daily Record
24-05-2025
- Daily Record
Netflix's 'nail biting' new docuseries lands impressive 100% Rotten Tomatoes score
Netflix has released a new gripping miniseries about one infamous terrorist which viewers have hailed as a 'must watch'. A new Netflix documentary currently boasting an impressive 100% Rotten Tomatoes score has taken the streaming platform by storm as it surged up the top TV rankings. American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden is made by the same creators as American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon bombing and explores the counterterrorism efforts that were put in place by the US in response to the tragic 9/11 attacks. The Netflix mini series explores the lead up of events in the ten years it took to track down and capture Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind the terrorist attack. The three-part series pieces together archival footage and talking heads interviews to create a behind-the-scenes look at the governmental decision making at the time. Directors Daniel Sivan and Mor Loushy explained their aim in making the show was to transport viewers into these rooms in real time, building up from the initial intelligence which hinted an attack was imminent to working out who was responsible and seeking justice. The show aims to ask viewers what they would do in such a situation as the director's explained to Netflix's Tudum: "For us, the best way to understand history is to truly experience it. "Being thrown into the driver's seat after the worst attack in American history would rattle anyone, even these brave men and women who had devoted their lives to protecting Americans by assessing geopolitical threats and sounding alarms that were often ignored. "But the intelligence analysts didn't have time to grieve or reflect. They had a mission at hand: to figure out who did this and stop them before the next attack." Sivan and Loushy added: "American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden does not tell the story of the United States and the War on Terror. It tells the story of the people tasked to find the world's most wanted terrorist and bring him to justice. It [was] a hunt that changed their lives, America, and the world as we know it." The show's third and final episode gives the 2013 Hollywood blockbuster Zero Dark Thirty a run for its money in the its tense recreation of how Osama Bin Laden's compound in Pakistan was raided during the middle of the night by US soldiers on a nighttime operation that was all formed on the basis of a hunch he was inside after years of looking for him. Their mission was successful and Osama Bin laden was finally killed 10 years after 9/11 on May 2 2011. Netflix viewers already shared their reactions to the gripping show, taking to X to praise the direction, the Metro reports. @RakitaMode remarked: "American Manhunt Osama Bin Laden was a riveting documentary series. Just 3 episodes, most of which I've seen bits and pieces over several documentaries/movies. "But it was put together so well, especially the 3rd episode was nail biting cinema! Hard hitting! Must watch!" @AngelaBaevis echoed: "That Osama Bin Laden American Manhunt installment is soooo good. 10s to whoever produced & directed it." Other viewers did point out the one-sided nature of the documentaries, which strongly defended the CIA intelligence officers who spent years looking for Bin laden. @boredpeanutt shared: "Watching the American manhunt for Osama bin Laden on Netflix rn, and it feels like the main point of the show is to make people sympathise with the CIA and the intelligence officers for their years-long intelligence failure. It's an overkill at this point." @JakeQRyan agreed: "Netflix has released American Manhunt Osama Bin Laden which seems to feature the 'heroic' CIA Officers who worked in Alec Station?? "FBI & Congress blamed those clowns for actively concealing the presence of known Al Qaeda terrorists in USA before the 9/11 attacks. Not heroes. Idiots."
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE David Duchovny, 64, and Monique Pendleberry, 31, pictured with matching rings after secret wedding
and his longtime girlfriend Monique Pendleberry have secretly married. In exclusively pictures obtained by the newlyweds spotted wearing their wedding rings for the first time during a laid-back stroll in Malibu on Tuesday. The X-Files actor, 64, and Pendelberry, 31, have kept their romance largely out of the public eye since first being linked in 2017, making only a handful of public appearances together over the years. Their last major sighting was in New York City in September, and they previously walked the red carpet together at the 2023 premiere of Duchovny's Netflix film You People and at the Tribeca Film Festival. But this latest outing - with both Duchovny and Pendleberry flashing bands on their ring fingers - revealed they have finally taken their romance to the next level and a spokesperson has confirmed to that they have indeed wed. Duchovny sported a simple silver band on his left hand, while Pendleberry paired a gold band with a sparkling diamond ring. In exclusively pictures obtained by the newlyweds spotted wearing their wedding rings for the first time during a laid-back stroll in Malibu on Tuesday The couple have been together since meeting at a SunLife Organics Juicery, which Duchovny's friend Khalil Rafati owns, and where Pendleberry was an employee at the time. The New York City native was previously married to actress Téa Leoni, 59. The pair tied the knot in 1997 and quickly became one of Hollywood's most prominent power couples, often praised for keeping their private life relatively low-key despite their fame. However, their relationship hit a rough patch in 2008 when Duchovny checked himself into a rehabilitation center for treatment of sex addiction. The separation made headlines, but the two reunited in 2011, sparking hope for a lasting reconciliation. Despite their efforts, the couple quietly parted ways again and ultimately finalized their divorce in 2014 after 17 years of marriage. They share two children: daughter Madelaine West Duchovny, 24, who has begun forging her own path as an actress, and son Kyd Miller Duchovny, 21, who has largely stayed out of the spotlight. They previously walked the red carpet together at the 2023 premiere of Duchovny's Netflix film You People and at the Tribeca Film Festival The couple have been together since meeting at a SunLife Organics Juicery, which Duchovny's friend Khalil Rafati owns, and where Pendleberry was an employee at the time However, David and Tea's relationship hit a rough patch in 2008 when Duchovny checked himself into a rehabilitation center for treatment of sex addiction Despite their efforts, David and Tea quietly parted ways again and ultimately finalized their divorce in 2014 after 17 years of marriage Duchovny has remained devoted to co-parenting and frequently speaks fondly of his children in interviews. Meanwhile, David's latest move may mark a major new chapter in his life — now with a new bride by his side. The actor is parting ways with the Malibu estate he's called home for nearly two decades, listing it for a staggering $12.5 million. Though best known for his on-screen roles in The X-Files and beyond, Duchovny has stayed busy over the years with a string of creative ventures — from launching a podcast and publishing several books, including his 2021 novel Truly Like Lightning. But one of his proudest projects wasn't in entertainment — it was the restoration of an old train caboose nestled on his Malibu property. 'It's one of the things I'm most proud of that I've ever developed in my life,' Duchovny told WSJ of the caboose, which includes a living and sleeping area, dining nook, kitchen, bathroom, and even a roof deck. 'It's just an amazing little spot to be in.' Duchovny is now putting the caboose — along with his three-bedroom main house — on the market after snapping up the property for $4.75 million in 2016. The one-acre estate is tucked in Malibu's coveted Point Dume neighborhood, just steps from the beach and surrounded by some of Hollywood's biggest names. Meanwhile, David's latest move may mark a major new chapter in his life — now with a new bride by his side: The actor is parting ways with the Malibu estate The one-acre estate is tucked in Malibu's coveted Point Dume neighborhood, just steps from the beach and surrounded by some of Hollywood's biggest names He originally rented the property from The X-Files creator Chris Carter when he needed a Los Angeles base He originally rented the property from The X-Files creator Chris Carter when he needed a Los Angeles base. By 2016, he bought it for $4.75 million. He razed the existing house, and poured about $7 million into building the roughly 3,580-square-foot modern home. He shares the home with Monique and their dogs, Brick and Rookie.
