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368,379 people killed, 306,096 injured and over $2,815,931,000 in economic damages

What's the harm in believing in conspiracy theories?

Conspiracy theories are alternate explanations for real-world events, usually involving secret actions and motives. The Apollo program, JFK's assassination and the events of 9-11 are common topics. Read more about conspiracy theories

Here are 2,011 people who were harmed by someone not thinking critically.

Edward & Elaine Brown Age: 65 & 67

Plainfield, New Hampshire Arrested after police standoff

October 4, 2007 The Browns believe there is a conspiracy to deprive Americans of their life and liberty. They stockpiled supplies at their house and stopped paying taxes. Needless to say, the authorities take a dim view of this. Read more & more

Kent Hovind Age: 53

Pensacola, Florida 10 years in prison, $600,000 restitution

January 19, 2007 A noted proponent of Creationism, he also believes many conspiracy theories about the U.S. government. As a result he avoided paying taxes on his considerable income for years. He is now serving 10 years in federal prison. Read more

Dr. Nicholas Kollerstrom University College, London, England Fired

April 22, 2008 He wrote on the web that the Holocaust never happened and endorsed other conspiracy theories. He was fired from his unpaid fellowship at University College of London. Read more & more

Richard McCaslin Age: 37

Bohemian Grove, Monte Rio, California 11 years in prison

January 20, 2002 Horrified by (false) accusations about rituals at the Bohemian Grove he found on a conspiracy theory web site, he slunk into the private club expecting a gunfight. He was arrested and charged with felonies, for which he received a prison sentence. Read more & more

Gary McKinnon Age: 42

Glasgow, Scotland Indicted & extradited to U.S.

February 2001 - March 2002 This computer expert believes that the U.S. government has captured UFOs and is covering them up. Seeking to expose this, he hacked into computers seeking information. In July 2008 it was ruled he can be extradited to the U.S. to stand trial. Read more & more & more

Andrew Meyer Age: 21

Gainesville, Florida Tased

September 17, 2007 Meyer asked a question of John Kerry at a public event, implying that the 2004 presidential election was manipulated by a conspiracy. He got unruly while asking it and was subdued by police. "Don't tase me, bro!" became an instant catchphrase. Read more

Clay Shaw (businessman) Age: 55

New Orleans, Louisiana Prosecuted for conspiracy

March 1967 - March 1969 The district attorney believed conspiracy theories about the JFK assassination and thought Clay was involved. He was arrested and prosecuted. The jury exonerated him in less than one hour. Read more

Sammy Weaver Age: 14

Ruby Ridge, Idaho Died

August 21, 1992 His mother had a "vision" of a mountain-top home. His father believed in a Zionist consipiracy to rule the world and that apocalypse was near. They reacted badly when law enforcement arrived at their home, and Sammy ended up dead. Read more

Vicki Weaver Ruby Ridge, Idaho Died

August 21, 1992 She had a "vision" of a mountain-top home. Her husband believed in a Zionist consipiracy to rule the world and that apocalypse was near. They reacted badly when law enforcement arrived at their home, and two people died. Read more

thousands of children northern Nigeria Polio

February 26, 2004 Muslim clerics have spread the conspiracy theory that the polio vaccine is a western plot to sterilize or murder Africans. This has result in a boycott in some areas of Nigeria. This is just as the WHO was on the verge of wiping out polio entirely. Read more & more