Conspiracy theories are the main theme of the Tameside Radio Breakfast presenter's latest column.

This week, I watched the new big budget sci-fi blockbuster Moonfall, which in the acidic words of no-nonsense film critic Mark Kermode is ‘the stupidest movie I have ever seen.’

In fairness, it was fairly ridiculous, but enjoyable, with some jaw-dropping special effects and far-fetched moments galore as the moon came off its orbital path and began hurtling towards earth. 

The script made little sense, but there were some spectacular sequences as high tides flattened skyscrapers.

Legendary film director Roland Emmerich was apparently inspired by the book ‘Who Built The Moon?’, and numerous conspiracy theories around the moon landings that have been around for ages in certain corners for decades.

Leading star Halle Berry appeals for us to be open-minded around alternative views, telling Sky News: “I don’t think anybody’s beliefs are strange. I’m always open to what others think and what their points of view are.”

A few years ago, Stanley Kubrick’s daughter was forced to debunk the story that her dad staged the moon landings, even though he did of course direct the classic 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The Covid pandemic has exposed some interesting viewpoints, to put it mildly. The recent ugly baying mob surrounding Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, is just the latest example of how things can quickly get out of hand. 

We’ve seen with the murder of two serving MPs where extremist viewpoints can end up, and I am still shocked to the core that two families were robbed of their loved ones in such a cruel way.

The Yougov-Cambridge Globalism Project commissioned a survey of 25,000 people across 24 countries into different attitudes towards conspiracy theories. Surprisingly, the United Kingdom ranks pretty far down the table, with only three per cent believing that ‘coronavirus is a myth created by some powerful forces, and the virus does not really exist.’ India tops the poll, with a staggering 30 per cent agreeing with this statement, whilst South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria also rank highly.

Amazingly, a quarter of those polled in India firmly believe that the 1969 moon landings were faked, whilst half think a single group of people secretly rule the world together. I’m frankly staggered that anyone credits governments with this level of organisation, to be honest.

It’s easy to believe when you see a small but vocal group of protesters that conspiracy theories are rife in the UK, but I think it gives a warped perception of reality. I’ve also found for my own sanity that scrolling less on Twitter has lowered my blood pressure a little. I guess social media, encrypted Whatsapp messages and Youtubers making spurious claims all spread ridiculous ideas like wildfire, and it always amazes me how many people comment on stories in the so-called ‘mainstream media’ without even clicking on the link and reading the story first.

So why are conspiracy theories so easily believed by some? Dr Daniel Jolley, an assistant professor in social psychology at the University of Nottingham, thinks ‘blaming problems of the world on a secret powerful group can arguably make us feel a little bit better... but of course it then increases our mistrust because you then believe there are powerful people out to get you.’ 

We finally seem to be emerging from the gloom of the last two years, but I’ll still be wearing my mask in the supermarket, rolling my eyes at serial coughers in the cinemas and muting minor celebrities who use their status to push anti-vax views. 

Life is short, and I don’t want to waste my time trying to convince them any longer. I’d love to stick a few of them on the next flight to the moon, but perhaps that’s wishful thinking.

Oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day for Monday by the way. A big hug for making it to the end of this column! 

I’m hoping to celebrate losing my first stone with Slimming World Tameside on my show this week. No-one is more staggered about that than me! Only another couple of stone to go. Hear updates on Tameside Radio each Thursday just after 8am.

You can listen to Alex every weekday from 7am to 11am and on the 'Super Scoreboard' show on Saturdays from 3pm to 7pm, on Tameside Radio 103.6FM. 

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