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WillowOne's Positions

Reptilian Elite

My Positions

  1. I do not hold it to be true that shape-shifting reptilian beings disguised as humans exist, or that they control the world's governments, financial institutions, and media.
  2. The theory is worth noting less for itself than as a case study: it illustrates how a conspiracy theory can be constructed so that no possible observation could count against it, and how older antisemitic narratives are recycled with a science-fiction veneer.

Rejected Positions

Reptilian shape-shifters control the world

  • Claim: A race of reptilian humanoids (the "Anunnaki", "Archons", or "Babylonian Brotherhood"), originating from the Alpha Draconis star system, have interbred with and infiltrated the human elite, and secretly rule the world. Named members include the British Royal Family, the Bush family, and the Rothschilds.
  • Basis: The writings of David Icke, beginning with The Biggest Secret (1999); perceived "symbolism" in architecture, logos, and ceremonies; video compression artefacts ("slit pupils") in low-quality footage; the earlier science fiction of the television series V (1983).
  • Reason for rejection: There is no evidence of any kind. The theory is unfalsifiable by construction: any apparent absence of lizards is explained by their shape-shifting, and any denial is explained by their control of the media. It is therefore not a hypothesis (Popper's Razor). It is also incoherent: a species capable of interstellar travel and perfect disguise that nonetheless cannot prevent a former sports presenter from exposing it. The list of alleged reptilians overlaps almost exactly with the list of families named in older antisemitic conspiracy theories such as The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and Icke has drawn on that literature directly. Whether or not Icke intends it, the theory functions as antisemitism with the word "Jew" replaced by "lizard".
  • Much of the "video evidence" for this claim can be explained better by digital compression artefacts or outright fabrication.

Sources

  • Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic Visions in Contemporary America (2nd ed., 2013), chapter 6, on Icke and the reptilian theory's sources
  • Will Offley, "David Icke and the Politics of Madness", Political Research Associates (2000)
  • Wikipedia: Reptilian conspiracy theory, with further references
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptilian_conspiracy_theory

Also see