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When considering conspiracy theories, it is easy to get wrapped up in concerns about motive and past history, and forget to actually analyze what is going on. Other times, over analysis can be a problem, and conspiracy theorists miss the forest for the trees.

The idea of “Chemtrails” is a theory I’ve been alerted to by Dustin. The basic premise is that the government is spraying us with some sort of odd chemical(s) which can be seen in the form of contrails that persist far longer than they should. These chemicals are a part of everything from population control experiments to causing asthma and allergies.

Now, based on what I’ve read, I’m inclined to believe that Chemtrails are a myth. Like many conspiracy theories, they rely on highly improbable conditions to create effects that are easily explained by existing information.

For instance, its a well known fact that allergies and asthma is an increasing problem in America. But instead of looking straight for a conspiracy, why not look to the ever-increasing quantities of fossil fuel consumed and industrial pollutants released into the air. There is no unexplained problem that warrants looking for an explanation in a conspiracy.

For some good information, check out the following two links:

• Atmospheric Disturbances, Chemtrails, Chembusters – This link, particularly the “Open Letter Critical of ‘Chemtrails’ claims” at the top of the page, is very enlightening.

• Chemtrail Controversy – This website contains an explanation of why the idea of chemtrails has no basis, written by NOAA meteorologist Thomas Schlatter.

  To see the other side, here are a few links from groups that are concerned that Chemtrails are a reality:

• Chemtrails 911 – This site has information and many photos of supposed chemtrails. One thing to remember when viewing trails that appear to be very close, is that they may be at drastically different altitudes, only appearing close because of your perspective. The atmospheric conditions at 45,000 feet and 15,000 feet may be drastically different, causing trails to spread and dissipate at vastly different rates.

• Aerosol Operation Crimes and Cover-Up – This rather hectic site contains much of the same info as above. Photographs of trails, as well as various conspiracy theories. It also contains a message board. One user noted that they took their home air filter outside on a ‘chemtrail day’ and saw that the air outside was much cleaner than the air inside! Another user used this as further proof that chemtrails exist, though I don’t understand how it proves anything, seeing as how household pollution is caused by everything from candles and incense to carpets, ovens, and your air conditioner. If there is more pollution inside than outside, wouldn’t that suggest that it isn’t coming from the sky?

  One key point is to note that in many cases, problems caused by contrails are brought up, which are sometimes problems that are blamed on ‘chemtrails’. However, the problems supposedly caused by ‘chemtrail’ conspiracies are easily explained by existing knowledge of pollution and atmospheric disturbances. To ignore the existing explanation and hunt for a ‘secret’ explanation is not a logical course of action.

  Sometimes I think that there is a belief many people hold that they are the only ones who cares about the world, and that everyone else is either ignorant, or has sinister intentions toward the world. In order for a secret chemical spraying program to exist, there would have to be thousands of people who are both willing and able to hide a program’s existance, and be willing to spray chemicals on their own families and countrymen. Conspirators would be needed in the government, the military, the airplane maintainence industry, the petroleum industry, flight controllers, ground crews, etc. Thats a lot of places, and a lot of people. It is highly improbable that all of these people could maintain perfect secrecy about a project. Of course, the complete lack of evidence is always one of the hallmarks for a conspiracy theory.

  I’ll leave you to make your own decisions about chemtrails, but something I think you all should read is this essay on the Seattle Windshield Pitting Epidemic. In 1954 people in Washington began noticing odd pits in their windshield. Within days, reports from all over Washington, concentrated in Seattle, began pouring into police stations and government agencies about mysterious pits forming in people’s windshields. Vandals were blamed, until the reports began numbering in the thousands. Everything from cosmic rays to secret government nuclear tests to sand flea eggs were blamed. Eventually, researchers from around the country looked into the situation, and found that the pits had always been there, and were on all cars across the country. The cause? Gravel from the road due to normal driving wear and tear. People had just started to actually look AT the windshield, instead of THROUGH it. The power of suggestion from a few news articles was enough to convince them that they were part of this big problem. Its described today as a typical case of mass hysteria, people’s fears cascading and feeding off of each other, resulting in a vast misunderstanding.

  Try to keep this in mind when viewing information about Chemtrails. Are we looking so closely at them that we are seeing something we think is new? Is the power of a little suggestion enough to make us look at contrails with fear? I pride myself on an open mind, but I’m also keenly aware of the human tendency to behave quite irrationally, especially when it stems from a belief that we are ‘helping’ people by alerting them of a hidden danger.

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