The New Statesman | UK politics and culture America's greatest hoax
Apr 17, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Phil Tinline, a writer and author of Ghosts of Iron Mountain, delves into the 1967 Iron Mountain hoax and its far-reaching impact on American perceptions of truth. He explores how a satirical report criticizing government war strategies was misinterpreted as fact, highlighting the dangerous intersection of satire and authority. Tinline draws connections to modern conspiracy theories like QAnon, examining how hoaxes have evolved with the internet and social media, and the ongoing struggle between objective facts and emotional narratives.
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Iron Mountain Hoax Explained
- The 1967 "Report from Iron Mountain" was a satirical hoax about a secret government report on the need for war to sustain the economy.
- It blurred satire and conspiracy, causing lasting public confusion and mistrust in government intentions.
Cross-Political Appeal of Hoax
- The hoax was created by left-wing satirists but was co-opted by right-wing conspiracy theorists.
- This reflects overlapping distrust of government from different political perspectives, centered on a shadowy elite.
Hoax Creator's Regretful Revelation
- Leonard Lewin, one of the hoax creators, was blindsided to find far-right groups republishing the fake report as truth.
- He expressed dismay upon learning his satirical work fueled conspiracy beliefs decades later.