History Extra podcast Iron Mountain: the conspiracy that duped America
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Jul 22, 2025 
Phil Tinline, a journalist and author of 'Ghosts of Iron Mountain,' delves into the intriguing saga of the 'Report from Iron Mountain,' a satirical document that spiraled into genuine public belief during the Cold War. He discusses the eerie allure of conspiracy theories and how the chaotic political climate of the 1960s fueled distrust in government. Tinline emphasizes how this hoax's legacy continues to shape modern disinformation, revealing the fine line between fiction and fact in society's ongoing fight against misleading narratives.
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1960s American Distrust Deepens
- The 1960s were marked by deep distrust in the US government due to the Vietnam War and JFK's assassination.
- This distrust fueled a culture ripe for conspiracy theories and skepticism about official narratives.
Satirical 'Report from Iron Mountain'
- The Report from Iron Mountain was a satirical fake leaked government report published in 1967.
- It claimed peace would destroy the economy and argued for war's social necessity, sparking immediate controversy.
Satire Provokes Reflection on Authority
- The satire was designed to provoke thought about war and peace by mocking government logic.
- It intentionally blurred lines between reality and fiction to challenge readers' trust in authority.
