Episode 243: Jewish Space Lasers feat Mike Rothschild
Aug 18, 2023
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Mike Rothschild debunks Rothschild conspiracy theories in his book, discussing their origins, anti-Semitism, scapegoating, and personal experiences. They also delve into wildfire conspiracy theories, the allure of blaming an unseen global force, and controversial claims of a secret Jewish-controlled space laser causing wildfires. A lighthearted conversation on financial crimes, taxes, and book release concludes the episode.
Conspiracy theories about the Rothschild family are rooted in anti-Semitism and blame Jews for societal ills.
Rothschild conspiracy theories persist despite the lack of historical evidence to support them.
The allure of Rothschild conspiracy theories lies in pre-existing beliefs and the desire to find someone to blame for societal issues.
Deep dives
The Origins of Conspiracism
Conspiracy theories are often recycled storylines and tropes from the past, remixed for new audiences. Many conspiracy theories, including those about the Rothschild banking family, are rooted in anti-Semitic narratives and stereotypes. The Rothschilds, known for their role in modern international banking and finance, have been the subject of countless conspiracy theories, which originated from a combination of their actual influence and the pervasive anti-Semitism that blamed Jews for societal ills. These conspiracy theories gained traction in the 20th century, despite the decline of the Rothschilds' wealth and influence. The stereotype of the omnipotent Jewish banker persisted, fueling conspiracy theories that falsely attributed grand acts of power and control to the family.
The Myth of Rothschild Conspiracy
The Rothschild conspiracy theories, while lacking historical evidence, have persisted and continue to be embraced by conspiracy theorists. The myths often center around events like the Napoleonic Wars and the Battle of Waterloo, falsely claiming that the family possessed insider information and manipulated financial markets for their own gain. However, these stories are products of fiction, lacking any concrete evidence. In reality, the decline of the Rothschilds can be attributed to changing banking practices, increased competition, and world events like wars and economic crises. Despite their diminished influence, the Rothschilds remain a symbol of power in popular culture conspiracies.
The Modern Perception of the Rothschilds
Today, the Rothschild family's once dominant role in finance has been diminished. They have faced scandals and regulatory scrutiny like other major banks, and are no longer considered among the wealthiest families in the world. The Rothschilds' financial operations have undergone changes, including mergers and adaptations to the evolving banking landscape. While they still maintain some financial activity, they no longer hold the same mystique or wield the extraordinary power portrayed in conspiracy theories. The persistence of Rothschild conspiracy theories reflects the enduring power of anti-Semitic stereotypes and the allure of the name, despite the lack of verifiable evidence to support these claims.
Conspiracy Theories and the Power of Storytelling
Conspiracy theories captivate people with their epic and exciting storylines, often resembling action or spy movies. These narratives thrive on big, world-changing motifs involving battles, money, palaces, gold, storms, and horses. The Rothschild family, being at the center of many historical events, seems like a plausible subject for conspiracy theories. Their immense wealth, influence in European finance, and connections to royalty and political leaders only add to the allure. While some of their actions, like involvement in colonization and resource exploitation, are true, conspiracy theories often twist these facts and fuel anti-Semitism. The power of these conspiracy theories lies in pre-existing beliefs and the desire to find someone to blame for societal issues.
Antisemitism, Conspiracy Theories, and the Rothschilds
Conspiracy theories surrounding the Rothschilds find their roots in the 19th century. Accusations against the family intensified after a train derailment owned by James de Rothschild in Paris in 1846, coupled with rumors of their involvement in the Battle of Waterloo. In France, where anti-Jewish sentiment was prevalent, these conspiracy theories gained traction. The Rothschilds' perceived dominance in European finance and involvement in global events fueled the narratives. Over time, these theories became entangled with anti-Semitism, leading to cyclical outbreaks of conspiracy theories targeting Jews, particularly the wealthiest ones. Despite evidence to the contrary, these theories still persist, capitalizing on public skepticism and the desire to find someone to blame for societal issues.
For hundreds of years the Rothschild banking family played a central role in conspiracist narratives. In the 19th century the Rothschilds’ massive wealth, war profiteering, connections to powerful governments, and pioneering banking strategies earned them well-deserved scrutiny. But myths about the Rothschilds eventually became a way to promote anti semitic attacks and disguise them as critiques of wealth and power.
To help us separate fact from myth when it comes to the Rothschild family, we are joined by repeat guest Mike Rothschild (who, despite his name, is not related to the banking dynasty.) In our discussion with his upcoming book, Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschilds and 200 Years of Conspiracy Theories, we cover everything from the origin of anti-semetic canards, how the Rothschilds became a financial force in Europe, the evolution of Rothschild conspiracy theories, and a major 21st century financial scandal involving the Swiss arm of Rothschild & Co.
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QAA's Website: https://qanonanonymous.com
Music by Pontus Berghe. Editing by Corey Klotz.
Mike Rothschild on Twitter
https://twitter.com/rothschildmd
Jewish Space Lasers by Mike Rothschild
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/733925/jewish-space-lasers-by-mike-rothschild/
REFERENCES
Rothschild family to take Paris-listed investment bank private
https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/rothschild-family-plans-take-its-paris-listed-investment-bank-private-2023-02-06/
1MDB: The inside story of the world’s biggest financial scandal
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/28/1mdb-inside-story-worlds-biggest-financial-scandal-malaysia
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