A Journey From The 1938 War of the Worlds to the 2024 Solar Eclipse
Eclipsed by Fear
Studies suggest that news outlets often amplify fear, creating a population that is easier to control.
Introduction
In 1938, a seismic event shook the United States, not in the form of an earthquake or a war, but through the power of radio. The renowned orator, Orson Welles, took to the airwaves to dramatize H.G. Wells’ science fiction novel, “War of the Worlds.” This wasn’t just any dramatization; it was one that would lead to a societal reaction that few could have predicted.
This article presents several values and perspectives:
Understanding Media Influence: This article explores the power of media, both in the past with Orson Welles’ radio broadcast and in the present with the reaction to the 2024 solar eclipse. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of how news and social media can shape public perception and behavior.
Historical Context: By drawing parallels between the 1938 “War of the Worlds” broadcast and the 2024 solar eclipse, this article provides a historical context that enriches the reader’s understanding of societal reactions to perceived threats.
Critical Thinking: This article encourages readers to be discerning consumers of news and to question the information they receive, particularly when it incites fear or panic.
Scientific Curiosity: The discussion about the unusual observations during the 2024 solar eclipse can spark readers’ curiosity about our solar system and the universe. It invites readers to consider alternative theories and unknowns in our understanding of celestial events.
A Look Back at Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds
“War of the Worlds,” penned in 1895, tells the tale of a war between humans and aliens. When Welles brought this story to life over the radio, he did so with such realism that listeners were led to believe that humans were indeed under attack by extraterrestrial beings1.
The impact of this broadcast was nothing short of extraordinary. Many listeners, unaware of the fictional nature of the broadcast, reacted with panic and fear. The streets were filled with pandemonium — car accidents, screams, and general mayhem ensued, all sparked by the belief that humanity was under attack by aliens.
In the aftermath, it was revealed that this was merely a dramatized broadcast. Still, the incident served as a stark reminder of the power of media and its ability to sway public sentiment and behavior.
Interestingly, this event caught the attention of the Rockefellers, who saw potential in the influence of such broadcasts. They embarked on a study of this broadcast, aiming to understand how they could harness this power to shape populations. From The Corbett Report2, we read the following:
But there was something to the Halloween Scare. The City Manager of Trenton, New Jersey—mentioned by name in the broadcast—even wrote to the Federal Communications Commission to demand an immediate investigation into the stunt. In response, a team of researchers fanned out, collecting information, conducting interviews and studying reports about the panic to better understand what had happened and what could be learned about this new medium’s ability to influence the public.
The team was from the Princeton Radio Project—a research group founded with a two-year, $67,000 grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to study the effect of radio through the lens of social psychology. The team was led by Hadley Cantril, the old Dartmouth College roommate of Nelson Rockefeller who had written in 1935 that “[r]adio is an altogether novel medium of communication, preeminent as a means of social control and epochal in its influence upon the mental horizons of men.”
This event, which took place in 1938, remains a significant moment in broadcasting history. While some may be familiar with Orson Welles’ infamous dramatization, most are not. This begs the question: Could such a phenomenon occur again in the future? Could a broadcast—better yet, a deep fake—once again hold such sway over the public?
The 2024 Solar Eclipse - A Modern-Day War of the Worlds?
Two weeks ago, in 2024, the world braced itself for a solar eclipse. While this celestial event occurs every so often, the 2024 eclipse sparked an unprecedented level of chaos and fear. Rumors swirled, suggesting that this eclipse would trigger World War 3, which may have prophesied the attacks between Iran and Israel. Other tales hinted at demonic attacks or the revelation of extraterrestrial life.
In response to these rumors, people prepared for an apocalypse. They sought shelter, purchased radiation suits, and caused what can only be described as pandemonium3. Travel increased, and even Airbnb reservations and policies were impacted by the eclipse. Still, it begs the question to ask: Why did a natural event incite such widespread panic4?
The answer lies in the power of news and social media. These platforms propagated stories of doom and gloom, fueling fear and uncertainty. This is not a new phenomenon. In fact, it mirrors the public reaction to Orson Welles’ 1938 radio dramatization of “War of the Worlds.”
Now, two weeks post-eclipse, we can see that none of the predicted catastrophes have occurred.
So, what can we learn from this event? How does the reaction to the 2024 eclipse reflect our society’s relationship with news and social media?
The Aftermath of the 2024 Eclipse - Lessons and Questions
The 2024 solar eclipse has come and gone, leaving us with more questions than answers. One thing, however, is clear - the role of news and social media in shaping our perceptions and reactions to events.
Firstly, the eclipse served as a stark reminder of the power of news to incite fear and chaos. Studies suggest that news outlets often amplify fear, creating a population that is easier to control. If we wish to resist this manipulation, we must be discerning consumers of news. Avoiding sources that stoke fear and anxiety is a crucial first step.
Secondly, the eclipse raised intriguing questions about our understanding of the solar system. Videos circulating on Instagram5 showed both the moon and the sun during the eclipse, suggesting the presence of a disk over the sun. This contradicts the traditional understanding of an eclipse, where the moon passes in front of the sun.
This discrepancy has sparked conversations about the possibility of unknown celestial bodies, such as the “black sun.” While these ideas are speculative, they remind us that our understanding of the universe needs to continually evolve.
In conclusion, the 2024 eclipse was more than a celestial event. It was a societal phenomenon that highlighted the power of news and raised intriguing questions about our universe. As we move forward, let’s remember to approach doom and gloom narratives with skepticism, discernment, and courage, as they often serve to control us rather than inform us.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences related to the eclipse.
As always, stay tuned for more insightful discussions, and remember to stay focused on your seven pillars of life.
Ashe.
Questions To Reflect On
How has your perception of news and media been influenced or changed after reading about the societal reactions to the 1938 “War of the Worlds” broadcast and the 2024 solar eclipse?
What are your thoughts on the idea of unknown celestial bodies and our evolving understanding of the universe? How does this impact your view of scientific knowledge and discovery?
Action Items and Next Steps
Evaluate Your News Sources: Take some time to review the news sources you regularly consume. Are they balanced and reliable, or do they tend to propagate fear and anxiety? Consider diversifying your news sources to include outlets that provide different perspectives.
Engage in a Discussion: Share the article with friends, family, or colleagues and initiate a discussion about the themes covered in the article. This could be a great way to gain different perspectives and deepen your understanding of the topics discussed.
Awaken with Unorthodox Truth
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Notes and References
It is interesting to note that around this time, the US, thanks to H.G. Wells’s predictive programming, began to envision a reality of “space travel.”
https://corbettreport.com/whathathgodwrought/
All this was somewhat reminiscent of the predictive programming placed by the Netflix movie “Leave The World Behind” just last year.
In anticipation of previous eclipses there was a spirit of anticipation and excitement. There were PSAs about how to safely view the eclipse, etc. I found it odd that there were government warnings about possible internet and power outages, recommendations to stock up on food and water, etc. I told several people about the warnings, and all of them responded, "Why? It's an eclipse. They happen all the time." I am now wise to government propaganda and knew that because they were announcing the possibility of those things happening, nothing was going to happen. I believe that in order to manifest whatever they have planned for their next ritual, they needed to first capture the psychological energy created by their fear-porn campaign surrounding the eclipse, which also holds significance for them.
Fear has always worked , just ask the Church