Conspiracy theories abound, some more plausible and popular than others, but what if some of the most common ones were true?

People who read and write spec-fic love “what if?” questions. It’s a way for the imagination to run free, unbound by expectations. So what about those theories?

Turn off your logical switch for a few minutes and imagine with me. What if…?

Conspiracy Theory 1: Area 51

So many mysteries and questions surround this one, ranging from interesting to fanatical. The Area 51 theory is a magnet for opinions and wild ideas. The fact that Area 51 exists can’t be denied, but what do they use it for? Unfortunately—or maybe not depending on your view—the answer is simple.

Area 51 is a secret base for S.H.I.E.L.D., where they perform all their top-top-top secret tasks and keep top-top-top secret artifacts and 0-8-4s. Turns out T.A.H.I.T.I. isn’t in the middle of the ocean after all—it’s in the middle of the desert.

Have fun thinking about that one.

Conspiracy Theory 2: Shakespeare Wasn’t the Bard of Avon

Some people say Shakespeare wasn’t the genius of literature we’ve all been led to believe he was. Since there aren’t many concrete details about his life, it’s easy to see why people would question his authenticity as the Bard of Avon.

If Shakespeare didn’t write all those poems and plays, who did? The answer may surprise you.

Elves. More accurately, elves of Middle-earth.

If you’re a fan of Tolkien, you probably know that he intended Middle-earth to be a mythic saga of England, a history of his land in ages long forgotten. Taking that forward, assume a few rogue elves decided not to travel into the west and remained as our history began. They’re immortal, so it wouldn’t be hard for them to live until medieval times.

Elves have a way with poetry and they’re a naturally artistic people. Romeo and Juliet is a love story echoing the tale of Beren and Luthien, a famous tale among the elves, and Shakespeare was a master of language, as are many elves. It’s no surprise then that a random elf—or a handful—could be the true Shakespeare.

It makes you wonder if they’re still around.

Conspiracy Theory 3: JFK Assassination

If you’re familiar with X-men, you might be thinking, “Duh, Magneto.” That was an interesting take, but it’s been done. We’re shooting for new, uncharted territory.

How would science fiction or fantasy explain the Kennedy assassination?

Look no further than a shady little organization known as the League of Shadows. They’re top-rate assassins, so it wouldn’t be surprising for them to kill someone, then place the blame on a bystander and slip back into the shadows undetected.

What about their motive? Last time I checked, the League doesn’t operate by conventional standards. If I had to guess, I would say that once upon a time, someone offended someone and then a grudge formed and the need for vengeance and upholding honor and justice and all that rubbish.

Or maybe Kennedy was related to Ra’s al Ghul and his departure for the less threatening arena of American politics didn’t sit well. If you run across Oliver gallivanting across the country in his sports car, ask him.

Conspiracy Theory 4: Chemtrails

You know those white tails jets leave behind in the sky? Those are supposedly chemicals spraying into the air. Some people think the government is behind a sinister plot to kill us.

Actually, it’s Thanos.

He wants to wreak havoc and ruin, and as a villain he’s obligated to do nasty things to people. Killing them at the expense of travelers going to Europe or the Caribbean definitely falls into the dastardly deed category.

It’s a subtle, brilliant move to stir chaos and create division on earth but shift the blame elsewhere. From what we’ve seen, Thanos excels at pulling the strings from behind the scenes. While everyone is busy worrying about death from the sky, Thanos will be working to bring death from the stars.

Makes you think twice when you see those puffy white trails on a clear afternoon.

Conspiracy Theory 5: New World Order

You might not recognize this one…until you think Freemasons and the National Treasure movies. Yep, that conspiracy, but with the more threatening motive of taking over the world.

Those schemes are as abundant as knights in a castle, but who could be behind this plot to subject the world to tyranny? One of the most feared creatures in the universe. A deadly enemy that slips through the cracks and plans from the shadows of lost memory.

The Silence.

The all-seeing eye, made famous in National Treasure, symbolizes the constant watch the Silence have on humanity, often in unexpected and obvious places. Secrecy surrounds the New World Order conspiracy, which is no surprise given that anyone who sees one of the Silence immediately forgets the encounter as soon as he or she turns away.

In reality, the plot to take over the world is one to make silence fall.

Would the real Doctor and TARDIS please show up now?

There you have it—five conspiracies explained by sci-fi and fantasy.

Which alternate explanation is your favorite? Which one sounds most plausible? I would love to hear your thoughts.