Recently, popular culture  has been swarming with the ideas of conspiracy theories. People have made claims that the first moon landing was a hoax, politicians are actually reptiles in disguise and that the Earth is flat.

While many theories presented seem outlandish and often lack solid proof to back them up, some internet stars, like YouTube’s Shane Dawson, Kendall Rae and Buzzfeed Unsolved are trying to make some sense of this trend for those who believe and those who don’t.

For the past two years, YouTubers have been making an increasing amount of videos surrounding conspiracy theories and the stories behind them. Dawson is one of the most popular YouTubers who covers conspiracy theories with over 27 million views on his most watched conspiracy video.   In each video, he explains each theory, gives examples of each and adds in his own opinion on what he believes. With over 20 million subscribers, many teenagers watch Dawson and his videos, including senior Sophia Shook.

“I like watching Shane because the way he talks, you just believe what he says,” Shook said. “It’s just so cool to find a new way of thinking.”

Shook finds it important to be able to see different sides of things and that conspiracy theories can introduce one to multiple possibilities. Not only this, but Shook also finds the theories completely entertaining, especially the flat Earth theory.

In Shane’s video titled “Mind Blowing Conspiracy Theories,” he explains the popular flat earth theory. Since the beginning of exploration, there has been a great amount of people who believe that the earth is actually flat, not round. In 1956, the Flat Earth Society was formed and, along with millions of people online, have dedicated their time to researching and proving this theory to be real. These so called “flat-earthers” genuinely believe that there is a substantial amount of proof that the earth is not round, but is flat and encased in a wall of ice.

Another popular YouTuber who covers conspiracies is Kendall Rae, who has over one million subscribers. While her channel was originally known for her videos about beauty and makeup, she eventually dedicated her channel to conspiracy theories and true crime. She has covered conspiracies surrounding Disney, the Titanic, and musicians such as Avril Lavigne. A well-known theory about Lavigne claims that she passed away years ago and was replaced with a doppelgänger. As a result of this theory, Lavigne addressed the theory in an interview and claims that the theory is not true, but some are still skeptical.

Outside of addressing seemingly absurd theories, Shane Madej and Ryan Bergara of Buzzfeed Unsolved discuss theories and possibilities about unsolved mysteries and crime cases. Their content can reach from inexplicable paranormal experiences to mystifying urban legends. Each of their videos explains the topic, possible explanations and their own conversations about the topic. Madej and Bergara even go as far in their research to visit the places where what they are exploring has occurred.

Since millions of people follow and believe in theories or simply just enjoy the idea of exploring the deeper meaning in things, there is also a great chance of controversy to arise out of some of these theories. With the possibility of life besides humans existing or theories swirling up around celebrities, including Donald Trump, controversy follows close behind. Theories surrounding  President Donald Trump are some of the most controversial as he is one of the most powerful people in the world, yet people are still focused on what it is that makes him so tan or if he is the one that truly runs his Twitter or not. Trump has even entertained the idea of some conspiracy theories himself, his most recent being about an ex-FBI agent, which causes even more controversy.

According to junior Sidney King, a big factor that plays into the different issues surrounding conspiracies is just the simple fact that people don’t agree.

“People either believe them or they don’t,” King said. “People have different thoughts about them which causes arguments.” Even though she is  very interested in conspiracy theories and believes in some, King believes that overall conspiracy theories are definite causes of issues and controversies.

With hundreds of conspiracy theories existing on social media and with influential people using their platforms to inform others about them, it is highly speculated that more and more theories will be introduced and fixated upon over time.