Titanic Switch website - a resource for battling misinformation on the Internet

[Dan E. Parkes]

The Titanic switch theory is understandably a very emotive topic, mostly banned on social media websites and forums due to the angry responses that ensue. I am certainly not wanting to start such a heated discussion here, but since it is mostly banned, it does allow the theory to sadly fester on the internet without any form of decent rebuttal. It is of course demonstrably false. Hence I have created a resource to help battle the misinformation which has had a recent resurgence due to the pandemic and the rise of conspiracy theorists such as John Hamer, who continues to make presentations this year on the 'switch' theory, regurgitating debunked claims.

The website is The Titanic 'Switch' Theory: Exposed

Firstly, it provides detailed information on the background of the theory and 25 key reasons why it simply cannot be true (The Titanic 'Switch' Theory: Exposed)

Secondly, it addresses all the known claims made about a 'switch' It is designed to be easily linked to. For example, if someone in the YouTube comments section claims they know the ships were 'switched' due to the so-called difference in portholes, you can directly link to a rebuttal of this claim by using the quick access menu at the top of the page and copying and pasting the link -which would be: The Titanic 'Switch' Theory: Exposed

Additionally, there are extra articles on the coal bunker fire theory and Federal Reserve theory as these are often brought into the conversation. And more recently an article on John Hamer, which addresses his 2021 switch presentations and podcasts: The Titanic 'Switch' Theory: Exposed - John Hamer

Via the language dropdown menu, the entire website can be instantly translated into one of 109 languages, and there is a website search box on the lower left-hand side.

Finally, I am indebted to the help of many in setting this up, in particular Mark Chirnside, Steve Hall and Ioannis Georgiou, but also thanks to Dr. Paul Lee, Senan Molony and Parks Stephenson. This is a privately funded and operated endeavour and so I rely on the help of others - so if you notice any errors or would like to contribute any material then please do contact me, as any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Hopefully, by working together, we can one day switch off the 'switch' theory.

 

[Thomas Krom]

It is my hope as well that one day we can debunk that theory once and for all. However it has been brought to my attention for as lately on the social media platform known as Discord that some videos related to the switch theory on a different social media platform named “Tiktok” and other conspiracy theories related to the Titanic struck it rather big with hundreds of thousands of views. I personally believe that this is quite dangerous for younger generations to have this theory planted in their minds as possibly factual.

 

[CM1971]

As much as it pains me to say this, but it’s an admirable undertaking, but possibly too idealistic. Unfortunately for the dreaded theory there will always be someone to exploit it, either for views, monetary gain, or even just done semblance of recognition. Also wasn’t Senan Molony in one of the NatGeo documentaries showcasing the coal bunker fire as a leading cause? I’m sorry if I’m mistaken.

 

[Dan E. Parkes]

As much as it pains me to say this, but it’s an admirable undertaking, but possibly too idealistic. Unfortunately for the dreaded theory there will always be someone to exploit it, either for views, monetary gain, or even just done semblance of recognition.

Of course, there will always be someone wanting to peddle a debunked theory. But the only way to combat misinformation is with information - and to make it as easily accessible as possible. I have already noted a turning of the tide in the last few years. I have been contacted by quite a few who have said they believed the theory because they knew nothing else, but once they had read the website could see it is impossible. Just one experience like that is a success! And in a survey of recently published books on conspiracy theories in my local bookshop, I noted that only one book out of five had the 'switch' theory - and that book labelled it "unlikely." So I think that is good progress.

Unfortunately, a recent TikTok video that went viral is trying to reverse that, so hence the need to keep this information updated.

Also wasn’t Senan Molony in one of the NatGeo documentaries showcasing the coal bunker fire as a leading cause? I’m sorry if I’m mistaken.

Senan is indeed the one behind that coal fire documentary - but that does not invalidate his other research. As I am sure you have already noted, he has written some excellent material on a variety of subjects here on ET and his research is invaluable to the Titanic community. His contribution to helping 'switch off' the switch theory is certainly appreciated as he raises some key issues.

 

[CM1971]

Senan is indeed the one behind that coal fire documentary - but that does not invalidate his other research. As I am sure you have already noted, he has written some excellent material on a variety of subjects here on ET and his research is invaluable to the Titanic community. His contribution to helping 'switch off' the switch theory is certainly appreciated as he raises some key issues.

You’re correct, I know and acknowledge that his work has been many a good read. I just remember him featured in “The New Evidence” documentary and just being surprised, that’s all.

I am disappointed that misinformation is getting around to younger generations. I hadn’t heard of the video going viral conspiracy though. But then again, I know of TikTocs existence but that’s about as far as that goes.

 

[Mike Spooner]

If you want to see the worse DVD Switch theory look no further than the
TITANIC The Shocking Truth by Andrew Newton. He makes mistakes after mistakes to the point you must think it a competition who can spot the most mistakes made. A true laugh indeed.

 

[CM1971]

If you want to see the worse DVD Switch theory look no further than the
TITANIC The Shocking Truth by Andrew Newton. He makes mistakes after mistakes to the point you must think it a competition who can spot the most mistakes made. A true laugh indeed.

I might have to watch it just for a cheap laugh, hah!

 

[Dan E. Parkes]

I hadn’t heard of the video going viral conspiracy though.

Yes unfortunately there is a TikTok "switch" video that is only a month or so old and yet at last count has racked up 74.9 million views, 12.6 million likes, and been forwarded 590,000 times. It will likely reach 100 million views shortly. This, I'm afraid, is what we are dealing with and so it is important that easily accessible information and rebuttal are available.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

I've bookmarked the site and I'll share it on my personal Facebook Page. It looks like a wonderful resource which I intend to make some good use of. With that said, here's a sad little reality pill: Conspiracy theories, however silly and easily debunked, are very old news.

The Plague in the Middle Ages came with it's own anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, the American Revolution was at least partly founded on the notion that the Crown wanted to enslave the colonies, and we all know about conspiracy theories surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. In my own country, QANON has latched right onto it as if the pandemic were some kind of proof that "THEY" are up to no good.

They'll never go away.

Fight them anyway. The only way this sort of insanity is kept out on the margins where it belongs is when people who know better fight back with facts.

 

[Steven Christian]

Yes unfortunately there is a TikTok "switch" video that is only a month or so old and yet at last count has racked up 74.9 million views, 12.6 million likes, and been forwarded 590,000 times. It will likely reach 100 million views shortly. This, I'm afraid, is what we are dealing with and so it is important that easily accessible information and rebuttal are available.

I think a lot of people like that stuff even when they know it's not true. Take any of the conspiracy theories. They generate a lot of traffic. Moon landing, JFK, ect ect. But it doesn't surprise me. I saw a stat once where CNN got 700K views. During the same time 23 million people watched funny cat video's on YT. But I checked out your link. It's a good site. We need more of those. Wiki and Snopes can no longer be trusted. Cheers.

 

[Dan E. Parkes]

I've bookmarked the site and I'll share it on my personal Facebook Page. It looks like a wonderful resource which I intend to make some good use of. With that said, here's a sad little reality pill: Conspiracy theories, however silly and easily debunked, are very old news.

Thanks, Michael, I appreciate that. And you are right, conspiracy theories are old news. The switch theory itself dates from as early as an article in 1914! But I think the difference is, and I have observed this during my own lifetime, is a slow shift from fringe to mainstream.

I date it from the late 1990s - coincidentally just after Gardiner released his first book (1996) - when there was a sudden increase in pseudo-documentaries principally on Princess Diana and the moon landings. This was then amplified by the events of 9/11 a few years later which I think created fertile ground for the trust no one/anti-authority movement in response to the current pandemic.

Who of us has not received a message from a family member or friend, intelligent people who we thought knew better - about the 'switch,' coal bunker, Federal reserve etc? Thanks to social media and a more "connected" world these theories can spread like wildfire and hence more innocent people get unwittingly caught out.

Fight them anyway. The only way this sort of insanity is kept out on the margins where it belongs is when people who know better fight back with facts.

Exactly! I am under no illusion that we can completely stamp out the 'switch' theory - but we need to ensure it stays in the fringes and keep it out of the mainstream. Which can only be done by ensuring there is fair and well-informed rebuttal. The website is definitely a work-in-progress, but hopefully, it can help.

 

[Steven Christian]

Thanks, Michael, I appreciate that. And you are right, conspiracy theories are old news. The switch theory itself dates from as early as an article in 1914! But I think the difference is, and I have observed this during my own lifetime, is a slow shift from fringe to mainstream.

I date it from the late 1990s - coincidentally just after Gardiner released his first book (1996) - when there was a sudden increase in pseudo-documentaries principally on Princess Diana and the moon landings. This was then amplified by the events of 9/11 a few years later which I think created fertile ground for the trust no one/anti-authority movement in response to the current pandemic.

Who of us has not received a message from a family member or friend, intelligent people who we thought knew better - about the 'switch,' coal bunker, Federal reserve etc? Thanks to social media and a more "connected" world these theories can spread like wildfire and hence more innocent people get unwittingly caught out.



Exactly! I am under no illusion that we can completely stamp out the 'switch' theory - but we need to ensure it stays in the fringes and keep it out of the mainstream. Which can only be done by ensuring there is fair and well-informed rebuttal. The website is definitely a work-in-progress, but hopefully, it can help.

"Which can only be done by ensuring there is fair and well-informed rebuttal."
That's the key and about all you can really do. Put the info out there for people to read themselves. Sadly even then many will say that Dan Parkes works for the man and is covering up the truth. Soon you'll be a CIA operative...LOL. But the other side of the coin is that authorities/govt help fuel the fire with a lot of these outlandish theories because they have gotten caught lying about so many legitimate things. Again you made a good site. Keep up the good work. Cheers.

 

[Dan E. Parkes]

Sadly even then many will say that Dan Parkes works for the man and is covering up the truth. Soon you'll be a CIA operative...LOL.

Yes, I have already received a lot of that over the years. The most common expression is that I am a "shill" - an expression I was unfamiliar with at first, as I believe it is a US term? But it comes with the territory.

Thanks for your kind words about the site It actually needs a lot more work, proper formatting, proofreading etc so is still a work in progress.

 

[Steven Christian]

Yes, I have already received a lot of that over the years. The most common expression is that I am a "shill" - an expression I was unfamiliar with at first, as I believe it is a US term? But it comes with the territory.

Thanks for your kind words about the site It actually needs a lot more work, proper formatting, proofreading etc so is still a work in progress.

Yes "shill" is a common term in the U.S. But that term wouldn't apply to your actions unless you were getting compensated so whoever called you a shill doesn't know the right term. Unless of course the WSL is sending you checks with their secret time machine. Powered by byzanium of course... A shill would be a person say like someone that advocates a certain position for an outfit that would later provide inside information so you would know when to buy or sell their stock for a profit. Or payoffs in other ways. Yes websites can/do take a lot of work to keep up with them. It's not easy, especially in the long term. Cheers.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

>>Yes, I have already received a lot of that over the years. The most common expression is that I am a "shill" - an expression I was unfamiliar with at first, as I believe it is a US term? But it comes with the territory.<<

On my side of the pond, it pretty much means you're some sort of party line Polly The Parrott spokesperson for the ever nebulous and ill defined "THEY" and "THEM" and a brainless one at that.

Another possibility is what Steven said above. Either way, it's not flattering.