Illuminati Obsession: Why We Can’t Get Enough of Secret Societies
Have you ever found yourself going down a YouTube rabbit hole about the Illuminati at 2 AM? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. The Illuminati has captured our collective imagination for centuries, evolving from a real (but short-lived) secret society into one of the most enduring conspiracy theories of all time. But why are we so obsessed with the idea of a shadowy cabal pulling the strings behind world events? Let’s dive into the psychology behind our fascination with secret societies and explore how the Illuminati myth has shaped pop culture and public perception.
A Brief History: From Bavarian Book Club to Global Conspiracy
The story of the Illuminati begins in 1776 (yep, the same year as the American Revolution) in Bavaria, Germany. A law professor named Adam Weishaupt founded the group as a kind of Enlightenment book club on steroids. Their goals? Promote reason, advance education, and oppose religious influence in public life. Pretty radical stuff for 18th century Europe.
The original Illuminati only lasted about a decade before being shut down by the Bavarian government. But the idea of a secret society working behind the scenes to reshape society was too juicy to disappear completely. Fast forward to today, and the Illuminati has become…
