INDEX	April 17, 2025
Hat trick
One of the popular conspiracy theory emblems was the silver foil hat, or tin hat. The idea was that it was completely barmy to believe that directed radio waves could ever be used as a weapon. In reality this technology has a long pedigree. It was invented by a Russian in the Second World War and MI5, in the shape of Spycatcher’s Peter Wright, was the first to reveal how it worked. Was this the last time MI5 did anything useful? Subsequently the term ‘Havana Syndrome’ was used to describe the ill effects it caused people exposed to it. The last American president even agreed a fund to compensate diplomats and spooks exposed to it shortly before he lost his marbles. I do hope that anyone within range of this terrible looking weapon is issued with a tin foil hat before it is used.
INDEX Jonathan Brind	April 17, 2025