Leslie Massey
There is a conspiracy theory that Australia, a country of 25 million people, is not real. The theory, which first appeared on social media in 2017, suggests that Britain invented the convict colony of Australia as a cover for executing tens of thousands of prisoners. According to the theory, all proof of Australia's existence is fabricated, and anyone claiming to be Australian is an actor or a computer-generated persona. This theory is similar to other internet conspiracies that claim Finland, the Italian region of Molise, and the Brazilian state of Acre are also hoaxes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| People who don't believe in Australia's existence | Conspiracy theorists, Swedish Facebook user Shelley Floryd, and other social media users |
| Theories | Britain invented Australia as an excuse to execute prisoners, Australia is an "imaginary land" enforced by "really secret government agents" |
| Tone of theories | Joke, amusement, outrage |
| Impact | 25 million Australians were told their country is "make-believe" |
| Similar theories | Finland, Molise in Italy, Acre in Brazil are also fake |
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What You'll Learn
A hoax by Britain to justify executions of prisoners
In recent years, a conspiracy theory has emerged that Australia, the giant Oceanic country, does not exist. This theory was popularised in 2017 by a Swedish Facebook user named Shelley Floryd, who claimed that Australia is "one of the biggest hoaxes ever created". According to this theory, the hoax was originally perpetrated by Britain as a justification for the mass execution of prisoners.
The theory holds that Britain invented the story of a convict colony in Australia as a pretext for executing tens of thousands of prisoners—as many as 162,000—under the pretense of transporting them to this distant territory. Floryd suggests that everyone is complicit in this hoax, from airline pilots to the Australian people themselves, who are alleged to be actors or computer-generated personas.
This conspiracy theory gained significant traction online, particularly on social media platforms like Facebook and Reddit. It tapped into a broader trend of questioning and skepticism toward government and mainstream media narratives. The theory also drew comparisons to the film "The Truman Show," with its premise of an orchestrated, artificial world.
While the theory may seem far-fetched, it reflects a broader trend of geographic conspiracy theories that have emerged in recent years. These theories question the existence of various places, including Finland, the Italian region of Molise, and the Brazilian state of Acre. Proponents of these theories often point to seemingly absurd characteristics of these places, such as the deadly wildlife in Australia, as evidence of their fictitious nature.
The Australia hoax theory, in particular, highlights the power of narrative and collective belief in shaping our understanding of the world. It invites us to consider the intricate webs of deception that could be woven by those in power and the potential for large-scale collusion. While it may not be convincing to most, this theory serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and the ongoing search for truth in a complex and sometimes misleading information landscape.
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Airline pilots and actors are in on the prank
The conspiracy theory that Australia doesn't exist has been doing the rounds on the internet for some time. It was first proposed in 2006 by the Flat Earth Society, which exposed Australia as an "imaginary land". The theory gained new traction in 2017 when a Swedish Facebook user named Shelley Floryd (or possibly Reddit user Raregan) posted about it on social media. According to the theory, Britain invented the convict colony of Australia as a cover for executing prisoners.
Floryd's post attracted more than 20,000 shares and ignited a debate about the supposed non-existence of Australia. Those who believe in the conspiracy theory argue that everyone is in on the prank, including airline pilots and actors. The pilots, they claim, are secretly flying tourists to decoy islands or even parts of South America, while actors are posing as Australian citizens.
The theory suggests that all proof of Australia's existence is fabricated by leading world governments. This includes Australian friends and acquaintances, who are alleged to be actors or computer-generated personas. Proponents of the theory assert that anyone who believes they have been to Australia is mistaken and that the country is a hoax perpetrated by governments and those in the travel industry.
While the theory may seem far-fetched, it is not the only one of its kind. Similar claims have been made about Finland, the Italian region of Molise, and the Brazilian state of Acre. These theories suggest that these places are either fictional or occupied by dinosaurs. Despite the humorous nature of these theories, they highlight the critical thinking and scepticism that some individuals apply to information disseminated by governments and the mainstream media.
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Kangaroos and deadly spiders can't be real
Australia, the giant Oceanic country surrounded by the Pacific and Indian Oceans, is thought to be a hoax by some. The conspiracy theory that Australia doesn't exist gained popularity in 2018, but it was first floated in 2006 by the Flat Earth Society, which described it as an "imaginary land". The theory was revived by a Swedish Facebook user named Shelley Floryd, who claimed that Australia is "one of the biggest hoaxes ever created".
One of the arguments used to support this theory is the existence of kangaroos and deadly spiders, which seem too fantastical to be real. Kangaroos, the iconic symbol of Australia, are indeed real. There are over 60 different species of kangaroos, each adapted to its unique environment. From the widely recognised red kangaroo to the smaller tree-dwelling species like the tree kangaroo, these marsupials showcase the adaptability and resilience of Australia's wildlife.
As for deadly spiders, Australia is home to the Kangaroo Island assassin spider, a species that has survived for 150 million years. This spider is one of 11 invertebrates on the federal government's priority list of threatened species. The assassin family of spiders, which get their name from their habit of slowly stalking and then eating other spiders, are found only in Australia, Madagascar, and parts of southern Africa. While the existence of kangaroos and deadly spiders may seem like a stretch, they are indeed a part of Australia's diverse and unique wildlife.
Australia's geographical marvels and unique wildlife have contributed to its reputation as a continent and country of awe-inspiring landscapes and infamous creatures. From pink-coloured lakes to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia offers natural wonders that can make it feel like its own world. Despite the jokes and conspiracy theories, Australia is very much real, and its existence has been confirmed by diplomatic sources.
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It's a meme that's gone viral
In recent years, a conspiracy theory that Australia doesn't exist has gone viral on social media, particularly on Facebook and Reddit. This theory, which first emerged in 2017, is often attributed to a Swedish Facebook user named Shelley Floryd, who described Australia as "one of the biggest hoaxes ever created". According to Floryd, the country is an "imaginary land" enforced by "really secret government agents".
The theory has sparked both amusement and outrage among the 25 million people who call Australia home. It has also breathed new life into an old meme that first circulated during the heyday of Napster and MySpace. This meme, which falls into the "'wacky' category of conspiracy theories, suggests that Australia is a hoax perpetuated by Britain as an excuse to execute tens of thousands of prisoners under the guise of transporting them to a faraway colony.
In addition to Australia, other places that have been targeted by similar conspiracy theories include Finland, the Italian region of Molise, and the Brazilian state of Acre. These theories often involve elaborate explanations for the nonexistence of these places, such as the idea that pilots flying to Australia actually divert their planes to nearby islands or parts of South America.
While the Australia conspiracy theory may seem far-fetched, it serves as a reminder that in an era of fake news and mainstream media conspiracies, it's important to question and think critically about the information we're presented with.
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Other countries are fake, too
It's not just Australia that conspiracy theorists have claimed is a hoax. In recent years, internet users have also claimed that Finland, the Italian region of Molise, and the Brazilian state of Acre are all fake.
The theory regarding Finland was first posted on Reddit in 2015. User Raregan explained that the country was invented to create fishing quotas to aid the export of sushi to Japan from Russia. Another theory claims that Acre is either occupied by dinosaurs or doesn't exist at all.
The conspiracy theory about Australia not existing was first posted on Facebook or Reddit by Swedish national Shelley Floryd in 2017. Floryd claims that Australia is a hoax perpetrated by "really secret government agents". She writes, "All things you call 'proof' are actually well-fabricated lies and documents made by the leading governments of the world. Your Australian friends? They’re all actors and computer-generated personas, part of the plot to trick the world."
While this theory may seem outlandish, it is not the only one of its kind. Internet users have also claimed that other countries and regions are fake, showing that the theory that Australia doesn't exist is part of a broader trend of geographical conspiracy theories.
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Frequently asked questions
The conspiracy theory that Australia doesn't exist was popularised by a Swedish Facebook user named Shelley Floryd, who called it "one of the biggest hoaxes ever created".
The theory suggests that Australia is an "imaginary land" enforced by "really secret government agents".
Some have pointed to the country's unique and dangerous wildlife, such as poisonous snakes and spiders, as well as the existence of kangaroos, as signs that Australia can't be real.
According to the theory, Britain invented the convict colony of Australia as an excuse to execute prisoners under the guise of transporting them to this faraway territory.
Australians find the theory amusing and bemusing, with some questioning whether their Australian friends are actually actors and computer-generated personas.
