Population control, or population thinning, is just the subject of dystopian science-fiction novels and video games.
That is, unless you happen to be reading abovetopsecret.com, an entire website dedicated to spreading the word about conspiracies ranging from crop circles and UFO sightings to evil government plots. This week, a thread was started suggesting that AIDS was a manmade virus designed in the 1960s or 70s for the purpose of population thinning. A radical notion to be sure, even more radical to suggest that it was designed by the United States government. For most, hearing that idea may sound more like the plot to V for Vendetta, and in this particular case, the total lack of any evidence leaves this conspiracy sounding like just fiction probably cooked up by some conspiracy theorist who is chuckling maniacally and adjusting his tinfoil hat as we speak. The readers at abovetopsecret.com, however, are not convinced, and the debate rages on with theories and arguments from skeptics and believers alike. Some believe that the proof is locked away in some secret government file cabinet. Others feel like it’s time to get V for Vendetta off the bookshelf.