HIDDEN HANDS

ET CETERA

THE 60 MIHUTES/VAHITY FAIR POLL

On the one hand, "there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than arc dreamt of in your philosophy" (Shakespeare, chca 1600). On the other, "the simplest explanation is best" (the American public, 2015). Or so we claim to believe, even when strange things happen.

And yet. Around a quarter of Americans subscribe to some sort of conspiracy theory surrounding the death of Princess Diana, the death of Jesus, and the attacks on 9/11. (Sadly, no data is available on how many of us suspect curious links among the three.) Even more of us—7 in 10, in fact—are skeptical of the conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald was alone responsible for the assassination of John F. Kennedy. (The C.I.A. and the Mafia are prime alternative suspects, though Lyndon Johnson talked 5 percent.)

Even so, an overwhelming number of Americans don't even remember the "Paul is dead" rumors, never mind ever having believed them. (Paul is alive, F.Y.I., though we think he dyes his hair An even more overwhelming number of us believe the moon landing did happen, as opposed to having simply been staged on a Hollywood set (like there's anything uncomplicated about making a movie).

@ vf.com See the complete POLL RESULTS. Go to VF.COM/ JUNE 2015.

Do you usually believe the simplest explanation, or the most mysterious explanation?

69% TETANIC | JESU5

THE SIMPLEST EXPLANATION

24%

JESUS'S DEATH

Which of the following is most likely to have a different explanation than the one that is accepted? ,

2%

THE MOST MYSTERIOUS EXPLANATION

26%

PR NO SS DIANA'S DEATH

24%

7%

P AR HARBOR

Who do you think was most likely behind the assassination of President John F. Kennedy?

LEE HARVEY OSWALD/30%

SOMEONE ELSE/18%

THE C.I.A./15%

THE MAFIA/13%

LYNDON JOHNSON/5%

THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT/3%

THE SOVIET UNION / 3%

ORDER OFTHEPHOENIX/8% °

NONEOFTHEM/29%

FREEMASONS 23%

To which

real or fictional secret society would you most like to belong?

STED

THE C.I.A. TESTED

LSD ON AMERICANS/29%

THE N.I.H. CONTAMINATED POLIO VACCINES/ 10%

THE GOV'T POISONED ALCOHOL L "I DURING PROHIBITION / 5%

Which one of the above conspiracy theories is most likely to be true?

RICHARD NIXON/23%

JIMMY CARTER/16%

GEORGE W. BUSH/10%

BILL CLINTON/9%

Which U.S. ' president reportedly said, "I'd like to tell the public about the alien situation, but my hands are tied"?

How often do you think advertisements contain hidden messages?

SOMETIMES

19%

FREQUENTLY

RARELY/NEVER

15%

50%

Do you think the moon landing in 1969

really happened?

83%

Which one of the following would you be most afraid to do?

Do you think Paul is dead, do you think Paul is alive, or don't you know who ⅛. Paul is?

PAUL IS DEAD/8%

PAUL IS ALIVE/13%

WHO'S PAUL?/79%

This poll was conducted on behalf of CBS News by Social Science Research Solutions of Media, Pennsylvania, among a random sample of 1,018 adults nationwide, interviewed by telephone March 6-10, 2015. Some low-percentage answer choices have been omitted.