Selects: The Disappearance of Flight MH370, Part II
In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, the hosts explore the investigation into the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. They examine the Malaysian government's handling of the case, including delays in sharing information and directing searches to the correct location in the South Indian Ocean, as well as criticisms of both preliminary and final investigation reports.
The hosts discuss key findings from recovered debris, which suggests the plane broke apart during high-speed ocean impact rather than making a controlled descent. They also address various theories about the disappearance, including the possibility that Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah intentionally crashed the aircraft—supported by evidence from his home flight simulator—and examine how public distrust in official accounts has led to numerous alternative theories about the plane's fate.
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1-Page Summary
Malaysian Government's Bungled Investigation and Lack of Transparency
The Malaysian government's handling of the MH370 investigation was marred by significant issues. As the owner of Malaysian Airlines, the government feared embarrassment from potential incompetence or investigative failures. Their preliminary report was criticized for being superficial, while the final report only superficially addressed air traffic control failures. Adding to the problems, Malaysian authorities were slow to share information and delayed directing searches to the correct location in the South Indian Ocean.
Discovery of Plane Debris and Crash Theories
The first breakthrough came in 2015 when debris was discovered on Reunion Island, with investigator Blaine Gibson later finding additional pieces along Africa's southwest coast. The condition of the recovered debris suggested the plane broke apart upon high-speed impact with the ocean rather than making a controlled descent. Notably, all four electronic life beacons failed to activate, possibly due to the aircraft's rapid descent at 600 miles per hour from 35,000 feet.
Captain's Intentional Plane Crash Theory
Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant discuss the compelling theory that Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah intentionally crashed the aircraft. They note that Shah had practiced a similar flight path on his home simulator, ending in the Indian Ocean. The hosts point to Shah's personal circumstances, including his separation from his wife, as potential motivation. The theory is supported by the absence of distress signals and the plane's apparent efforts to evade detection.
The Conspiracy Theories Surrounding the Disappearance of MH370
In the absence of conclusive answers, numerous conspiracy theories have emerged. According to TheWeek.co.uk, these range from hijacking scenarios to more outlandish theories involving alien abduction. Chuck Bryant and Clark explain that these theories, while largely unfounded, persist due to public distrust in official accounts. The theories gained additional traction following events like the murder of Zahid Raza, a Malaysian consulate member in Madagascar who was searching for plane debris.
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Counterarguments
- The Malaysian government may have faced unprecedented challenges in the investigation, which could explain delays and perceived lack of transparency.
- Criticisms of the preliminary and final reports may not fully consider the complexity and scope of aviation disaster investigations, which can take years to complete.
- The delay in directing searches could be attributed to the vast search area and the limited information available in the immediate aftermath of the disappearance.
- The discovery of debris does not conclusively indicate the manner of the plane's impact with the ocean, as oceanic drift and damage from impact can be difficult to analyze accurately.
- The failure of the electronic life beacons to activate could have alternative explanations, such as equipment malfunction unrelated to the descent speed.
- The theory that Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah intentionally crashed the aircraft is one of many, and without conclusive evidence, it remains speculative.
- Personal circumstances such as Shah's reported separation from his wife should be approached with caution, as they can unfairly stigmatize individuals without direct relevance to the incident.
- The absence of distress signals and efforts to evade detection could also be consistent with other scenarios, such as a sudden catastrophic event or system failure.
- Conspiracy theories, while often unfounded, can sometimes stem from genuine concerns or unanswered questions, and should not all be dismissed without consideration.
- The murder of Zahid Raza could be unrelated to the MH370 case, and suggesting a connection without evidence could be misleading.
Actionables
- You can enhance your critical thinking skills by analyzing complex situations like the MH370 case in a journal. Start by writing down the known facts, then list out possible explanations and their implications. This practice helps you understand how to assess information critically and recognize the importance of transparency and timely communication.
- Improve your personal safety measures by creating an emergency plan based on the MH370 incident. This could involve setting up a life beacon or a location tracker that your loved ones can access, ensuring that in case of an emergency, your whereabouts can be quickly determined.
- Develop a better understanding of global events by researching and debunking conspiracy theories. Choose a conspiracy theory related to a major event, gather evidence, and use logical reasoning to assess its validity. This exercise will help you cultivate a healthy skepticism and the ability to distinguish between credible information and unfounded claims.
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Malaysian Government's Bungled Investigation and Lack of Transparency
The Malaysian government’s control over the investigation of the disappearance of flight MH370 led to obfuscation, mishandling, and criticism. The subsequent lack of transparency after the plane's mysterious vanishing remains under scrutiny.
Government Control Over Investigation Led to Obfuscation and Mishandling
The Malaysian government, which controlled Malaysian Airlines, feared the embarrassment of incompetence or a failed investigation being exposed. The podcast reveals that Malaysia was under a dictatorship when MH370 disappeared, and there were serious concerns that government critics or underperformers could simply vanish.
The Malaysian Government, Owning Prideful Malaysian Airlines, Feared Embarrassment From a Failed Investigation or Incompetence Being Exposed
Malaysian Airlines, largely state-owned and a national point of pride, found itself at the center of a crisis following the MH370 disaster and the MH17 incident, both occurring in 2014. To mitigate bad press, the Malaysian government moved to fully nationalize the airline by buying back all outstanding shares and delisting it from the stock exchange.
The desire to avoid negative publicity was driven by a fear of embarrassment that would follow from any incompetence or failure in the investigation being publicly disclosed.
Malaysian Police and Government Reports Criticized For Deflecting Blame and Inadequately Investigating Incident
Malaysia's output regarding the investigation into MH370 was underwhelming. They issued a preliminary report, which was criticized for being superficial and resemblant of the Boeing 777’s manual rather than an investigative document. The final report did point out failures by air traffic control, but it did not delve much deeper or provide clear answers.
The air traffic control was a politically safe target for the blame, as it carried no expectations of a backlash. Moreover, the Malaysian Air Force faced censure for not acting during a vital window of an hour where they tracked the unidentified aircraft but failed to make any efforts to intercept or clarify the situation, resulting in searches in the incorrect area.
Investigation Delayed Due to Malaysian Authorities' Slow Info Sharing and Coordination
Compounding these issues, Malaysia was slow to direct searches to the ...
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Malaysian Government's Bungled Investigation and Lack of Transparency
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Actionables
- You can foster transparency by starting a blog or social media page dedicated to discussing and analyzing public information on current events. By doing this, you encourage open dialogue and critical thinking among your audience. For instance, if there's a local issue or a global event that's shrouded in mystery, use your platform to compile facts, share different viewpoints, and engage with your followers to dissect the information available.
- Develop a habit of writing to your representatives to demand accountability and transparency in government actions. This practice not only exercises your rights as a citizen but also contributes to a culture of responsibility. For example, if you learn about a situation where there's a lack of clarity or potential mismanagement, draft a letter or email to your elected officials asking for clarification or an investigation.
- Create a community watch group that focuses on monitoring and reporti ...
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Discovery of Plane Debris and Crash Theories
The discovery of the aircraft debris has been significant in piecing together MH370's tragic fate, leading to various theories regarding the nature of its crash.
Plane Debris Discovered, Revealing Aircraft's Fate
Blaine Gibson, influenced by the disappearance of MH370, dedicated himself to uncovering wreckage from the aircraft. He personally discovered a considerable amount of the debris.
Debris Found On Reunion Island In 2015 Confirms Indian Ocean Crash
The first piece of MH370's debris, a six-foot piece of an airplane, was found on Reunion Island in 2015. This breakthrough validated the theory that MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean. More pieces of the plane were later discovered along the southwest coast of Africa, in regions such as South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, confirming the aircraft crashed into the Indian Ocean. The part, identified as a flaperon from the back edge of the wing, was confirmed to belong to MH370 by its serial numbers.
Debris Suggests Plane Broke Apart On Impact, Not Controlled Descent
The condition of the debris indicated that the aircraft likely broke up upon impact, rather than attempting a controlled descent or landing. This suggests that the plane most probably disintegrated into many pieces when it hit the Southern Indian Ocean at a high speed, causing it to break apart either on descent or upon contact with the water. This impact likely caused the bulk of the plane to sink intact, straight to the bottom of the ocean.
Missing Beacon Signals and Black Box Data Spar ...
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Discovery of Plane Debris and Crash Theories
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Actionables
- You can enhance your critical thinking skills by analyzing everyday objects as if they were pieces of a larger puzzle. Pretend you're a detective and take an object in your home. Examine it closely, considering where it came from, its journey to you, and what its condition says about its history. This mimics the process of analyzing debris to understand a larger event, like a plane crash.
- Develop a habit of journaling about unsolved mysteries or current events that intrigue you. Write down different theories and pieces of evidence you come across, then try to connect the dots. This practice can sharpen your analytical abilities and help you understand complex situations, similar to piecing together crash details from scattered information.
- Create a simple ...
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Captain's Intentional Plane Crash Theory
Speculation surrounds the mysterious disappearance of a plane, with theories circling around Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah's possible deliberate action to crash the aircraft.
Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah Likely Crashed Plane Deliberately Into Indian Ocean
Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant discuss the tragic possibility that Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah was responsible for the disappearance of the plane. They suggest that Zaharie, not the terrorists or First Officer Hamid, had the necessary expertise and access to control the aircraft. They posit that a terrorist scenario is not viable, especially given the absence of a distress call and the timing of taking control just as the plane moved into Ho Chi Minh air traffic control space.
Zaharie Practiced a Flight Path Similar to the Plane's Before It Disappeared
A significant clue alluded to by the hosts points to Captain Shah's involvement: he practiced a flight on his home simulator eerily similar to MH370's actual path. His simulations concluded in the Indian Ocean, remarkably, unlike his other simulations that spanned from takeoff to landing. It appears he was interested in seeing where the plane would end after running out of fuel specifically over the Indian Ocean.
Zaharie's Personal Issues, Including Marital Separation, Could Have Provided Motive
The conversation by the hosts pivots to Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah's personal life, noting that Shah had separated from his wife and was living alone. It is suggested that his personal circumstances, which may have included an affair with a married woman, could have provided a motive for his actions.
Intentional Crash Indicated by Lack of Distress Signal, Abrupt Course Change ...
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Captain's Intentional Plane Crash Theory
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Counterarguments
- The theory that Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah deliberately crashed the plane is speculative and not conclusively proven; alternative explanations could exist for the disappearance of the plane.
- Flight simulation practices are not uncommon among pilots, and the fact that Zaharie had a simulation ending in the Indian Ocean on his home simulator does not necessarily indicate premeditation or intent.
- Personal issues such as marital separation are not uncommon and do not automatically lead to extreme actions; many individuals experience similar issues without resorting to such drastic measures.
- The lack of a distress signal could be due to sudden catastrophic events unrelated to deliberate action, such as mechanical failure or decompression, which could also account for the abrupt course change.
- Evasive efforts, if they occurred, could be interpreted in various ways, including as an attempt to deal with an onboard emergency or malfunction ra ...
Actionables
- You can explore the psychological impact of personal issues on professional responsibilities by journaling daily about your own stressors and how they affect your work decisions. This self-reflection can help you identify patterns and triggers that may influence your judgment, similar to how personal issues were speculated to affect the pilot's actions. For example, if you notice you're more likely to make hasty decisions after a stressful event, you can develop strategies to mitigate this, such as taking a walk or practicing mindfulness before making important choices.
- Enhance your understanding of crisis management by enrolling in an online course on emergency response. This will give you insight into how professionals are trained to handle abrupt changes and distress situations, which can be compared to the pilot's alleged evasive efforts. As you learn, apply these principles to smaller crises in your life, like a sudden work deadline, by staying calm and methodically working through the problem.
- Develo ...
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The Conspiracy Theories Surrounding the Disappearance of Mh370
In the absence of a conclusive explanation for the disappearance of MH370, conspiracy theories have emerged to fill the void, reflecting public skepticism and distrust in government accounts.
In Absence of Explanation, Conspiracy Theories Emerge
Theories Include Hijacking, a False Flag Operation, or Alien Abduction
Since the disappearance of MH370 remains unexplained, a range of conspiracy theories has surfaced. TheWeek.co.uk has compiled some of these theories. Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark mention various theories, including those suggestive of hijacking, false flag operations, and even alien abduction. For example, they highlight a theory that points to 20 employees from Freescale Semiconductor who were on MH370 as a potential motive for a catastrophic event related to secret technology or stock manipulation. Other theories include life insurance scams and a concept that, following 9/11, airplanes were designed to be remotely controlled and that MH370 fell victim to such remote hijacking, potentially by the CIA.
Theories Lack Evidence and Reflect Distrust in Government and Official Accounts
These conspiracy theories are largely unfounded and lack concrete evidence but persist due to general distrust among the public. Bryant and Clark discuss the reluctance to trust government and official accounts, a sentiment which fuels the alternative, speculative narratives. The theories range from technical and plausible to outlandish, such as the suggestion that MH370 was abducted by aliens—a notion believed by 5% of Americans surveyed.
Mh370 Conspiracy Theories Reflect Public's Need For Answers
The disappearance of MH370 left an information vacuum that has been partially filled by an independent group of internet sleuths, consisting of engineers and aviation experts, who aim to solve the ...
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The Conspiracy Theories Surrounding the Disappearance of Mh370
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Actionables
- You can enhance critical thinking by practicing how to evaluate sources of information, focusing on understanding biases, evidence quality, and the reputation of the source. Start by reading articles on a variety of topics from different publishers and ask yourself questions about the author's intent, the evidence presented, and whether the information is corroborated by reputable sources. This will help you discern between well-founded theories and baseless ones.
- Develop a habit of journaling your thoughts on current events to better understand your own biases and how they might affect your perception of information. Each time a significant event occurs, write down your initial thoughts, where you got your information from, and how you feel about it. Over time, review your entries to identify patterns in your thinking and consider how your biases might have shaped your understanding of the events.
- Engage in online forums or community grou ...
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