Conspiracy Placement: Difference between revisions

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{{quote|''"[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iebtccYzhzw Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated!]"''|''[[Phineas and Ferb]]'' }}
{{quote|''"[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iebtccYzhzw Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated!]"''|''[[Phineas and Ferb]]'' }}


Through secrecy and infiltration, the [[Ancient Conspiracy]] has grown powerful. They control [[Government Conspiracy|the government]], [[Corrupt Corporate Executive|big business]] and [[Path of Inspiration|religion]], they routinely pull off [[Gambit Roulette|complicated plans]] and [[No Delays for The Wicked|never make a mistake]]. Still their purposes are best served by remaining hidden from public knowledge, always working from the shadows. Now, they begin their latest diabolical scheme - to display their official logo on every street corner... wait, what!?
Through secrecy and infiltration, the [[Ancient Conspiracy]] has grown powerful. They control [[Government Conspiracy|the government]], [[Corrupt Corporate Executive|big business]] and [[Path of Inspiration|religion]], they routinely pull off [[Gambit Roulette|complicated plans]] and [[No Delays for the Wicked|never make a mistake]]. Still their purposes are best served by remaining hidden from public knowledge, always working from the shadows. Now, they begin their latest diabolical scheme - to display their official logo on every street corner... wait, what!?


[[Conspiracy Placement]] is the tendency of fictional conspiracies to display hidden clues to their identity where they can be found by the heroes, like [[Product Placement]] only coming from an organization that by definition should be trying to ''avoid'' exposure. These clues are generally hidden well enough that they will not be spotted by the general public, but you have to wonder what the point is of having such clues at all. Sometimes the story will try to justify the existence of these clues, for example by saying that finding them is a test to gain membership of the group, or a way for conspirators to identify each other, but more often it just seems to be showing off.
[[Conspiracy Placement]] is the tendency of fictional conspiracies to display hidden clues to their identity where they can be found by the heroes, like [[Product Placement]] only coming from an organization that by definition should be trying to ''avoid'' exposure. These clues are generally hidden well enough that they will not be spotted by the general public, but you have to wonder what the point is of having such clues at all. Sometimes the story will try to justify the existence of these clues, for example by saying that finding them is a test to gain membership of the group, or a way for conspirators to identify each other, but more often it just seems to be showing off.
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== [[Comic Books]] ==
== [[Comic Books]] ==
* ''[[The Invisibles]]'' has a secondary character go on about occult imagery in ''[[Speed (Film)|Speed]]'' and ''[[Pulp Fiction]]'', taking it as a symbol that there are others out there who are on their side. The others don't take it so seriously.
* ''[[The Invisibles]]'' has a secondary character go on about occult imagery in ''[[Speed]]'' and ''[[Pulp Fiction]]'', taking it as a symbol that there are others out there who are on their side. The others don't take it so seriously.
** On the other hand, Tom O'Bedlam, an urban shaman and Dane's magical mentor, believes [[Genius Loci|cities are sentient]] and communicate with inhabitants through secret messages. "You ever see the word 'IXAT' reflected in a puddle late at night? That's one of ''their'' names..."
** On the other hand, Tom O'Bedlam, an urban shaman and Dane's magical mentor, believes [[Genius Loci|cities are sentient]] and communicate with inhabitants through secret messages. "You ever see the word 'IXAT' reflected in a puddle late at night? That's one of ''their'' names..."


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== [[Live Action TV]] ==
== [[Live Action TV]] ==
* Possibly the RNA symbol from ''[[Heroes (TV)|Heroes]]'', although to date it has not been explained who is causing that to appear or why.
* Possibly the RNA symbol from ''[[Heroes (TV series)|Heroes]]'', although to date it has not been explained who is causing that to appear or why.
** [[Word of God]] says that, although it was planned to have this sort of significance, they never got around to plotting it, and it exists now only as a [[Running Gag]].
** [[Word of God]] says that, although it was planned to have this sort of significance, they never got around to plotting it, and it exists now only as a [[Running Gag]].
* In the first season of the new ''[[Doctor Who (TV)|Doctor Who]]'', the words "Bad Wolf" {{spoiler|seemed like this initially until they turned out to be sent back in time by the Time Vortex possessed Rose to guide herself}}.
* In the first season of the new ''[[Doctor Who]]'', the words "Bad Wolf" {{spoiler|seemed like this initially until they turned out to be sent back in time by the Time Vortex possessed Rose to guide herself}}.
* ''[[Torchwood (TV)|Torchwood]]'' are the epitome of this trope as the most conspicuous secret organization of all time. A now ex-Prime Minister in the [[Whoniverse]]'s version of Great Britain knows about them, even though she's not supposed to, one of their staff orders pizza under the name "Torchwood" and the Cardiff division as a whole use an SUV with the word Torchwood written on the side, on the roof with bright neon yellow lettering and the initials TW on the front in red neon. Furthermore, at least one conspiracy theorist knows enough about Torchwood to recognize both their car and their staff on sight. As of ''Torchwood'' series 2, even a regular pensioner knows who they are. The fact that a ''Doctor Who'' episode set in the year 2012 reveals in passing that Torchwood is now a public institution due to its name being used in news broadcasts might constitute [[Hilarious in Hindsight]] as it speaks volumes of the organization's inability to keep a secret.
* ''[[Torchwood]]'' are the epitome of this trope as the most conspicuous secret organization of all time. A now ex-Prime Minister in the [[Whoniverse]]'s version of Great Britain knows about them, even though she's not supposed to, one of their staff orders pizza under the name "Torchwood" and the Cardiff division as a whole use an SUV with the word Torchwood written on the side, on the roof with bright neon yellow lettering and the initials TW on the front in red neon. Furthermore, at least one conspiracy theorist knows enough about Torchwood to recognize both their car and their staff on sight. As of ''Torchwood'' series 2, even a regular pensioner knows who they are. The fact that a ''Doctor Who'' episode set in the year 2012 reveals in passing that Torchwood is now a public institution due to its name being used in news broadcasts might constitute [[Hilarious in Hindsight]] as it speaks volumes of the organization's inability to keep a secret.
* And just what is the Blue Sun Corporation up to? Thanks to ''[[Firefly (TV)|Firefly]]'' being cancelled, we may never find out.
* And just what is the Blue Sun Corporation up to? Thanks to ''[[Firefly]]'' being cancelled, we may never find out.


== [[Tabletop Games]] ==
== [[Tabletop Games]] ==
* Pops up in many, ''[[The World of Darkness (Tabletop Game)|The World of Darkness]]'' variants:
* Pops up in many, ''[[The World of Darkness]]'' variants:
** ''[[Hunter: The Reckoning (Tabletop Game)|Hunter: The Reckoning]]'' and ''[[Promethean: The Created (Tabletop Game)|Promethean: The Created]]'' both use sigils based roughly on "hobo signs" for subtle communication. For the Prometheans, this makes a bit more sense, as a) their condition requires them to constantly be on the move, and b) they have powers that can make the sigils glow for other Prometheans.
** ''[[Hunter: The Reckoning]]'' and ''[[Promethean: The Created]]'' both use sigils based roughly on "hobo signs" for subtle communication. For the Prometheans, this makes a bit more sense, as a) their condition requires them to constantly be on the move, and b) they have powers that can make the sigils glow for other Prometheans.
** ''[[Geist: The Sin Eaters (Tabletop Game)|Geist: The Sin Eaters]]'' has the Twilight Network, a constructed method of communication between Sin-Eaters that relies on web pages, stray radio transmissions, street flyers, and whatever means are available.
** ''[[Geist: The Sin Eaters]]'' has the Twilight Network, a constructed method of communication between Sin-Eaters that relies on web pages, stray radio transmissions, street flyers, and whatever means are available.


== Toys ==
== Toys ==
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** Played with in some instances. ''[[War for Cybertron]]'' Megatron has the gears and panels on his back form the Decepticon logo. It's not immediately obvious. Optimus has his faction on his back too, though his is even less obvious. Also, Vector Prime's head is shaped like the Autobot insignia.
** Played with in some instances. ''[[War for Cybertron]]'' Megatron has the gears and panels on his back form the Decepticon logo. It's not immediately obvious. Optimus has his faction on his back too, though his is even less obvious. Also, Vector Prime's head is shaped like the Autobot insignia.


== [[TV Tropes Wiki]] ==
== [[TV Tropes (Wiki)]] ==
* ''[[Conspiracy Theory]]'', unsurprisingly.
* ''[[Conspiracy Theory]]'', unsurprisingly.


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* ''Area 51'' plays with this one. A hidden document explains that the conspiracy hides these symbols everywhere precisely ''because'' anyone who thinks about it for a second will realise how stupid that is and dismiss the conspiracy theorists as raving crackpots.
* ''Area 51'' plays with this one. A hidden document explains that the conspiracy hides these symbols everywhere precisely ''because'' anyone who thinks about it for a second will realise how stupid that is and dismiss the conspiracy theorists as raving crackpots.
* ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]'': The Patriots use Conspiracy Placement as a type of security measure. Those under them(which includes most of the world's population by MGS4) are implanted with nanomachines that censor any mention of the Patriots' name into "La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo".
* ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]'': The Patriots use Conspiracy Placement as a type of security measure. Those under them(which includes most of the world's population by MGS4) are implanted with nanomachines that censor any mention of the Patriots' name into "La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo".
* In ''[[Anachronox (Video Game)|Anachronox]]'' the Dark Servants wore their symbol and put it on all of their ships and such. Even {{spoiler|[[The Mole]], Grumpos}} has the symbol on him, although it is obscured until the final cut scene.
* In ''[[Anachronox]]'' the Dark Servants wore their symbol and put it on all of their ships and such. Even {{spoiler|[[The Mole]], Grumpos}} has the symbol on him, although it is obscured until the final cut scene.
* In ''[[The Conduit]]'', finding the seals of [[Ancient Conspiracy|The Trust]] leads the player to secret caches with [[One-Hit Kill]] weapons and arms. Justified in that the seals are [[Invisible to Normals]] and can only be seen by the player's [[Swiss Army Weapon|ASE]].
* In ''[[The Conduit]]'', finding the seals of [[Ancient Conspiracy|The Trust]] leads the player to secret caches with [[One-Hit Kill]] weapons and arms. Justified in that the seals are [[Invisible to Normals]] and can only be seen by the player's [[Swiss Army Weapon|ASE]].
* The lambda signs in ''[[Half Life]] 2'' and the Episodes, used by the Resistance to identify where they have stashed supplies. The Orange Box version added a [[Bragging Rights Reward]] for finding them all.
* The lambda signs in ''[[Half Life]] 2'' and the Episodes, used by the Resistance to identify where they have stashed supplies. The Orange Box version added a [[Bragging Rights Reward]] for finding them all.
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== [[Western Animation]] ==
== [[Western Animation]] ==
* ''[[American Dad (Animation)|American Dad]]'' had symbols all over the place for the Peanut Butter Conspiracy episode.
* ''[[American Dad]]'' had symbols all over the place for the Peanut Butter Conspiracy episode.
* ''[[Phineas and Ferb]]'': Dr. Doofenshmirtz's evil operation for some reason has its own jingle, sponsored a blimp in a racing event, has its own building with its name printed right on it in the downtown area, and several other buildings all branded with his company name or something like that, like "Doofenshmirtz Abandoned Annex Building-K", which sometimes even have their ''own'' jingles.
* ''[[Phineas and Ferb]]'': Dr. Doofenshmirtz's evil operation for some reason has its own jingle, sponsored a blimp in a racing event, has its own building with its name printed right on it in the downtown area, and several other buildings all branded with his company name or something like that, like "Doofenshmirtz Abandoned Annex Building-K", which sometimes even have their ''own'' jingles.
** Of course, the good guys are just as bad at this. Take Perry; yes, secrecy is vitally important, and he goes to great lengths to hide his agent status from his family. But then, as {{spoiler|Phineas}} says "he has his own logo?!?"
** Of course, the good guys are just as bad at this. Take Perry; yes, secrecy is vitally important, and he goes to great lengths to hide his agent status from his family. But then, as {{spoiler|Phineas}} says "he has his own logo?!?"
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