Topic: Boston Strong

The frequency of "perfect" sports stories following national tragedies, such as the Red Sox winning after the Boston Marathon bombing, raises skepticism about coincidences in a billion-dollar industry. A proven historical conspiracy is cited: the 1980s MLB owner collusion, where owners secretly agreed not to bid on free agents to drive down player salaries. This case resulted in a $300 million payout to the Players Association and serves as evidence that league owners will prioritize financial gain over the integrity of the game.

Victor Thorne discusses the use of emotional triggers like the "Boston Strong" slogan and Neil Diamond's performance at Fenway Stadium to foster nationalism. He asserts that these symbols are pre-planned tools used to manipulate the public's patriotic sentiments following manufactured tragedies.