A closer look
Conspiracy theorists believe Freemasons are dark warlocks who secretly control the global economy using sacred geometry. In reality, modern Freemasonry emerged in the 1700s when middle-class men wanted an exclusive gentlemen's club. They co-opted the mystical symbolism of medieval stonemason guilds to make their drinking sessions feel incredibly important and ancient. The grand, esoteric secrets mostly just consisted of learning elaborate handshakes so they could safely identify who to do business with.
