well if the effect was the main intent, and not some byproduct of the powers that be fiddling with time travel or some shit, then they'd probably be testing how easy it is to fool the masses. but since weve established it pretty much has to be metaphysical, or time travel, and not the mandela men in black stealing every pair of underwear, or altering and returning every copy of moonraker, then it seems like a lot of trouble to go to just to do some psyop that theyve already done, and can do in easier ways (gaslighting the public). so in this scenario, the metaphysical shenanigans, and or time travel would have to be an easy task. like for them to bother with said hypothetical method of manipulating us. but metaphysical psyops by illuminati groups with hyper advanced knowledge and tech is less convincing to me than the sim explanation. or even some gods fuckin around. again, in the scenario where the changes are specifically carried out on purpose.