Good thread.
I was a freshman college student at the time of 9/11.
I was and still am an artist. Mostly photography, video, and a little bit of acting.
Strangely enough, my biggest acting gig was when I was an extra in the movie Pearl Harbor.
While in college, my sociology professor had me do a report on 9/11.
At that time, I didn't conclude false flag operation. But I did conclude that it would likely lead to more restrictions of our freedoms, and possible lock down, as a result, America would self destruct from the inside out. I may not have known the culprits, but I was aware of the end result. I got an A.
I was somewhat suspicious of government at an early age.
Movies and music had the biggest influence, mostly music though.
While growing up I was very influenced by hip hop artists like Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, B.I.G. and many others.
Wu-Tang Clan, a New York based hip hop group would often talk about the global power structure, government corruption, and sometimes drifted into New World Order stuff. Stuff that at that time, the average pre-teen wasn't usually exposed to, and receptive of. But I was.
As the years went by, I went on with my life like most kids, but the warnings were all there, getting stronger as I got older.
Quick run down of some of the hip hop artists just before 2001 that provided warnings.
Busta Rhymes
Extinction Level Event (The Final World Front)
December 15, 1998
Picture of New York getting wiped out. The opening track, titled: one year left, was a bit scary.
Download it here [mp3 - right click save as]
Same year, 1998, Method Man of Wu-Tang Clan releases a track titled: Judgement Day.
Mos Def, 1999 and his song: "New World Water".
There were other artists at the time who were releasing warnings, but those are the few that immediately come to mind.
Hip Hop wasn't the only music that influenced my perspective.
Pink Floyd, and Tool also had an impact as well.