RE: What Makes Conspiracy Theories Popular?
April 10, 2015 at 8:09 am
(This post was last modified: April 10, 2015 at 8:17 am by Alex K.)
(April 10, 2015 at 7:57 am)One Above All Wrote: Ego.
Conspiracy theorists believe they're special; that they know the truth, while everyone else is living a lie. They believe they managed to discern truth from fiction based on evidence that was hidden so that nobody could find it... except them, of course. They believe we're all being fooled by "Them" (every conspiracy theory has to have a bad guy named "Them" or "They" - the ones who don't want the truth to come out for some obviously nefarious purpose), and that "They" own (or are working their way toward owning) the world, and only the ones who know the truth can fight back. "They" have eyes and ears everywhere, but "They" can be defeated if the conspiracy theorists band together, because a handful of conspiracy theorists are more powerful than "Them".
In short, it's a power fantasy that little children have. Like playing video games where you get to be the hero that saves the world - the chosen one - only IRL. Nobody cares either way, though.
Exactly, although I'd be more generous and say that it is simply very disconcerting to some people that the world seems to be chaotic and uncontrollable, and believing that it is, after all, a planned conspiracy, is somehow reassuring. Of course this feeds directly into the ego, because the conspiracy theorist has secret knowledge of the conspiracy which provides personal identity.
That's why I believe that deep down, the conspiracy theorist has no real interest in convincing everyone that the conspiracy is true, for this would negate the source of his or her identity. Being a part of an elite and a martyr is an important part of the appeal.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psalm 14, KJV revised edition
