Supposed Skeptics?

[Jenny A]

The biggest thing that strikes me about conspriacy theorists is the arrogance of it that they don't seem to see. "Everyone else is blind and sheepishly accepting the fake story, but I know the truth, and hardly anyone believes me because they're too weak to see the truth that I know!"

Sounds a little like: "god is self evident;" or "you're not really an atheist because you know in your heart god exists," don't it?

[FatAndFaithless]

The biggest thing that strikes me about conspriacy theorists is the arrogance of it that they don't seem to see. "Everyone else is blind and sheepishly accepting the fake story, but I know the truth, and hardly anyone believes me because they're too weak to see the truth that I know!"

Sounds a little like: "god is self evident;" or "you're not really an atheist because you know in your heart god exists," don't it?

We never landed on the moon! Wake up sheeple, you know it's true!

[Angrboda]

The failure of skepticism is a failure of critical thinking. Most people aren't very good at critical thinking, but the ego will not rest. Thus, believing rubbish becomes something "other people do."

[Whateverist]

Too often I see critical thinking applied to justify conclusions already reached. I don't see any problem with holding beliefs for which evidence isn't available just so long as you recognize such beliefs as hunches or hypothertical possibilities. Before Jacob flipped I'd have pointed to him as an example of someone who compartmentalized quite effectively, allowing him to think about and apply science independently from his religious beliefs.

The conspiracy theorists and crackpot philosophers who think their atheism lends credence to their oddball beliefs are definitely annoying.

[Cato]

Too often I see critical thinking applied to justify conclusions already reached.

This is similar to Shermer's conclusion that otherwise intelligent people are excellent at rationalizing beliefs. We've all probably wondered from time to time, "How can someone so smart be so stupid?". I've had the opportunity to say this to the man in the mirror on several occasions as my consideration of certain topics has deepened.

The concern I have for we humans is when I combine the notion of rationalization with Kahneman's idea of the fast and slow mind and Haidt's elephant and rider analogy. Unpacking a rationalized belief and drawing a new conclusion based on new information and ideas can sometimes require great effort and perhaps impossible if there is a great deal invested in the belief.

[FatAndFaithless]

Too often I see critical thinking applied to justify conclusions already reached.

This is similar to Shermer's conclusion that otherwise intelligent people are excellent at rationalizing beliefs. We've all probably wondered from time to time, "How can someone so smart be so stupid?". I've had the opportunity to say this to the man in the mirror on several occasions as my consideration of certain topics has deepened.

The concern I have for we humans is when I combine the notion of rationalization with Kahneman's idea of the fast and slow mind and Haidt's elephant and rider analogy. Unpacking a rationalized belief and drawing a new conclusion based on new information and ideas can sometimes require great effort and perhaps impossible if there is a great deal invested in the belief.

Another big part is that especially in middle-aged and older people, I suspect it's extremely hard to admit to yourself that you've wasted a huge portion of your life investing emotionally (and most times financially) in something that is, if not a lie, a grave mistake.
(EDIT: Realized I pretty much repeated you, but meh, I'll leave it)

[Faith No More]

Thus, believing rubbish becomes something "other people do."

I think this is the main issue. "Skeptic" becomes a label people use to reinforce the beliefs they already hold. They tell themselves they're skeptical in order to convince themselves that they've properly examined their beliefs.

It's really just another example of the hoops the brain will jump through to keep its model of reality from coming crashing down.