9 Reasons People Believe In Conspiracy Theories

1. Contradictory Conspiracies

Interestingly, it doesn't appear to be the content of a conspiracy that matters all that much, but rather just the fact that it is one.

Research shows that it is possible for conspiracy theorists to hold two completely contradictory viewpoints at the same time, just so long as they're not the "official" story. For example, in the study, the participants who believed that Princess Diana was murdered by the British establishment, were also more likely to believe that she faked her own death. Now, either we have a Schrödinger's People's Princess on our hands who is both dead and alive, or, or, being a conspiracy theorist is more about a lifestyle than cold, hard facts.

Similarly, respondents who believe that Osama Bin Laden was already dead when the U.S. special forces moved in, are also more likely to accept the idea that he's actually still alive.

The point is that conspiracies are not about a single issue for which an individual has amassed a wealth of evidence, but a general acceptance of the idea that you are probably being lied to and that anything other than the party line is preferable.

But, hey, don't take my word for it. Stay woke.

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