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1

ImaginaryFly1 t1_j9gsvg9 wrote

Today’s conspiracy theories are tomorrow’s reality.

−39

Ojisan1 t1_j9gtsmv wrote

That explains the people who still believe in Russiagate

−33

added_chaos t1_j9gwtep wrote

Someone requested and paid for that stock image at one time

81

Ixm01ws6 t1_j9h114w wrote

water and air is fine in east palestine, nothing to worry about folks.

15

Mete11uscimber t1_j9hp5de wrote

I'm glad that they took a sample from a country other than the US. We seem to have a high percentage of conspiracy theorists compared to other countries, so that's a good control method. I don't think they broke any new ground on the topic as it's pretty obvious that the belief in conspiracy theories tends to stem from fear, but it is an interesting read nonetheless.

37

Manofalltrade t1_j9htttq wrote

As a person with an almost inhuman level of emotional self awareness and regulation (yay childhood), I actually recognized that this was probably why I was never “baptized in the Holy Spirit” while I was still a Christian. That wasn’t the tipping point for why became atheist, but it did hold the door open.

7

Koffeekage t1_j9hyoke wrote

Conspiracies like what? The gulf of Tonkin? Or weapons of mass destruction in Iraq?

7

ThyShirtIsBlue t1_j9ieoz9 wrote

This is just what they want you to think, but don't worry, JFK junior will be back any day now to set the record straight.

3

zeldestein t1_j9j0qki wrote

Belief in conspiracies would definitely fall under mental illness if not for the fact that many conspiracies are actually true and are continuously proven as such. It is perfectly normal for people to start believing in conspiracies if the level of trust between the institutions and public declines. The two are heavily correlated.

We're all "dysregulated", depressed and anxious because everything around us is dysfunctional and threatening.

−2

Jazzlike-Drop23 t1_j9j7md1 wrote

This makes sense. When I was in the midst of a horrific midlife crisis, I got right into conspiracy theories.

13

WildAppearance t1_j9jdnfy wrote

Replying to Mete11uscimber (#1,910,432)

That isn't exactly what they found, though. They found that emotional dysregulation is correlated with belief in conspiracy theories. They specifically did not propose a cause, instead saying more research is needed.

I'll just repeat what always has to be said when scientists study the "obvious": it's still worth studying rigorously, and tbh I don't know of any other studies that touch on this specific correlation.

I'd also disagree that this study suggests that "fear" is the root cause of why people fall for conspiracy theories. Fear is a universal human emotion, but not everybody is a conspiracy theorist. Rather, inability or lack of learned skill in regulating emotions in general is what predicts susceptibility to conspiracy theories. Based on my own anecdotal experiences I could guess that the inability to regulate emotions like anger and sadness are also important in making someone susceptible to conspiracy thinking.

16

Cult_ureS t1_j9jml1h wrote

Replying to added_chaos (#1,907,010)

Edit: I need to preface this comment. There are Theories about Conspiracies, like the Iran Contra affair, the Snowden leaks, Iraq WMD to control the oil, etc. Then there are Conspiracy Theories like the elites secretly being aliens or COVID being an intentional planned and sanctioned release to control the Earth's population. These are not the same. They often get lumped in together, and perhaps that's by design.

This should be common sense but science always needs to be confirmed.

The core subconscious reason behind believing in (untrue) conspiracy theories is the desire to know something others don't. If you buy into the deeper theories with no basis in known reality (i.e. world governments are ultimately controlled by aliens) then your brain is telling your ego that you have more knowledge and power than the 99% of the population ("the sheep") and you are aware, while they are simply not intelligent enough to see, not as intelligent as you.

There are other factors at play, mainly distrust of authority, and there certainly are real conspiracies involving the elites of the world, but for the vast majority of 'conspiracy theorists' that seek out and identify with obscure conspiracy theories with no basis in reality, it's a self-protection mechanism. Likely stemming from not enough social bonding / support network - either in childhood or later on.

I've never had a solid logical debate with anyone calling someone a sheep.

19

check_out_my_wood t1_j9kzhyz wrote

Replying to dr-freddy-112 (#1,914,261)

Right and this is part of the problem. Applying "conspiracy theory" to any topic – even the ones that have an incredible amount of empirical and official evidence – lumps everyone into the "crazies" group.

I don't believe the earth is flat, but I'm often suspicious of our government's motivations. These are not the same thing, but treating them the same keeps people away from spending any time forming an informed opinion.

6

dr-freddy-112 t1_j9kzz0b wrote

Replying to check_out_my_wood (#1,923,735)

I'm suspicious of some of the things surrounding 9/11. I'm suspicious of the train derailments and believe that it might be related to domestic terrorism that our government is keeping quiet while they investigate. I'm suspicious of our government in general.

But without enough evidence to make a factual claim, I'm going to keep that as a suspicion and not run around claiming that it's a fact. I think that's what separates reasonable suspicion from conspiracy theorists.

3

Cult_ureS t1_j9leimw wrote

Replying to dr-freddy-112 (#1,923,812)

> I'm suspicious of the train derailments and believe that it might be related to domestic terrorism that our government is keeping quiet while they investigate. I'm suspicious of our government in general.

Did you know The Bureau of Transportation Statistics records 54,539 train derailments between 1990 to 2021, an average of 1,704 per year?

> But without enough evidence to make a factual claim, I'm going to keep that as a suspicion and not run around claiming that it's a fact. I think that's what separates reasonable suspicion from conspiracy theorists.

Most people think the same, until it hits mainstream or alt media and their social group starts repeating it, then suddenly it's nearly indisputable fact to them.

We can be suspicious of the government, and we can be suspicious of media, but it's important to realize when things seem to be synchronously happening, and have been in the media at the same time, that it's likely not the cause/effect we may think it is.

‘If a lie is only printed often enough, it becomes a quasi-truth, and if such a truth is repeated often enough, it becomes an article of belief, a dogma, and men will die for it.’

3

LeaTheTrippyHermit t1_j9sno21 wrote

Bah ha ha! I have been clinically diagnosed with emotional dysregulation, and I laugh at conspiracy theorists.

2

futureshocked2050 t1_j9uwid2 wrote

And good lord do we not live in a world that loves to keep you emotionally dysregulated.

2

LandmassWave t1_ja50a7f wrote

Replying to Mete11uscimber (#1,910,432)

>We seem to have a high percentage of conspiracy theorists compared to other countries

We've been lied to by our institutions too many times.

The reason I don't buy into BD911, or we didn't land on the moon, is because the conspiracy would be too hard to execute.

It sure isn't that the government has earned the benefit of the doubt.

1

LandmassWave t1_ja51fzl wrote

Replying to Koffeekage (#1,911,662)

Tuskegee experiments. Lab leak theory. Russiagate.

Then you get the ones in the middle where the theory is an exaggeration.

Bush didn't orchestrate 9/11 but the government did try to cover up the real perpetrator (Prince Bandar).

Comet Pizza wasn't a venue, but we've had multiple sexual predators in very high places exposed since 2017.

2

LandmassWave t1_ja51pc7 wrote

Replying to 8to24 (#1,917,180)

It's a lot more than 2 in 1000. It's so bad that the CBC infamously wrote "Conspiracy theorists keep being proven right. Here's why that's dangerous."

That required more than a broken clock being right twice a day.

1

LandmassWave t1_ja53epz wrote

Replying to Cult_ureS (#1,917,841)

>If you buy into the deeper theories with no basis in known reality (i.e. world governments are ultimately controlled by aliens) then your brain is telling your ego that you have more knowledge and power than the 99% of the population ("the sheep") and you are aware, while they are simply not intelligent enough to see, not as intelligent as you.

The irony is these researchers are displaying a similar bias - "we're more knowledgeable than people who believe conspiracy theories".

1