4 ms·
IMO, figures of authority have abused public trust to an excess. Combined with the Internet, this has resulted in wide-spread distrust, which forms the basis f
by Andys 6y ago
IMO, figures of authority have abused public trust to an excess.
Combined with the Internet, this has resulted in wide-spread distrust, which forms the basis for belief in false conspiracy theories.
The most easy to believe lies are those that are rooted in partial truth. Its too rich for politicans, elites, or social media giants to complain about conspiracy theories when they so regularly lie, cheat, or gain advantage behind firmly closed doors. The dissymmetry breeds mistrust.
- hexbinencoded 6y agoYes, and it happens when there are no apparent viable alternatives, when there are alternatives such as The Grayzone, TJDS, Chris Hedges, Ralph Nader but they are buried, undiscoverable, inaccessible, and/or banished from the mainstream for going against nationalist fervor. So, it's much easier for people to make up an imaginary bogeyman or "they" that they don't have to and can't do anything about because it psychologically excuses them from internal locus-of-control and taking the initiative against powerful forces who would likely crush them, i.e., Assange, Manning, or activists and reporters in Mexico or Russia. Conspiracy theories also give people a chance to tribally bond over some "secret, forbidden knowledge" when their lives are otherwise so entirely horrible and devoid of a sense of community.