It may seem that conspiracy theories were spread by the Internet, but that is not the case. The Internet has certainly contributed to the mass spread of conspiracy theories in all societies. Adherents of conspiracy theories can contact each other and reinforce their views more easily. Moreover, it is much easier to post unverified theories on Internet message boards. Anyone can do it, even anonymously. The topic attracts, engages, and always finds readers. People love mysteries by nature. For some people, exploiting people\’s credulity also helps them make money. Many Enlightenment thinkers gained popularity by indulging in unsubstantiated theories and sold countless books.
The theory that the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers was staged by the U.S. was believed by 19% of Americans in 2011, with 22% of Americans saying that conspiracies are possible. But the truth remains that conspiracy theories are neither a global threat nor have their adherents increased significantly.
However, one should not fool those who believe in these conspiracy theories. In the past, an astonishing number of conspiracy theories have proven to be true. Think of Roswell, New Mexico. That\’s where the space saucer was supposed to have crashed. But there were newspaper reports explaining that it was just a weather balloon. It later turned out to be a high-altitude balloon of a special Project Mogul. Project Mogul was a top-secret project to expose Soviet nuclear testing. Other incidents include the Watergate scandal that led to the resignation of then-U.S. President Richard Nixon.
Studies have shown that people who have developed illusionary thinking tend to believe in conspiracy theories. These people can easily find relevance in things that are difficult for others to find. For example, when they look at clouds, they see patterns. Their brains are good at recognizing shapes and matching them with familiar objects. Think of the patterns in coffee grounds. These people also have a strong tendency to see elaborate systems with clear patterns in random sequences. Furthermore, the tendency toward delusional behavior is related to brain chemistry. Remember that the brain likes to put things in boxes. And when it lacks some information (e.g., facts), it tries to make do with what it has at hand.
