What makes people attracted to conspiracy theories?

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   gmwilliamsposted 11 years ago

   What makes people attracted to conspiracy theories?

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   StayAwakeNowposted 11 years ago

   I think people are attracted because of the mystery and sensation.

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   d.williamposted 11 years ago

   stay awake is awake and aware, but added to that is the lack of trust people have in those in authority.  There seems to be a proliferation of greed, and more visible people in the news that are willing to take more than they need at any expense to, and no regard for,  others around them.  We are turning into a society of self serving individuals, and it is difficult to trust anyone anymore.  So, when a new conspiracy theory pops up we feel there is probably some good basis for it.

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      bgamallposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Add to this that we know that Operation Northwoods was a declassified plan that was vetoed by JFK. It would have had US forces attacking US ships, Cubans in Miami, and even called for fake funerals, much like we see at the Sandy Hook Hoa

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   Team Wisemanposted 11 years ago

   The Truth. We are all searching for the Truth. In today's time it is a lot easier to see truth, if you actually search for it. I do not trust our government, they are all liars and full of greed and desire gain for only themselves. They are hungry for war, but cry..Peace, Peace! What bologna! Most of what they do is hidden from the eyes of the public and this causes our 'assumptions' to rise. I am one who seeks out Truth, I need it for some reason, I mean really need it! I will not accept anything until proof is given, as if I even deserve it. I think it is healthy for someone to search out Truth like searching for silver or gold.
   On that note I would like to add an example, the example of 911. It was such a tragic event that I almost was disgusted at the fact that people had so quickly made up 'conspiracies' about it but I soon found that the obvious lies and changes in the story from the media led me to seek proof. Because of the proof I found, I now have no faith in my government, I believe they are murderers and have no hearts or care for human life. The proof is certainly in the pudding. Sadly, we can't heal without Truth. Truth is a necessity in my personal life and conspiracies challenge lies! I welcome them if based on facts. I did not want to know what I now know about 911, but Truth would not leave me alone, thankfully.

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      d.williamposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      most conspiracy theories R based on an inkling of truth. 9/11's tragedy was that BinLaden was visiting GWB in Tx at the time, & he was allowed 2 leave the U.S. before any action was taken by this government.

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   ikepiusposted 11 years ago

   Sometimes there is an element of truth in these theories, and that could cause people to think that they are all true. Or maybe people just like mysteries!

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   SaritaJBonitaposted 11 years ago

   I think people are attracted to conspiracy theories because we as human beings are afraid of the unknown.  We feel the need to have some kind of answer or tangible evidence to figure out life's mysteries. 
   
   In the case of 9/11, I think a lot of the conspiracy theories transpired out of fear.  Once again, a fear the unknown.  This fear also sparks a morbid fascination as well as our imaginations.
   
   Another component is probably a sociological aspect that is based upon human psychology and our interactions with one another.  Like the game "telephone," information can spread like wildfire and become abstracted from the original thought or belief.
   
   And I'm rambling again...

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      bgamallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Many conspiracies are true. People who cannot comprehend them are being lazy minded in that area. Again, it doesn't alarm you that the Taliban went to Texas in 1997 as reported by the BBC yet you cannot find the record in the American press?

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   Brandi Cooperposted 11 years ago

   Doubt and fear of the unknown is a good, blanket answer for it. That and people tend to gravitate toward sensationalist news and ideas. Conspiracy theories also help people rationalize terrible events. Just one, troubled lone gunman couldn't possibly have taken out the leader of the free world and a man who so many thousands of people loved dearly, so that gives birth to the idea that a greater hand had to be at work in JFK's assassination. 9/11 was such a terrible tragedy and the notion that just a terrorist organization (not even another country or nation) could wreak such havoc on what so many people believe is the greatest country on Earth is too much to bear, so people create a conspiracy - because the simple, mundane answer doesn't fit with the pedestal they placed JFK or the USA on.
   
   Historically, the conspiracy culture in America didn't pick up until the Cold War era. The Second Red Scare and the fear that Soviet spies could be anyone you knew or passed in the street was alarming. Not only that, but at that time, journalism and media was picking up and becoming more instantaneous and less-monitored. So you had the Vietnam War and all its atrocities painted and reported for the American public to find out about as it unfolded. The Vietnam War itself bred a great deal of distrust in our government - as it turned out the government lied to its people concerning the war, etc. All of this helped to fan the flames of conspiracy and paranoia, which ultimately helped lead to the mass conspiracy culture we have today.

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      SaritaJBonitaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, you certainly know your history!  Interesting and intelligent answer as well.

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   bgamallposted 11 years ago

   This is pretty simple. People who are thinking people and who are attracted to conspiracy theories understand that there are factual discrepancies within the official story lines. Until those are resolved then the conspiracy theories have legs and are legitimate.

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   CrescentSkiesposted 11 years ago

   If I had to label just one thing, and only one...it's all pretty much ignorance. They're willing to believe what others tell them and once they've been taught something they aren't willing to accept anything that goes outside their little theories.

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      bgamallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      No, most conspiracies, like 911 are grounded in fact. Did you know that the Taliban went to Texas in 1997 as guests of Unocal. When they decided not to build the pipeline to the Caspian Sea Cheney hated them. Al Qaida was just an excuse.

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      SaritaJBonitaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Crescentskies is correct.  It's history and not necessarily a conspiracy.  People have a hard time believing history when sideways politics are involved.  It scares them..

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      bgamallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Sarita, that is not what he said. He said that conspiracies are based in ignorance unless I am misunderstanding his post. If I am wrong, I apologize but I need clarification.

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    Bildad Hawiposted 6 years ago

    people are attracted to conspiracy theories because of inconsistency in information coming from those in authority and the countless number of witnesses who confess to a phenomenon or a suggested cover up.
    When people come forward with information that contradicts the official explanation given to the public, the people begin to question the authenticity of those in power and given that the masses have a general distrust of politicians proven by broken campaign promises, they are taken to be always lying and this has become a political fact.
    All in all, the coupling up of numerous witnesses, the distrust of those in power and the inconsistency of reliable information makes the masses to believe in a cover up and to start relying on conspiracy theories as the unfiltered truth.

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