90% of Americans believe at least one conspiracy theory

SystemShock said

Sometimes the people who are shun by the 90%+ form groups.

Some time ago I saw a documentary about flat Earthers. One of the more common characteristics among them was that they were loners, shun by others, bullied in school... I am willing to bet, a number of them don't even believe the Earth is flat, but they just enjoy the camaraderie and being able to belong to a group that treats them like they matter.

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That does make some sense but I think there still has to be more to it than that

No matter what random, obscure thing you’re into, other people are into it too

And ever since the internet became a thing there’s probably several websites and Facebook groups for it

Fans of Finnish funk music? There’s a group for that

People who perform Shakespeare in Klingon? There’s a group for that

Collectors of beer cans from the 1980s? There’s an annual convention

People who think ears are sexy? More than you’d think

There’s community and camaraderie to be found no matter what you’re looking for

That still doesn’t explain why conspiracy theories are what some people are looking for