Why are people so gullible when it comes to conspiracy theries?

Question

I mean ones like "We trained bin Laden" and "He is a CIA asset." And they get better, like people who believe that the planes on 9/11 were flown by remote control by crafty Jews in the Mossad, or even by Smirking Chimpy McHitlerburton himself.

Obviously these people don't have access to any more information than the rest of us. There must be some sort of short circuit in their critical thinking wires. Thoughts, anyone?

Additional: I've noticed that often these sorts of people have some kind of desperate spychological need to believe these things, just like some people need to believe that their cult leaders are prophets. It's just bizarre.

I notice that no conspiracy bible thumpers have bothered to answer, even though they were quite garrulous on the question that asked if we trained bin Laden.

For the benefit of nefariousx:

The part about Jews and planes is a conspiracy story I've heard several times. It says that Israelis were responsible for the 9/11 attacks, and that they used remote-controlled planes to hit the buildings. And that's why they say, incorrectly, that all the Jews who worked in the WTC stayed home that day.

These conspiracy stories are riddled with holes. And if anyone bothered to do some background checking on them, they'd find that out. But sometimes the so-called evidence requires an expertise that most people don't have. Like a lot of the engineering and physics principles used to "explain" the conpiracy behind the 9/11 attacks. Problem is, to a real expert, that evidence is bogus, but most people don't know that. The problem there is that certain people CHOOSE to believe the conspiracy narrative in spite of their inability to evaluate the evidence themselves.

Answer 1

Surely it is the ability for people to think for themselves that give rise to conspiracy theories in the first place.
It is those people, the gullible, who don`t think for themselves that land up being a cultist.
If you are told something by those in authority, for example, a bunch of policemen turn up at a house and start digging up the garden, and you ask them what they are doing and they say they are helping a mate out, `cos he has got a bad back, the gullible would believe, but you and whoever you tell about this will think that there is more to it, they may be looking for a body, but then again, they may be helping a mate out, seeds for a conspiracy.

Answer 2

well Its a way to deal with unreal events and because of he unreliability of the news media to report any event that would cast a negative light on this administration .
it is not so unbelievable to think our government had some kind of idea that this could happen and the circumstances that surrounded this event and because the American people had trusted the warren commission only to be found fools for that faith.
so i would imagine that it will better serve us to have these people willing to shed a different angle of what might of happened and if the idea that it was a maneuver the government was responsible for wouldn't you want to know more about it and see the proof of the event by being able to watch all evidence available .
I think the government hides behind national security and homeland security to cover up its mistakes by suppressing evidence that could e decisive in any direction and as for me I will continue to question the government and any other organization I believe is hiding something in order to protect its own interests .
hopefully I'm not alone in this way of thinking cause if I am then our way of living is comparable to sheep in the Field until its time to be slaughtered and nine of ten times the sheep are led to the slaughter by their shepherd

Answer 3

They take what is known, what you & I actually see on TV or what is reported by the majority to be true and stir it up and see what far fetched offshoots that they can add or subtract from the known events. They throw these things against the wall and the ones that stick are the ones that cause the doubts and second guessing of the Bush administration. Add all this stuff together and it ACTUALLY causes a loss in popularity and confidence in that administration. That is the tactics the Democrats have used to become contenders in the political arena. Think about it. They have NOTHING else and have had nothing for years.

Answer 4

I don't think in all cases people are gullible.People who believe in all conspiricy theories - maybe. But, for most people who take to these theories, they just don't want to believe all of the stuff the government tells them. I think that is very far from "gullible".
I, for one, know some very inteligent, well-educated people who believe they theory that the government was behind the murder of JFK. I have also began to question the events of 9-11-01 based on the theories in the movie Loose Change. NOT that I believe everything, but it brings up a lot of questions that the government has not come close to answering. And, I have no "desparate psychological need" to believe those things - I just choose to have my own thoughts and question those in power when need be.

Answer 5

Take me to your cult leader. Who would it be?
One can look at alternative viewpoints and summarily dismiss them at leisure.
If you absolutely refuse to view any aother viewpoint, other than those you desire to see, or which you demand express your views, then perhaps you are cultist.

Whatever turns your nose up. You must be quite pleased with yourself.

Yes our government has worked with Bin-Laden, that no one denys. The Bush family has shared business interests with the Bin-Ladens for many years. Those facts are not even in dispute.

Are there some crazy conspiracies? Sure.
Know the difference.
At least take a look. Dismiss at your leisure.

Answer 6

I'm not sure i understand your point.
You conflate a couple of things in your opening statement.

Facts with actual conspiracy gooblity gookk.

Bin Laden was assisted and fiananced by the CIA to fight the communist and yes
he was our operative our go to guy in Afganistan.

i don't get what is conspiracy about that as it is true.

The rest about Jew or remote planes is fantasy and i have no idea where that came from..and i don't care.

As for the rest of you statements i am not sure i understand whom your addressing or the point.

Answer 7

Conspiracy theorists have a basic need that is generally unmet. They feel they are uncovering and spreading the truth. This makes them feel superior to most others. Their low self esteem balloons. When they return to their daily existence reality beats them down and they crave their next fix. Their belief that they've "figured out the truth" brings them a sense of comfort and purpose. I feel for them and wish they would seek therapy.

Answer 8

I think it is a deep seated root , paranoia, distrust or dislike, of what they view, the "other side" , the side of power etc....this changes obviously depending on the issue at hand....be it government, traditional churches etc....They see what they want to see, interpret what they want..Most people view them as feeble minded but actually many are , charismatic and convincing ,well educated and intelligent, in the traditional sense. That is why their theories, as crazy as balanced people see them, often reverberate to larger audience. If people dislike something or someone in their life, they often look for a way to blame them.

Answer 9

It's a secret government plot administered by Chemtrails over blue states!

Answer 10

It's also a form of personal rebellion when they go against the commonly accepted explanations of things...

I think it's just a sign of severe immaturity.