![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
On Crank Magnetism
May. 8th, 2023 01:14 pmComes today another post by Wiley Coyote, International Super-Genius (Just Ask Him) about how NASA faked the moon landings. This got me thinking about the phenomenon of crank magnetism, or the phenomenon of people believing in multiple conspiracy theories. Herewith, my thoughts on why.
A key element of any conspiracy theory is that “you can’t believe the official story.” If the official story is that the Earth is round, well, that’s automatically suspect. It’s then a not-so-long of a bridge to go from flat Earth to the Moon being made of green cheese. “They” say the Moon isn’t made of green cheese, but you can’t trust “them.”
Another key element of a conspiracy theory is the “do your own research.” Even if your “research” is looking at some cheesy YouTube videos with stock 80’s porn musical soundtracks, the fact that you “did your own research” is a badge of honor. You’re canny! You’re inquisitive! You’re Good Enough, Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like You! (Apologies to Al Franken.) In short, there’s a sense of belonging, and the more theories you subscribe to, the more groups you belong to.
There’s a third element which most but not all conspiracy theories have, which is a strong desire for the conspiracy to be true. Now, most people really don’t care whether the Earth is flat, round or hexagonal, they just need to know what shape it really is so that they can plan their lives. But circling back to Herr Coyote, he really wants to believe that NASA faked the Moon landings. That fits in with his overarching political idea that democracy is bad and Putin-style authoritarianism is good.
When you combine these factors with the amplifying effect of the Internet, it’s no wonder some people collect conspiracy theories like others collect stamps.
A key element of any conspiracy theory is that “you can’t believe the official story.” If the official story is that the Earth is round, well, that’s automatically suspect. It’s then a not-so-long of a bridge to go from flat Earth to the Moon being made of green cheese. “They” say the Moon isn’t made of green cheese, but you can’t trust “them.”
Another key element of a conspiracy theory is the “do your own research.” Even if your “research” is looking at some cheesy YouTube videos with stock 80’s porn musical soundtracks, the fact that you “did your own research” is a badge of honor. You’re canny! You’re inquisitive! You’re Good Enough, Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like You! (Apologies to Al Franken.) In short, there’s a sense of belonging, and the more theories you subscribe to, the more groups you belong to.
There’s a third element which most but not all conspiracy theories have, which is a strong desire for the conspiracy to be true. Now, most people really don’t care whether the Earth is flat, round or hexagonal, they just need to know what shape it really is so that they can plan their lives. But circling back to Herr Coyote, he really wants to believe that NASA faked the Moon landings. That fits in with his overarching political idea that democracy is bad and Putin-style authoritarianism is good.
When you combine these factors with the amplifying effect of the Internet, it’s no wonder some people collect conspiracy theories like others collect stamps.