Some just want to promote conflict, cause chaos, or even just get attention.

There has been a lot of research on the types of people who believe conspiracy theories, and their reasons for doing so. But there’s a wrinkle: My colleagues and I have found that there are a number of people sharing conspiracies online who don’t believe their own content.

They are opportunists. These people share conspiracy theories to promote conflict, cause chaos, recruit and radicalize potential followers, make money, harass, or even just to get attention.

There are several types of this sort of conspiracy-spreader trying to influence you.

  • surewhynotlem@lemmy.world
    0·
    1 month ago

    so why not have fun?

    No raindrop feels itself responsible for the flood.

    By perpetuating and increasing human stupidity, you’re enabling the situation you’re complaining about.

    • Admiral Patrick@dubvee.orgOPEnglish
      0·
      1 month ago

      No raindrop feels itself responsible for the flood.

      I love that, and I don’t think I’ve heard it before.

      • bizarroland@fedia.io
        0·
        1 month ago

        I came across this phrase organically by accidental haiku:

        Water drops in the Ocean never mean to be- come a tsunami

    • basmatii@lemm.eeEnglish
      0·
      1 month ago

      Incorrect, we’ve been fighting that situation for longer than your language has existed. It does nothing to stop having fun. Were not going to magically fix the people that take conspiracy theories seriously, they were always like that, and will be like that long after you give up.