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Why trolls, extremists, and others spread conspiracy theories they don’t believe (arstechnica.com)

submitted 2 months ago by ptz@dubvee.org to c/science@lemmy.world

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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.

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[-] YeetPics@mander.xyz 36 points 2 months ago

I love watching tankies squirm under adequate questioning of their morals.

You all fail to be genuine and it's genuinely amazing.

[-] Soup@lemmy.cafe 17 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Saw one yesterday that demanded proof against her argument. Someone provided it, she didn’t like it so she said it wasn’t true- then demanded true proof from a different source.

Of course that too was provided, this time by another person, and this also was dismissed as not true.

Several examples and fact-checked articles later she folded her arms and bailed. Never having admitted she was wrong.

It was truly remarkable!