Joe Rogan brought up an interesting point on his podcast: even the most outrageous conspiracy theories contain some elements of truth, which only serve to strengthen them.
Take, for example, the idea that Twitter is conspiring with the left to silence right-wing views. While there’s likely no grand, sinister plan at play, legitimate concerns do exist. Is Twitter’s moderation biased? Are its moderators? Even Jack Dorsey acknowledged an imbalance.
So, while the overarching conspiracy theory may be exaggerated or inaccurate, it often contains a kernel of truth.
Building on Rogan’s idea, I believe a conspiracy theory moves from being merely reinforced to fully embraced when the opposing side outright denies that any truth exists in the claim.
This creates a dynamic where misinformation becomes intertwined with a factual foundation, leading people to double down in debate. Further fueling this is the internet’s ability to connect individuals with hundreds or even thousands of like-minded believers, reinforcing confirmation bias and solidifying their conclusions.
There must be some well-documented psychological principles behind this phenomenon.
Matt Soreco 