Why Conspiracy Theories?

Conspiracy theories are not a big problem for a large majority of Americans and they wonder how this marginal group of fellow-citizens have come under their spell.

I have a theory that’s not conspiratorial

 At least I don’t think it is. We all are presented with things we don’t actually understand. I don’t really understand how Space X returns its rockets back to earth and lands them perfectly in an upright position on a landing pad. I also don’t properly understand why Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson are so eager to get humans to Mars.

But I also don’t fret about these things and go online to join outlier groups who may share my confusion or, worse yet, encourage me down a rabbit-hole of off-the-wall theories.

And that, perhaps, is the difference

 I have friends who are conspiracy theorists in certain areas. One quite firmly believes the 9-11 Trade Center attack was done purposely by our government. He has elaborate theories of deconstruction by dynamite, no matter that the worl…