Kelly Weill

I think it's totally plausible that there's life elsewhere. The question is whether there is a large government cover up. hiding it from us. And I think that is what conspiracy theorists are really invested in.

I think it's totally plausible that there's life elsewhere. The question is whether there is a large government cover up. hiding it from us. And I think that is what conspiracy theorists are really invested in.

I think it's totally plausible that there's life elsewhere. The question is whether there is a large government cover up. hiding it from us. And I think that is what conspiracy theorists are really invested in.

Are these private companies you're implying or is this non-human intelligence?

Are these private companies you're implying or is this non-human intelligence?

Are these private companies you're implying or is this non-human intelligence?

I think Mike is exactly right. And there's another element, too, in that conspiracy theories are almost like a team sport. People use them to form in-group, out-group ideas. identification. And so if you're part of the elite subset who knows a secret truth, that can be kind of a good feeling.

I think Mike is exactly right. And there's another element, too, in that conspiracy theories are almost like a team sport. People use them to form in-group, out-group ideas. identification. And so if you're part of the elite subset who knows a secret truth, that can be kind of a good feeling.

I think Mike is exactly right. And there's another element, too, in that conspiracy theories are almost like a team sport. People use them to form in-group, out-group ideas. identification. And so if you're part of the elite subset who knows a secret truth, that can be kind of a good feeling.

People get drawn into conspiracy theories like QAnon, where they feel like I'm with the team and we're deciphering clues, we're uncovering mysteries and holding power to account. People really like that. And so I think if people feel alone and alienated and disenfranchised, sometimes conspiracy theories can help them feel like they're in more control and they're with their friends.

People get drawn into conspiracy theories like QAnon, where they feel like I'm with the team and we're deciphering clues, we're uncovering mysteries and holding power to account. People really like that. And so I think if people feel alone and alienated and disenfranchised, sometimes conspiracy theories can help them feel like they're in more control and they're with their friends.

People get drawn into conspiracy theories like QAnon, where they feel like I'm with the team and we're deciphering clues, we're uncovering mysteries and holding power to account. People really like that. And so I think if people feel alone and alienated and disenfranchised, sometimes conspiracy theories can help them feel like they're in more control and they're with their friends.

Yeah. And if I can flip that around too, I remember talking to someone who said that they had a family member who was super into conspiracy theories. And what got her out was not debunking them. It was finding another fandom to be a part of. She got super into K-pop fandom. And that doesn't necessarily work for everyone.

Yeah. And if I can flip that around too, I remember talking to someone who said that they had a family member who was super into conspiracy theories. And what got her out was not debunking them. It was finding another fandom to be a part of. She got super into K-pop fandom. And that doesn't necessarily work for everyone.

Yeah. And if I can flip that around too, I remember talking to someone who said that they had a family member who was super into conspiracy theories. And what got her out was not debunking them. It was finding another fandom to be a part of. She got super into K-pop fandom. And that doesn't necessarily work for everyone.

But for some people, you know, they're here for the belonging, like you said, Brittany.

But for some people, you know, they're here for the belonging, like you said, Brittany.

But for some people, you know, they're here for the belonging, like you said, Brittany.

Absolutely. I think we also underestimate how much these conspiracy theories had saturated the right-wing media ecosystem long before we were really reporting on them. Figures like Alex Jones are certainly considered fringe, but he had a really big reach. I think, again, it's a little underestimated how central these conspiracy theories were

Absolutely. I think we also underestimate how much these conspiracy theories had saturated the right-wing media ecosystem long before we were really reporting on them. Figures like Alex Jones are certainly considered fringe, but he had a really big reach. I think, again, it's a little underestimated how central these conspiracy theories were