Why Do People Turn to Conspiracy Theories? — The Power of "Connection" Over Foolishness: The True Nature of the "Empathy Engine" Created by Conspiracy Theories

Questioning the Stereotype of "Conspiracy Theories = Foolishness"

The image of conspiracy theorists is often that of isolated "keyboard warriors." However, the latest field research has shown that the reality is quite the opposite. They are well-organized, recruit peers, and raise their voices in public spaces. The main attraction is not intelligence or personality, but rather the "meaning and solidarity provided by the community." Phys.org

The Path of "Awakening" as Depicted by 5 Years of Participant Observation

The research team spent five years delving into online forums and gatherings across the UK, following movements concerning 5G, COVID-19, 15-minute cities, and low-traffic neighborhoods. What emerged was a process where experiences of loss, such as job loss or the death of a loved one, trigger an "awakening" moment where it makes sense that "the cause lies in hidden powers," and individuals are drawn into circles of empathy. The key here is not individual but "amplification of emotions within a group." SAGE Journals

The Motto is "Do Your Own Research"

The community shares the ritual of "doing your own research." The process of gathering papers, news, and government documents to piece together unique "evidence" provides members with self-esteem and a sense of expertise, regardless of academic validity. This lowers the barrier to participation, transforming the space into one where anyone can "contribute." As a result, the experience of "weaving together" is valued more than the consistency of the story, making the narrative feel strong and "real." Phys.org

The Loss of Offline Spaces Pushes People Forward

As traditional third places like pubs and shopping streets decline and feelings of loneliness increase, people are searching for new "places." Gatherings and lectures warmly welcome individuals and celebrate each other's "research." This function of filling the void of social meaning is the source of the magnetic pull of conspiracy theory communities. Phys.org

Towards Protests and Activism—When Urban Planning Becomes the "Enemy"

Shared emotions lead to action. The introduction of 15-minute cities, low-traffic neighborhoods, vaccination sites, and communication infrastructure are targeted as "symbols of control," leading to reported cases of street protests and facility destruction. The research warns that this mobilization carries the risk of "misdirected targeting" and threatening "the safety of civic life." Phys.org

The Ecosystem of "Conspiracy Entrepreneurs"

Popular influencers, seminar speakers, and sellers of supplements and gadgets—"conspiracy entrepreneurs" who monetize distrust and link it to products, are emerging as a structure that reaps attention and revenue. This further strengthens the self-reinforcing circuit of the community. Phys.org

The Repercussions on Individuals and Society

The deeper the participation, the higher the risk of estrangement from family and friends and legal risks. Misfires can harm unrelated individuals and erode social trust capital. Of course, the possibility of real power misconduct cannot be denied. However, when resources are drained in battles against "imaginary enemies," the necessary oversight becomes inadequate. Phys.org

Interpreting Reactions on Social Media (Initial Observations)

Reddit

In threads of the intervention support community r/ConspiracyHelp, interpretations such as "the function of 'group cohesion' as an evolutionary adaptation to collective crises" and vigilance against "the powerful preying on the weak" stood out, using research findings as a clue to discuss social dynamics. It is characterized by a mix of affirmation, criticism, and personal experiences. Reddit

Summary Sites/Portals

The Conversation's distribution was also reprinted on Phys.org, Yahoo/AOL, and others, creating a multi-layered diffusion path. By reaching the general public through news portals, the intersection of "academic knowledge x everyday life issues (urban planning, healthcare)" became visible. Phys.orgYahoo StyleAOL

Supplement: Due to strict search restrictions on individual posts on X (formerly Twitter), this article primarily provides an overview of reactions observable on Reddit and major portals.

What is Suggested—Facing the "Desire to Participate"

1. Providing Alternative Communities
Public libraries, community centers, and open spaces in schools and companies should permanently offer programs that encourage interactive events and "joint research." If the public can provide "participation" and "places," conspiracy theories won't be the only outlet.

2. Designing Participatory Fact-Checking
Instead of one-sided "corrections," create workshop-style content that jointly designs verification procedures. Experience the patterns of pseudoscience and evidence standards as if conducting an experiment.

3. Institutions: "Dialogue Over Rebuttal"
Government and experts should first empathize with the sources of anger and anxiety rather than "refuting," and develop skills to share the intentions, limitations, and uncertainties of evidence, including its ambiguities.

4. Platform Nudges
Introduce "plurality slots" in recommendation algorithms to ensure browsing experiences that do not amplify only homogeneous information by default. Reward design should shift from valuing "assertions" to valuing "hypothesis updates."

Positioning of the Research

This research, based on "Resonant Awakenings: The Social Lives of Conspiracy Theorists" published in the peer-reviewed journal 'Sociology' by SAGE, visualized aspects of "participatory culture" that are difficult to capture quantitatively. It is important that the discussion expands from analyzing individual attributes to the dynamics of relationships, practices, and emotions. SAGE Journals

Conclusion

Conspiracy theories are not as simple as being dismissed as "misinformation." There is a very legitimate human desire to seek meaning and participate. Therefore, counters cannot reach people through information correction alone. What we need to reclaim is not just a place for facts, but a place to create meaning together. Phys.org

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