Why are conspiracy theories so popular?

When was the last time you accessed the Internet, did not notice anything strange? There is at least a little to pay attention to the comments under the popular blogs, how to catch the eye of conspiracy theories of all stripes. People of all ages with the tenacity peculiar to students on the diploma, proving that mark Zuckerberg — the reptilians, and the weapons of mass destruction, planned by those in power. After reading this, you probably think that the world has gone mad. However, scientists believe otherwise.

Where are the conspiracy theories

Conspiracy Theories accompany mankind throughout its history. If you think this is logical and even inherent in our nature. We fear what we do not know. And it becomes especially scary in situations of instability, such as political, economic or social.

Imagine that the usual order of things is no longer around and confusion. You don't know what happened and who makes decisions that affect the life you and your family. And no one you know understands what's going on.

An Unpleasant situation, right? Now imagine that these shocks occur in the absence of the Internet and mass media. What will you think? And your loved ones? It is not excluded that the first thing that comes to mind is the idea that the powerful have conspired among themselves and doing something terrible. And after a couple of days your friends will start to seriously fear the unknown infectious disease. And you think that perhaps all this has something to do.

That is Exactly what the conspiracy theory born. No one knows anything, but everything looks very suspicious, especially when the window rattles revolution or the great depression. The heart of any conspiracy theory — absolute power, or rather its search. We like to think that there is a simple explanation of what is happening around. And despite the fact that conspiracy theories do not give answers to complex questions, they focus on the most mysterious in the world of evil. And this, as history shows, it's quite sufficient.

Why conspiracy theories still exist?

Today each of us in his pocket with which you can find almost everything. Remember when Alexander II abolished serfdom? Not a problem, just google it. Since 2007 people around the world use smartphones daily and are looking for answers to various questions. It would seem that it is a world in which there is no place for conspiracy theories. But with the advent of Internet everything has become worse.

No One likes complexity. And to live in a world full of dangers about which nothing is known is simply terrible. To feel comfortable we try to organize the world around us. We settle for evil, delegate power to her and — Oh, miracle, it becomes easier. Because there is someone to whom belongs all power, and therefore can not so much worry about his fate, because it decided for us.

Religion works in a similar way. Our thinking is not perfect, but evolution made it so that we avoid risk at any cost. Throughout human history, various beliefs have helped us to build a civilization. Conspiracies, monsters, angels and demons is an integral part of us. And the Internet breathed new life into them.

Psychologists studying conspiracy theories, found that conspiracy theorist often become cynics and those who questioned the ways of the government. When disaster strikes or a terrorist attack, such people want to share their opinions with others, and we all know how easy it is today.

Most popular conspiracy theories

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Reptiles

Did You know that the reptilians humanoid reptiles who secretly live in the Land and seek to enslave mankind? That is one of the most popular conspiracy theories on the planet. Those who believe in the existence of reptilians, I believe that the founder of the social network , the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, former US President George HW Bush and a huge number of well-known personalities — the reptilians.

it looks sad reptilians — a statuette of the award of Honorary Academician LIED

Least of all his love for the reptilians secret Igor Prokopenko. Presenter of programs on Ren-TV and incredibly prolific writer in 2017 won the statuette sad reptilians. This medal was awarded to him the jury of the award "Honorary Academician LIED" (Bronicheski Academy of Pseudo-Sciences) for contribution to the development of pseudoscience in Russia. Congratulations again, Igor. It really had to be earned.

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Area 51

The Followers of conspiracy theories about the so-called area 51, the existence of which allegedly hiding US authorities believe that in 1947 in Roswell, new Mexico crashed flying saucer. And the military did not invent anything better how to rush to hide it in area 51.

It is believed that area 51 is situated a secret base of the US air force. There the government is developing secret technologies and even weapons. This conspiracy theory is so popular that it was sold outside of the United States.

still from the animated series “the Simpsons”

Thanks to the numerous references to area 51 in movies and TV shows people around the world have expressed their desire to take it by storm. Let me explain: users of the social network (whose founder reptilians, don't forget) created the meeting page, the purpose of which was the assault area 51 on 20 September 2019. After participantsgained more than 2 million people Facebook has deleted the page. What do you think, coincidence?

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HIV/AIDS does not exist

Perhaps, this theory is today one of the most popular in Russia. She's really dangerous: when a person infected with the AIDS virus voluntarily refuses treatment, he harms himself and others, so as not consciously taking the necessary precautions and can infect other loved ones, e.g. your spouse.

Popular comments

Such people are called HIV-dissidents. They believe that make — believe doctors and pharmaceutical companies. Existing scientific evidence of virus nature of the disease for them an empty phrase.

Sorry, this conspiracy theory has its guru. Olga Kovach also known as "Dr. Death" in 2017 also received the title of Honorary Academician LIED and sad reptilians. Got the award for her denial of the existence not only of HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis. In addition, the "Doctor Death" actively oppose vaccination (who would doubt).

The Question of the Millennium:

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GMO — it is poison

I Hope most readers know that genes are not only genetically modified plants, but also ordinary. It would seem that here such, but if you do not know, you can not believe in anything. Especially in the fact that genetically modified foods are poison. You've probably seen in stores products labeled "GMO free". A shame, but marketers are not mistaken — in the minds of consumers in all countries of the world GM foods cause cancer, contain poison, and is generally a nightmare.

GMO monster?

In fact, GMO is good. With the help of genetic engineering, scientists can create a variety of organisms. Genes are constantly changing. They mutate themselves in nature, it is called . When working with GMO crops in the laboratory, scientists can control the process of mutation of genes. In addition, the scientists change the plants with a specific purpose — for example, to obtain plants that are resistant to any virus or to grow potatoes, you do not need to spray pesticides for Colorado potato beetle.

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the Secret world government

Surely you know those who at every opportunity says that the presidents of all countries "just puppets" that do not solve. They need to cover to divert public attention from the secret rulers of the Earth. These dark cardinals, according to the supporters of this conspiracy theory, preside over the destinies of the world. And nothing that they had not seen, it says only about their omnipotence.

still from the series "Secret materials"

The Internet is full of articles about what the secret government is going to start a war, committed genocide and the list goes on. Popular culture is in step with the times, removing a huge number of films and TV series on this subject. Secret world government — through the plot of the series "Secret materials" and its basis. Apparently, it sounds very plausible, especially when the government is in no hurry to share information with citizens.

blame it on the brain

Each of us faces daily with a phenomenon called "cognitive distortion". Under cognitive distortion refers to many logical errors, such as errors in understanding cause-and-effect relationships.

The Biologist and popularizer of science Alexander Panin in one of the many lectures gave a great example of this cognitive distortion: as you know, the cock crows with the sunrise. But if the rooster to kill, it does not mean that the sun never rises.

By the Way, these and many other topics can be discussed in our

Conspiracy Theories exist including due to the many errors of human thinking. So often there are situations when reasonable people who are not devotees of conspiracy theories to fall for these tricks.

Humanity becomes stupid?

However, some scientists believe that the excessive proliferation of conspiracy theories can testify about the intellectual decay of society. Thus, the Russian biologist Alexander Markov considers that the humanity is getting more and more stupid. In his opinion, "the evolution of modern society is directed toward genetic degradation, which is kompensiruet socio-cultural development". Markov adverse selection in the genes of education was the entire twentieth century.

In confirmation it is possible to bring the study of Icelandic scientists. The results state that educated people are worse reproduce. Participation in the study took 110 thousand people. But history shows that influential position in society had been occupied by better-educated people.

What future is waiting for us

If nothing changes, our civilization may well turn into animated film "Idiocracy". In it the main character, an unremarkable clerk gets in the future and is surprised to find that is the smartest man on the planet.

still from the film "Idiocracy"

While Writing this article I have mixed emotions. On the one hand, evidence in favor of the opinion of Alexander Markov are many and significant. And comments on the Internet along with the popularity of such charactersas Olga Buzova sometimes make you depressed.

On the other hand, awareness of cognitive error and critical thinking skills is able to radically change the current situation. There are studies proving that a one-semester course critical thinking in University positively affects a person's ability to think clearly, which greatly reduces the chances to fall victim .

What do you think about this?