IMO, figures of authority have abused public trust to an excess.
Combined with the Internet, this has resulted in wide-spread distrust, which forms the basis for belief in false conspiracy theories.
The most easy to believe lies are those that are rooted in partial truth. Its too rich for politicans, elites, or social media giants to complain about conspiracy theories when they so regularly lie, cheat, or gain advantage behind firmly closed doors. The dissymmetry breeds mistrust.
Yes, and it happens when there are no apparent viable alternatives, when there are alternatives such as The Grayzone, TJDS, Chris Hedges, Ralph Nader but they are buried, undiscoverable, inaccessible, and/or banished from the mainstream for going against nationalist fervor.
So, it's much easier for people to make up an imaginary bogeyman or "they" that they don't have to and can't do anything about because it psychologically excuses them from internal locus-of-control and taking the initiative against powerful forces who would likely crush them, i.e., Assange, Manning, or activists and reporters in Mexico or Russia. Conspiracy theories also give people a chance to tribally bond over some "secret, forbidden knowledge" when their lives are otherwise so entirely horrible and devoid of a sense of community.
"But it's like she just wants to be this warrior."
I think, for QAnon, this is especially relevant. Some people feel that they have no way to make a significant contribution. Child abuse is significant, and there's enough real child abuse for this part of the theory to hide in.
Also QAnon is "fun." Q drops are puzzles, and followers have to "do the work" to figure them out. "Researching" the drops only requires you to sit in front of your computer and scroll blogs and social media, and listen to podcasts.
Combined with the Internet, this has resulted in wide-spread distrust, which forms the basis for belief in false conspiracy theories.
The most easy to believe lies are those that are rooted in partial truth. Its too rich for politicans, elites, or social media giants to complain about conspiracy theories when they so regularly lie, cheat, or gain advantage behind firmly closed doors. The dissymmetry breeds mistrust.