An infinite number of conspiracies are readily available on the internet today. Many have been credibly debunked, though some are open-ended mysteries with contradictory, missing, or complicated evidence.

Large-scale conspiracies, like Q'Anon, that provide a "theory of everything" are quite popular today. Here, starting with conspiracies about individuals provides a good entry point to understanding the conspiratorial thinking. As examples, conspiracies about Bruno Mars and Princess Diana offer insight about the motivations and affinities of believers.

The third case study, allegations about the Moon Landing, is driven by distrust of the government and science. Finally, Trump assassination conspiracies highlight how tribal thinking and political polarization lead to conspiratorial thinking.

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Jay Trucker, Ph.D.

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jtrucker@ccbcmd.edu

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