Pulling the Thread

Conspiracy Theories Are For Losers

By Danny Alpert and Kristin Pichaske

Which political party is the most guilty of endorsing conspiracy theories? The surprising answer is...the party that loses​. Fear and loss are common triggers for conspiracy thinking, so when a party is out of power, it turns to conspiracy theories to explain its losses and rally its base. But something changed in 2016 - both political parties seem to be embracing conspiracy thinking more than ever. Could it be that people ​across​ the political spectrum are feeling like losers?

READ ON: What are the Five Reasons Why Conspiracy Theories Thrive in Politics? GBH's Meghan Smith talks to PULLING THE THREAD filmmakers Kristin Pichaske and Danny Alpert on the Left, Right and our brains.