YellowKing wrote: ↑Mon Nov 28, 2022 5:56 pm
Why do these seemingly "normal" (or at least seemingly functional) people just go completely insane when they get wrapped up in right wing politics? Kanye, Giuliani, etc. etc. It's really bizarre.
The Far Right has always and everywhere been founded on conspiratorial thinking. It's basic tenet is that all explanations about the way the world works (whether common-sense or complex) are actually lies promulgated by powerful secret enemies (elites, Jews, communist sympathizers, Satanists, witches, lizard people, the Deep State, etc) who use them for their own gain.
Conspiratorial thinking requires *constant* reinforcement so that the complexities and ambiguities of the real world are kept at bay. Inside the Movement, the narrative can never stop. Once you sign up, it's necessary to keep repeating and evolving crazy shit in order to reassure your allies and (more importantly) yourself of what you believe.
From an outside perspective, standing in the real world, of course this looks totally nuts.
Incidentally, this is why the internet has been such a boon for conspiratorial thinking. It's now possible to reinforce the narrative through hourly updates from thousands of co-conspiracists as opposed to a monthly newsletter or a weekly crackpot sermon.