Yeah, I totally get it. So much mental gymnastics to make it all make sense and essentially to give themselves permission to believe what they want to believe. A lot of them that I interact with don’t seem to think very deeply about it. For some of them, I definitely think that’s intentional because they know if they did, they would have to face some things that they don’t want to. And if they had to change their stance, that would make them an outcast in their social groups and in their families and they’re not willing to do that.

I used to spend so much time trying to talk my parents down from the conspiracy theories they were hearing and repeating. But I just couldn’t keep up with it and the more I tried to discredit it (even with proof), the more it seemed to just push them deeper into it.

My dad continues to make comments suggesting that “the things we’ve been taught” aren’t true…and then goes on about some conspiracy theory. And I just want to say to him, ok…you clearly have this sense that you’re being lied to. But it’s like you will look everywhere for the lies except for where the lies are actually coming from!