515 - Why People Become Conspiracy Theorists: Quillette Editor Jonathan Kay Explains How People Get Persuaded to Cross the Line of Logic

Who makes you think what? So many people come on my podcast and say, "Freewill is a myth." We've heard this from Yuval Harari who wrote "Sapiens." We heard it from Robert Greene, author of "The Laws of Human Nature." And now we're learning about it from a different perspective... Jonathan Kay wrote a book in 2011 called, "Among the Truthers: A Journey Through America's Growing Conspiracist Underground." He studied 9/11 conspiracy theorists, people who believe in UFOs, secret societies running the world and more. I wanted to know what makes someone cross the border from skeptical to radical. And he told me it has to do with a lot of elements... fear, control, desire to create hope and fight evil in the world. I was surprised to learn the psychology behind it. AND to learn how you can avoid the trap. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.