Why do people believe in conspiracy theories? This reporter tried to find out

Algonquin Books

“Off the Edge: Flat Earthers, Conspiracy Culture, and Why People Will Believe Anything,” by Kelly Weill.

The so-called recount of Maricopa County’s 2020 ballots was ostensibly driven by unfounded accusations of voter fraud — which led to thousands of people believing their votes hadn’t been counted and the results were inaccurate.

That particular belief falls under the broader umbrella of conspiracy theories, which have been more likely to pop up now than ever before.

Kelly Weill is a reporter for the Daily Beast who has focused on conspiracy theories. She writes about a number of them in the new book, “Off the Edge: Flat Earthers, Conspiracy Culture, and Why People Will Believe Anything.”

The Show spoke with her to learn about her experiences and findings in investigating why people believe in conspiracy theories.

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