Research has long focused on the characteristics of individuals who believe conspiracy theories and their motivations. Yet, an unexpected aspect has emerged: a portion of online conspiracy disseminators do not subscribe to the content they spread. According to findings reported in The Conversation, these individuals are driven by opportunistic motives.
These opportunists aim to incite conflict, create chaos, recruit followers, profit, harass, or simply capture attention. Their activities are not just about passive acceptance but a strategic deployment of conspiracy theories. A chapter in a recent book on extremism indicates that certain extremist groups employ conspiracy theories to recruit and radicalize. This strategy involves presenting a “gateway conspiracy” to engage individuals and draw them towards extremist ideologies, capitalizing on their curiosity and potential vulnerability.
Evidence suggests that individuals with positive sentiments towards extremist factions are more likely to consciously disseminate false narratives online. Monitoring by Blackbird.AI revealed a significant manipulation of COVID-19 conspiracy-related content. Notably, the Boogaloo Bois, a known extremist group, was responsible for a large portion of manipulatively crafted tweets aimed at inciting and radicalizing their audience.
First-hand declarations from such groups further confirm their opportunistic engagement with conspiracy theories. During the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection, the Boogaloo Bois’ participation was not driven by a belief in election fraud but, as described, to “mess with” the government. Aron McKillips, a member apprehended in an FBI operation, epitomizes this attitude: “I don’t believe in anything. I’m only here for the violence.” Such statements underline that for some, spreading conspiracy theories is less about conviction and more about leveraging chaos for personal or ideological gains.