# Why conspiracy theorists don't care about being right | Alenka Zupančič Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMOh23v38gM Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/hMOh23v38gM Generated: 2026-03-02T17:39:27.024+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Conspiracy theories are not fundamentally about factual content, but rather function as a form of disavowal—a way to deny reality by offering an alternative, often political or psychological, framework that allows people to avoid confronting uncomfortable truths like climate change or the failures of current political systems, ultimately serving the self-interest of those promoting them. **Key Points:** - Conspiracy theories are fundamentally about disavowal, functioning as a displaced symptom of a deeper social predicament rather than a simple denial of facts like climate change. - The philosopher Octave Mannoni's concept of "double disavowal" is cited, where people fully acknowledge a fact but act as if it is not true, allowing them to maintain a comfortable status quo. - Disavowal is often more harmful than outright denial because those who acknowledge a truth (like climate change) but do nothing are trapped in a self-serving framework that prevents real change. - Social media exacerbates this by creating echo chambers, bombarding users with emotionally charged, often grotesque images that reinforce existing beliefs and make confrontation with reality difficult. - The core issue is not the factual content of the conspiracy theory (e.g., flat earth), but the underlying social antagonism and the desire of certain elites to maintain power by propagating narratives that keep the masses distracted or obedient. - Conspiracy theorizing often functions as a form of political maneuvering to avoid confronting the actual difficult political or structural problems that require genuine systemic change. - Rationalizing with conspiracy theorists is likely impossible because their stance is not based on evidence but on a desire to maintain a specific, self-serving structure of belief, regardless of factual proof. ![Screenshot at 00:05: Zupančič introduces the concept of conspiracy theories as a symptom of social predicament, framing them as a kind of disavowal rather than simple factual denial.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hMOh23v38gM/00-00-05.jpg) **Context:** Alenka Zupančič, a philosopher, discusses the underlying psychological and social mechanisms driving belief in conspiracy theories, drawing from her book which spans politics, philosophy, and psychology. She introduces the concept of 'disavowal'—a state where one acknowledges a fact but proceeds as if it were not true—as key to understanding why conspiracy theories persist, particularly in relation to major issues like climate change and political disillusionment. ## Detailed Analysis Alenka Zupančič argues that social reality is problematic and conspiracy theories serve as a displaced symptom of this predicament, acting as a form of disavowal rather than simple factual denial. She references Octave Mannoni's concept of double disavowal, where people acknowledge a truth but behave as if it isn't true, enabling them to avoid confronting uncomfortable realities, such as climate change or systemic political failures. This inaction, she suggests, is more dangerous than outright denial, as it traps people in a self-serving narrative. Social media amplifies this by creating polarized bubbles, constantly feeding emotionally charged content that reinforces these beliefs. Zupančič points out that the content of specific theories (like a flat Earth) is less important than the underlying social antagonism and the desire of elites to maintain power by propagating distracting narratives. She concludes that trying to rationalize with conspiracy theorists is futile because their commitment is emotional and structural, not factual; they are often motivated by a desire to maintain a specific structure or avoid confronting the true, difficult political problems that demand systemic change. ### The Nature of Conspiracy Theories - Social reality is problematic - Conspiracy theories are a displaced symptom of this predicament - They function via disavowal, not just denial ### Key Concept - Disavowal and Mannoni: Double disavowal means acknowledging a fact but acting otherwise - This allows people to maintain the status quo, like ignoring climate change, making it more damaging than simple denial ### The Role of Social Media - Social media creates bubbles - It bombards users with grotesque images, reinforcing beliefs and hindering confrontation with reality ### Political Function - Conspiracy theories serve the political interest of elites seeking to maintain power - They are a form of social antagonism that avoids addressing real structural problems ### Rationalizing with Theorists - Rational dialogue is impossible because the structure of belief is not based on facts but on maintaining a certain structure or avoiding confrontation with reality - Psychoanalysis can help analyze these mechanisms, but it cannot replace political action. ![Screenshot at 00:00: Alenka Zupančič speaking during the interview segment.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hMOh23v38gM/00-00-00.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:06: Zupančič gesturing emphatically while explaining the core issue of social predicament.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hMOh23v38gM/00-00-06.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:30: Zupančič sitting in a vintage leather armchair during the interview.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hMOh23v38gM/00-00-30.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:48: On-screen graphic identifying Alenka Zupančič as a Philosopher.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hMOh23v38gM/00-00-48.jpg) ![Screenshot at 03:37: Interviewer poses a question regarding whether those who acknowledge climate change but do nothing are more harmful than deniers.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hMOh23v38gM/00-03-37.jpg)