It’s willful in that it’s motivated by other things, and I think the reason it becomes particularly offensive with antivaxxers is that it becomes harmful to other people, but it’s a purely selfish pursuit. A lot of conspiracy theories seem to boil down to “I can see this plainly obvious truth you can’t see, therefore I’m smarter than most, despite my failings in life or education.” It’s a truly selfish obsession, but not being able to see through it when it comes to the welfare of others or even their own children, is I think what inspires rage around this conspiracy theory as opposed to the sort of humor and frustration around, say, flat earth.

If it’s any consolation, I think the extremes have always been there. The internet just gives them a place to congregate. And a place for us to see them, where we normally would’ve met maybe one antivaxxer ever.