This is all very interesting, and I’m aware of research indicating susceptibility to conspiracy thinking regardless of one’s position along the political spectrum. Of course, any of us might become siloed in an echo chamber. Any of us could be susceptible to biases, fallacies, and assumptions.

At the same time, when someone talks about conspiracy theories “on both sides” of the political aisle, I find myself asking: can we point to any examples of “conspiracies on the Left” which have come anywhere close to the mainstream acceptance we presently see on the Right? (In the United States, I mean)

I can point to Republican politicians, news outlets, and other influencers who are saying that all LGBT people (and all Democrats) are pedophiles and groomers. Or that the election was stolen. Or that COVID was a hoax. Or that there’s a sinister plot to put litter boxes in elementary classrooms for children who identify as cats. Or that climate change isn’t real. Or that evolution is a lie spread to erode trust in God. Or that mass shootings and other tragedies are faked, filled with crisis actors. I can also point to polling data which indicates a noticeable chunk of Republicans espouse such beliefs.

Using the examples of Democratic conspiracy beliefs mentioned in the article, are there really any mainstream Democratic figures pushing the narrative that OJ was framed? Or any distinctively left-wing folks who say the moon-landing was faked? Do we have examples of Democratic leaders actively spreading conspiracy beliefs about Trump? (They aren’t above reproach in my view, I’m just struggling to think of examples apart from typical partisan commentary)

After Tucker Carlson aired his special about January 6th, in which he recast the entire event as calm and peaceful, a friend told me it was appropriate, to balance things out, because “Democrats also told lies and spread conspiracies about that day.” When I asked for examples, he couldn’t name anything other than a vague sense that they’d exaggerated how bad it was, or that they’d unfairly called it insurrection instead of a protest. I’m sorry… is that the same thing as conspiracy belief?

I’m sincerely not trying to point fingers and say one side is “worse.” It just seems that we live in a time when one end of the political spectrum is susceptible to conspiracy thinking while the other end of the spectrum is actively weaponizing it.

I’m legitimately curious: what conspiracy beliefs are people encountering among Democrats? Are there particular beliefs or narratives any of you are encountering among people on the Left?

One that came to my mind: I know there’s a lot of anti-vax and “alternative medicine” sentiment within the wellness movement, which has a presence among “coastal elite” types and celebrities. The mistrust of institutions and embrace of pseudoscience there can be just as strong as anyone in the “Died suddenly” camp.