To ask why Americans seem fixated on conspiracy theories?

Found this interesting study from Cambridge university.

https://www.crassh.cam.ac.uk/research/publications/conspiracy-thinking-in-europe-and-america-a-comparative-study/

Rates of conspiracy theory appears to be similar or slightly lower in Europe so no much difference. But there is a link with the right wing and magical thinking etc. very interesting.

American media is shocking, have you seen their news programmes? Everything is over-sensationalised crap. I’m not surprised they don’t trust their authorities. Looks like they get lied to and manipulated even more so than other countries. I think this leaves a lot of people to reject what they read and hear through the mainstream media and makes them far more likely to believe conspiracy theories.

I've always wondered at the cultural differences between Americans and the British. Baring in mind that America (at least the white population) is a nation primarily (and recently) descended from the brave and the foolish people who followed a crazy dream or felt disenfranchised by what they had in Europe and took a dangerous journey into the unknown.

You have to wonder if there is a significant variation in genetics as a result, maybe a higher degree of self belief over trusting authority or just a resistance to conformity or higher tolerance for risk. I've always wondered. Obviously its now 200-300 years since the gold rush and mass imegration. insignificant in genetic terms.

Also as a nation it's much easier in America to live a highly isolated life, that's would be difficult here just because of the population to land ratio. There are whole communities that cut themselves off there.

It's important to note that they may not in fact be more inclined to conspiracy, just more able/inclined to tell people about it online and so it comes across that way. I don't know if studies exist on either of these topics. Might go and have a look.

My American SIL and her DH keep talking about how they know the US Government is controlling the world's weather, and that now people are finally starting to talk about it.

It blows my mind.

You should reads books by Sarah Churchwell who argues that there is a sort of cognitive dissonance in American culture because and the gap between what the American dream promises and the reality. She argues it leaves them open to conspiracy theories.