Benjamin Radford argues that while many conspiracy theories may seem like harmless entertainment, they contain an embedded narrative of hidden enemies that can foster mistrust, alienation, and, in some cases, justify violence or harmful policy decisions. He contends that the real danger arises when conspiracy beliefs—especially when clustered together and amplified by confirmation bias—are acted upon by individuals with the will or power to influence others, making skepticism a necessary safeguard rather than mere cynicism.

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https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/02/the-hidden-harms-of-conspiracies/

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