**The Opportunistic Propagation of Conspiracy Theories: An Examination of Extremists and Their Strategies**
Conspiracy theories have been a point of intrigue and apprehension for some time, with numerous studies examining the psychological profiles of their adherents. Nonetheless, an increasing amount of research has uncovered a more malignant faction of conspiracy disseminators: those individuals and organizations who do not actually believe the content they propagate but utilize it for self-serving motives. These individuals are driven not by true belief but by the intent to instigate conflict, create disorder, attract followers, earn money, or simply draw attention. It is essential to comprehend these opportunistic conspiracy disseminators to mitigate the detrimental impacts of disinformation.
### Opportunistic Conspiracy Disseminators: Who Are They?
While a significant number of conspiracy theorists genuinely believe in their theories, there exists a group of individuals and organizations that intentionally circulate false information without holding any belief in its truth. These opportunists leverage conspiracy theories as instruments to sway public opinion, provoke unrest, and push their own agendas. Their motives differ, but they frequently share a unified aim: to take advantage of the weaknesses of others for personal or political advantage.
These opportunists can be found on numerous online platforms, where they purposefully circulate conspiracy theories to sway public dialogue. They do not concern themselves with the veracity of the content they endorse; instead, they concentrate on the possible effects it may have on their audience. Whether their goal is to generate discord, radicalize individuals, or capitalize on sensationalism, these conspiracy propagators excel at manipulating emotions and exploiting social divides.
### Extremist Groups and Conspiracy Theories: A Troubling Intersection
Among the most alarming types of opportunistic conspiracy disseminators are extremist groups. A chapter in a recent book concerning extremism and conspiracies by researchers Colleen Sinclair, Andrew Burns, and Brett Burton highlights how some extremist factions intentionally use conspiracy theories as a means to recruit and radicalize individuals. These groups are always searching for what they refer to as “gateway conspiracies”—theories that can entice individuals to engage with their material and increase their susceptibility to radicalization.
For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, extremist factions capitalized on conspiracy theories related to the virus, lockdowns, and vaccinations to propagate their narratives. The disinformation-tracking entity Blackbird.AI monitored over 119 million posts about COVID-19 conspiracy theories from May 2020, many associated with extremist groups. Among these, more than 32 million tweets were categorized as high on the manipulation index, showing that they were intentionally crafted to deceive and provoke. The Boogaloo Bois, one such group, produced over 610,000 tweets, with 58 percent focused on incitement and radicalization.
These extremist factions are not necessarily personally invested in the conspiracy theories they advocate; instead, they view them as instruments to fulfill their broader objectives. For example, members of the Boogaloo Bois militia, who took part in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, acknowledged that they did not genuinely believe in the “stolen election” conspiracy. They were merely there to “mess with” the federal authorities. Aron McKillips, a member of the Boogaloo group arrested in 2022, exemplified this perspective by stating, “I don’t believe in anything. I’m only here for the violence.”
### The Function of “Gateway Conspiracies” in Radicalization
Extremist groups frequently utilize conspiracy theories as an entry point to more radical ideologies. These “gateway conspiracies” are crafted to resonate with individuals who may be skeptical of traditional narratives but have not yet fully embraced radical views. Once a person engages with these conspiracies, they are more likely to encounter progressively extreme content, making them increasingly open to recruitment.
For example, an individual who begins by questioning the legitimacy of COVID-19 vaccines may be lured into online communities that advocate for other, more perilous conspiracy theories, such as those concerning governmental control or global cabals. Over time, these people may become more receptive to extremist ideologies as their faith in mainstream institutions dwindles and their feelings of alienation intensify.
Research backs this concept. Studies indicate that individuals who harbor positive sentiments towards extremist factions are considerably more inclined to knowingly disseminate false information online. This implies that once an individual starts to empathize with an extremist group, they may become more inclined to share disinformation, even when aware of its falsity. This creates a self-perpetuating cycle in which conspiracy theories inspire radicalization, and radicalization, in turn, fuels the proliferation of additional conspiracy theories.
### The Strategies of Opportunistic Conspiracy Disseminators
Opportunistic conspiracy disseminators adopt a range of strategies to fulfill their objectives. One prevalent tactic is to inundate social media platforms with disinformation, bombarding users with an onslaught of false or misleading material. This method, referred to as “information overload,” complicates the task for individuals to distinguish fact from fiction, thereby enhancing the likelihood that they will believe and share
