@S_r_stone @Alfred While Alfred's analysis is quite astute, you may also wish to consider reports by researchers indicating that, while many conspiracy theorists have a paranoid & deliberately obtuse mindset that's all but impervious to empirical evidence and documented or provable facts, also tend to feel alienated from broader society and retreat into tribalism for affirmation and a sense of belonging, making it harder to bring them out of their shells.
@POOetryma @Alfred Yeah, I am still triggered when the tell ME to do MY research or laugh off every refutal as "That's what you've been told to believe."
Told, and demonstrated in experiments, etc. So there's that.
Neil de Grasse Tyson put it best on moon landing deniers. It would be SO hard to fake it and a conspiracy of so many people, all without leaks, it would be easier and cheaper just to go to the moon.
@S_r_stone I just point out that NASA's budget is public record. One can go to the National Archives and request the relevant documents and see what NASA spent and how. While they may wish to believe the moon landing was faked, it would be even crazier to imagine the federal government spending $2 billion or so to perpetrate a massive hoax by simply filming a movie. What's the point when that kind of money will actually get us to the moon? Alas, as you point out, these nutjobs won't listen.
@S_r_stone The intersection between flat-earthers, anti-vaxxers, and moon landing deniers is often found in the realm of conspiracy theories and a general distrust of established scientific consensus. These groups tend to reject widely accepted scientific evidence and instead espouse alternative beliefs that are not supported by objective data or rigorous research. Flat-earthers believe that the Earth is flat despite overwhelming evidence that it is a sphere. Anti-vaxxers reject the scientific consensus on the safety and efficacy of vaccines, leading to a rise in preventable diseases. Moon landing deniers question the authenticity of the Apollo moon landings despite extensive evidence and documentation proving that they occurred. These groups often exhibit characteristics such as a reliance on misinformation, a skepticism of authority, a rejection of scientific evidence, and a tendency to embrace fringe beliefs. While individuals within these groups may have different motivations and beliefs, they are united by their rejection of established scientific principles and their propensity to embrace alternative narratives that align with their worldview. It is important to approach such beliefs with critical thinking, skepticism, and a reliance on evidence-based reasoning.