[lo_zamoyski]

Conspiracy theories appeal to people for various reasons.

1. It's something for bored people to do and to believe.

2. It's something that offers supposed explanations for various real or imaginary events or states of affairs at a lower cost than actual explanation.

3. It gives people something more satisfying than "shit happens", and in this way, gives people a feeling of the possibility of control over the unpredictable (superstitions like astrology and fortune telling have the same motive).

4. It allows people to rationalize their misfortunes, dissatisfaction, and grievances, and to deflect responsibility from themselves, or to give their envies the appearance of a moral basis.