The FNG Guide to Conspiracy Theories (And Why You Shouldn’t Lose Your Head)

Let’s face it — it’s chaos out there. From war murmurs to climate gloom and apparently sinister AI billionaire overlords the world can feel like one big rabbit hole. For the FNG, staying curious is vital — but losing yourself down the internet’s darker corridors? Not so much.

In times like these, it’s tempting to retreat into a world where someone — anyone — seems to be in control, even if they’re part of some shadowy cabal.

But here on The Farm, we believe in growing ideas, not fear. So, let’s explore why conspiracy theories are so seductive, what they might be doing to your mental health, and most importantly — some rock-solid reasons to stay cheerful.

Why Conspiracy Theories Are So Damn Tempting

You’re not daft, FNG. You’re curious, questioning, and switched on. You’re intrigued about the world and you want to know more. That’s a strength — but it also makes you more susceptible to falling into the seductive logic of conspiracy theories. Here’s why:

1. They Soothe Anxiety and Uncertainty

Conspiracy theories flourish in times of crisis. According to a 2017 study published in Current Opinion in Psychology, people turn to conspiratorial thinking when they feel anxious, powerless, or out of control. These theories offer a (false) sense of order amid chaos.

“Well known conspiracy theories suggest that the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers were an ‘inside job’ orchestrated to justify the war on terror, and that Diana, Princess of Wales was assassinated by the British Secret Service because she was a nuisance to the British establishment.” explains Dr. Karen Douglas, Professor of Social Psychology at the University of Kent.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, conspiracy beliefs surged dramatically. A 2021 Public Library of Science (PLOS) study showed rumours and conspiracy theories may lead to mistrust contributing to vaccine hesitancy.

Fear of the unknown drives people to seek answers that restore a sense of control.

2. They Satisfy the Need for Understanding and Belonging

Humans are storytelling creatures. When life becomes inexplicable, conspiracies offer simple narratives with clear villains. As psychologist Dr. Rob Brotherton, author of Suspicious Minds: Why We Believe Conspiracy Theories, puts it:

“The internet has made it quicker and easier to share theories, but there has always been this background hum of conspiracy. It’s a fundamental part of being human.”

There’s also a strong social pull. Believing in conspiracies can give you a sense of community — the idea that we see the truth while they remain blind. This “in-group/out-group” dynamic has been shown to increase feelings of belonging, particularly in those who already feel marginalised or misunderstood.

3. They Confirm What You Already Suspect

Enter confirmation bias — we naturally prefer information that fits what we already believe. If someone distrusts authority, they’re more likely to believe conspiracy theories, no matter the facts. Social media makes this worse by feeding us more of what we agree with, trapping us in echo chambers where critical thinking fades and beliefs harden.

4. They’re Intellectually Stimulating — But Deceptively So

Conspiracy theories often present themselves as complex, hidden truths that only the sharpest minds can crack — and let’s be honest, that flatters the FNG ego a little. But here’s the catch: cognitive scientists call this the “illusion of explanatory depth” — it’s when we think we understand something inside out, but we’ve really only scratched the surface.

And when you actually ask someone to explain their favourite conspiracy, step by step, you’ll notice the arm-waving begins and the solid answers run out fast. Because the devil’s in the detail — and so is the doubt.

Social Upheaval Isn’t New – And Neither Is Getting Through It

Let’s get one thing straight: the world has always felt like it’s ending.

History is full of war, famine, corruption, and wild fears about the future. Sure, conspiracy theories have flourished — but so have resilience, community, and old-fashioned ingenuity.

1. Upheaval is Part of the Human Story

When life feels unstable, it’s tempting to think we’re living through an unprecedented collapse. But history says otherwise. In fact, periods of instability often coincide with great leaps forward.

Take these for example:

• The Black Death (14th century): Wiped out over a third of Europe’s population. But it also broke the feudal system, raised wages, and planted the seeds of the modern world.
• The 20th Century: Two world wars, a Cold War, genocides, nuclear threats — and yet, it was also the century that brought about civil rights, universal suffrage, space exploration, antibiotics, and global cooperation.

Today’s concerns — climate change, war, political dysfunction, and disinformation — are very real. But they are not uniquely catastrophic. They are today’s version of ancient challenges.

“History is a vast early warning system,” said Norman Cousins, American political journalist and peace advocate. And he was right — it shows us both the patterns of panic, and the patterns of progress.

2. Social Upheaval Breeds Big Ideas

Periods of uncertainty are also hotbeds for radical, often necessary, change. When the world feels unstable, people ask better questions. They seek out better systems. They imagine different futures.

Conspiracy theories may be the emotional noise of a society in flux — but at the same time, new ideas are born. After World War II, we built the NHS and the UN. After COVID, we changed how we work, look after our health, and connect as a community. Upheaval shakes the branches. Sometimes, good things fall.

3. Humans Are Built for the Long Haul

From an evolutionary point of view, humans are surprisingly well-equipped for turmoil. We are adaptive. Social. Imaginative. Empathetic. We find ways to cope, to organise, to build, and to rebuild — even when things fall apart.

The psychologist Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, wrote in Man’s Search for Meaning that:

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

This is perhaps the central insight for the FNG: in chaos, growth becomes possible. On The Farm, we don’t waste time waiting for the weather to be perfect. We plant. We water. We mend fences. We grow — because growth is what we do.

So How Do We Put Today in Perspective?

Yes, things feel volatile. But they always have. And yet, the human story continues.

• Life expectancy is higher than it’s ever been.
• Global poverty, while still urgent, has declined significantly over the past 30 years.
• Technology, despite its risks, has connected us in ways our ancestors couldn’t dream of.
• People are more aware of mental health, environmental sustainability, and social justice than ever before.

Are there challenges? Absolutely. But the fact that you’re asking the questions, FNG, means you’re already on the right side of history.

The FNG Perspective – Stay Curious, Not Cynical

Curiosity is one of the most powerful tools the FNG has. But it’s a tool, not a destination. And when left unsharpened, it can lead you into places you never meant to go — like the YouTube comments section at 2am, arguing with someone who thinks the moon is a hologram.

So, let’s talk about how the FNG can stay engaged with the world without being consumed by it.

1. Curiosity Should Lead to Knowledge, Not Fear

We live in an era where access to reliable information has never been more available. The problem is: there’s also a lot of garbage to sift through.

So what makes a source reliable?

• Cites evidence from multiple perspectives
• Corrects its mistakes publicly
• Has transparent authorship
• Is reviewed by experts in the field

There’s an old adage: a good detective never fully trusts their first witness. And neither should the FNG. We pursue knowledge to understand, to grow, and to see things from all sides — not just to confirm what we already think.

The takeaway? Every FNG should stay curious, but build their values on solid investigation, not a distortion of the facts.

2. How the FNG Spends Time in the Real World

Want to beat the algorithm? Log off.

There’s no greater conspiracy killer than fresh air, mud on your boots, and honest conversation. Here’s how the FNG gets grounded in reality:

• Put your hands in the soil – Garden, even if it’s a windowsill herb box.
• Cook your own food – It’s hard to be nihilistic while perfecting kimchi.
• Move your body – Walk the dog, cycle the canal, swim in the sea. Mind follows muscles.
• Talk to real people – Go to the market. Chat to the guy in the hardware shop. Actual human interaction is an antidote to doomscrolling.

3. Sharpening the Bullshit Detector

Your Bullshit Detector is like a muscle. It gets stronger the more you use it. But it also needs to be trained, or you’ll end up thinking sarcasm is science and memes are data.

Here’s a simple workout:

🧠 Check the source – Is it from a domain that ends in .gov, .ac.uk, or from a reputable org? Or is it “truthfreedompatriot.biz”?

🔍 Look for evidence, not just opinions – If it’s just vibes and anger, it’s not information.

🐍 Beware of absolute certainty – Real experts hedge. They say “likely,” “suggests,” “based on current evidence.” Snake oil salesmen shout “THEY’RE HIDING THIS FROM YOU.”

👀 Watch for emotional language – Words like “shocking”, “banned”, “what they don’t want you to know” are red flags. If it reads like a tabloid, it probably belongs in one.

🤣 Learn to laugh at it – If someone says King Charles is actually a time-travelling alien, try this: “Fascinating. What year’s he from then — the ’70s?” Then change the subject to biscuits.

The Surprisingly Optimistic World Ahead

Here’s the real FNG insight: the world is full of potential. We’re living through massive change, yes — but also astonishing progress.

• Renewables are now the cheapest energy source in history (according to the International Energy Agency).
• Extreme poverty has dropped. There are more than a billion fewer people living below the International Poverty Line.
• Cancer survival rates are improving every year

And perhaps most importantly — people are waking up, not checking out. Movements for equality, sustainability, and transparency are growing, not shrinking. Yes, there’s noise. But beneath it all is a hum of quiet, intelligent, hopeful action.

Final Thought from The Farm

Life is weird. Confusing. But it’s also brilliant. And full of potential — just like you, FNG.

So next time someone tells you the Elvis was a reptilian or that birds aren’t real, take a breath. Smile. Ask them if they’ve spent time in the garden lately. You might not change their mind, but you’ve kept yours open.