How do conspiracy theories get started and why do so many people believe them?

I have had long talks with my apartment manager who believes several conspiracy theories as fact. While I respect her opinions, some of her ideas border on lunacy. Is it possible that President Biden does not live in the White House? She thinks he travels from another residence for all his appearances. She showed me a picture taken in the White House of something showing 2017- for President Trump's term. Her conclusion is that Donald Trump is still President of the United States.

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ImperialAerosolKidFromEP · 51-55, M

I've been wondering about that myself. I see self-delusion all the time but I can usually understand the motivation. My best guess is about nature's abhorrence of a vacuum. If the disaffected decided that elites are lying to them, then what are they going to believe in? Because it has to be something! Thing is, if you decide you've been lied to, then whatever shot you'll be taking is in the dark. And shots in the dark aren't know for their accuracy.