Why do people have beliefs that are clearly ridiculous?

I ask because I just don't understand this; I'm genuinely confused. For example, the belief that many now apparently have that the Earth is flat! Seriously? Are these people just trolling us? Is this all some big joke that I'm not aware of?
My sister often watches this YouTube channel, and I have to say it is full of batshit crazy nonsense of the highest calibre!

https://www.youtube.com/@minutesofhorror/videos

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Yourwildestdreams · 51-55, M

Here’s an interesting article that may help explain it from a psychological perspective .

“Conspiracy theorists are not all likely to be simple-minded, mentally unwell folks—a portrait which is routinely painted in popular culture,”
“Instead, many turn to conspiracy theories to fulfill deprived motivational needs and make sense of distress and impairment.”

https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/06/why-people-believe-conspiracy-theories