The Paranoid Style: How Technology Fuels Modern Conspiracy Theories
Published on October 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM
In 1963, historian Richard Hofstadter delivered a lecture titled “The Paranoid Style in American Politics,” just a day before President John F. Kennedy's assassination. Hofstadter's work, later developed into an essential essay, explored the historical roots of conspiracist politics, identifying a recurring pattern of heated exaggeration, suspicion, and conspiratorial fantasy.
Hofstadter argued that while each surge in conspiracy theories feels novel, they often conform to a similar template. His psychological reading of politics suggests that the allure of conspiracy theories lies in their ability to provide a sense of control and heroism amidst the complexities of life.
However, Hofstadter's analysis had limitations. He underestimated the role of the "paranoid style" in mainstream politics and its potential to spread, particularly with the advent of new information technologies. The fractured media ecosystem of the 21st century, coupled with AI-driven echo chambers, has allowed conspiracist thinking to proliferate, morph, and reach unprecedented audiences.
Key figures like Karl Popper and Michael Barkun have further explored the nature of conspiracy theories. Popper defined the "conspiracy theory of society" as the belief that social phenomena are the result of hidden interests and planned conspiracies. Barkun identified three types of conspiracy theories: event, systemic, and superconspiracy theories, each varying in scope and plausibility.
Today's online landscape has fueled the virtual collapse of the event conspiracy theory, with online conspiracy theorists often prioritizing defamation over truth-seeking. The algorithms of social media platforms have turned into radicalization machines, amplifying misinformation and fostering self-affirming communities.
As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, the problem is likely to grow. AI chatbots can validate and intensify users' beliefs, even if those beliefs are rooted in paranoia. Understanding the roots, tropes, and motives of conspiracy theories is crucial to counteracting their influence and preventing the spread of misinformation in an increasingly digital world.
In a 1961 speech, President Kennedy spoke of those on the fringes of society who seek simple solutions and scapegoats. He expressed hope that the "basic good sense and stability of the great American consensus" would prevail. As conspiracy theories gain ubiquity, reach, and power, that consensus faces a significant test.