I wonder, because it seems that it is effective even against people who otherwise have seemed fairly normal.
It seems like the first step is gradually to unmoor folks from reality. It probably doesn't matter how. Aliens. Religious fundamentalism. Macho culture.
They do this first by undermining people's reliance on sensible sources of information, calling it fake news, and steering them towards dodgy resources.
Next think you know, they are touting nonsensical conspiracy theories, or arguments based upon hopeless statistics, or things that make little sense. 911 was an Israeli conspiracy. More guns will produce less gun crime. And so on.
Those same folks then try to influence those around them to adopt the same methods.
It's a slippery slope which depends upon folks being willing to believe things in the name of their principles, then gradually shifting the factual ground under their feet.
Next think you know, they spout total fiction and aren't willing to listen to people with a grip on reality.
It's a clever means of manipulation against folks who know less about facts than they might and whose principles operate more like prejudices.
I think we need a new sort of education which teaches children how to think in a common sense way. Not to be Democratic, but to be sceptical, to make sure there's a link between facts and theories, to be careful where you get your information, and so on.
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