People turn to conspiracy theories in a subconscious quest to feel like they 'matter', research suggests

[haele]

2. And they know they're special, which makes them happy.

We all need validation, across the mental spectrum.
Even scared or dull people who appear to pursue lives without meaning. Something that allows us satisfaction and a feeling of self-power at the very least - even if it in saying to ourselves, "at least I'm not that poor dude."

One of the reasons I'm a bit leery of radicals of all sorts - too many are egos looking for those special causes that sound great without having to provide very many results or actually facing logic - or consequences.