Flat earth, Q and friends are not part of the endemic beliefs of the general population. These are fringe beliefs. People might have the wrong impression about their spread because people like to write a lot about them. Curiosity makes luminaries waste out time or offer us entertainment. Also attractive to people that aren't too sure about themselves and try look for reassurance while looking at the clearly absurd. "At least those are more stupid than I am", "If those are not afraid of X, why should I be?".

Ukip, Brexit, AfD, Trump, FN are different phenomena in my opinion.

Some of Brexits arguments were objectively correct and there are no certainly correct or wrong opinions here. Especially on hot button terms like sovereignty and self-determination. It depends on what level you look. Self-determination against the EU or Russia/China/US? There are different answers here and none of them is entirely true. But the opposition just shut them down, so people responded in kind. That it was basically 50:50 is surely accidental, but I like to see it as a hint.

The AfD is radicalized now, but it was firstly headed by someone that has been vindicated by projections other economists failed at. He isn't in the party anymore, but what do you think happened with those that shared his beliefs? Those were correct too, what do you think they believe about their opposition today?

These beliefs aren't mine, but I understand their distrust. In many cases it is distrust that was earned, not by their failure to form an opinion, quite the contrary their opposition was in many cases completely incapable to understand the nature of their opposition, which paints a shadow on their own judgements.

The indignation against people not being able to think is misplaced in many cases, that is also true for the other way around of course.

>flat earth,

There is no rational reason to believe this. True. But there is no rational reason to believe "CDC/Scientists can be trusted" as well.

So do you consider the statement "CDC can be trusted" to be a batshit conspiracy theory?

Trust. Intentions. Truth.

So many things that underlie society’s ability to function, and one damages them at our collective peril.

The boy who cried wolf is a story that teaches which moral lesson ?

You stop and ask for directions, what if the person deliberately lied to you and sent you to a dangerous place?

There is an implicit web of trust and kindness that comes from our ancient past and underlies all of society. Capitalism and political posturing are poisoning the well of all our drinking water.

Not sure what to make of your comment.