'Conspiracy theorizing is a deeply ingrained human phenomenon'

Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol building during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection attempt

(Image credit: Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

published 6 January 2025

'The internet is worse than a brainwashing machine'

Charlie Warzel and Mike Caulfield at The Atlantic

The "revision of Jan. 6 among many Republicans is alarming," but it is "also a powerful example of how the internet has warped our political reality," say Charlie Warzel and Mike Caulfield. The internet "may function not so much as a brainwashing engine but as a justification machine." As the "mob stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, the justification machine spun up, providing denial-as-a-service to whomever was in need of it, in real time."

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Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.