That would explain a lot of them for sure. But I think many want to "show the rest of us" they know something that we don't, thereby elevating their self-worth
Oh, no doubt. There always appear to be a few of that type at the core of any given conspiracy "theory," then there's the widening gyre of believers that pick up the banner and run with it. The deeper I delve into this stuff, the more I believe that there are a few ego-driven attention seekers who are, consciously or not, feeding a great many other peoples' delusions. I'd almost go so far as to say a case could be made that what these glory hounds are doing is psychologically damaging to their own "disciples."
