Well I think confirmation bias is part of it. Also affinity bias. Spreading of alternatives. So is the need to belong to a group, which is stronger in some people than others.

I am not sure everyone knows the weaknesses if their belief system. If you come from an authoritarian background, you are taught from a young age not to question authority and are punished if you do.

I do think some people are highly aware and exploit people. Others may not understand the underlying mechanisms, but they can smell it a mile away and use it to their advantage.

Sorry you have to live there and sit and watch this happen.

I was raised in the belief system. As soon as you start to think critically and ask questions, it unravels alarmingly quickly. It all makes sense until you pull that one string. Then the avalanche of "well, if that's not true, what about..." and when you ask earnest questions to try to salvage any if it, you are labeled as "woke" and pretty much anything you say is immediately discredited.

Well, that only applies in circumstances that are convenient to them. The purpose of the government is to support their beliefs and squash anything and anyone that causes open dialog.

At least that's how it looks to me.

Oh my! Electric cars and solar energy! What on earth is this world coming to! THEY ARE THREATENING OUR CONSERVATIVE IDEALS (of ruining the planet and fostering unethical business practices?)

It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.

Beautiful and a bit sad to think of all that burning.