Real-world events only strengthen conspiracy belief regardless of the identified perpetrators

Evidence

Bin Laden and his minions, in addition to the damage they infl icted, thus reinforced a conspiracy culture of whose existence they were likely unaware. The fact that the perpetrators of the attacks were quickly identifi ed made little difference, because as far as conspiracists are concerned, the visible world is deception, while reality is always hidden. The conspiracists’ task, which they performed immediately, was to identify the forces behind the hijackers. — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 816

Categorization

• recurring: this claim recurs 2 times within its source
• XREF: connects to: Marginalization itself functions as evidence of truth for believers — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic…, 190; The CIA’s mind-control program failed yet fuelled conspiracy beliefs — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic…, 386; Conspiracist claims must fit the larger story regardless of specifics.