If something disagrees with someone’s world view, they can either update their world view or find a way to not believe it. Someone whose world view has become their identity will struggle a lot to update that world view, so it’s cognitively easier for them to believe a conspiracy theory instead.

So basically, motivated reasoning.

[–] IndiBrony@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

And often the only thing that could convince such a person would be to see it happening firsthand.

See: YouTuber Jeranism and his recent trip to Antarctica. Seeing a 24 hour winter sun was the catalyst to pulling him out of that particular rabbit hole.

That said, if the person in question is American and doesn't know how it happens, just sit tight because I'm sure the ICE will be along sooner or later to inform you of your free flight to El Salvador.

Failing that, we could always send said person to Western China to show them what's going on there.