Risponde Pascal boyer
people find the authors of descriptive texts, for example, about a computer program or a hiking trip, more competent and knowledgeable if the texts include threat-related information.
The mechanism is this: We have evolved to detect threats. We have evolved to learn about threats from other people. Therefore, we have evolved to ascribe expertise to people who describe threats.
Hence, rumors and conspiracy theories
Pascal Boyer looks like the winner http://www.arnoldkling.com/blog/pascal-boyer-looks-like-the-winner/
