Oddbean new post about login | logout Unfortunately Humans aren't as smart as people think. The brain is barely able to perceive the world properly. We like to make stuff up to help us feel happy.
Also being part of a 'collective' is in the DNA of Humans, unfortunately the idea's that bring the groups together can be anything. Why would anyone join a suicide cult? Well because others are. Why do people believe X? Because other people do. This has been proven many times, all it takes to start something like this is a small group of people making a joke. Or a singular well-spoken person who has mental deficiencies.