&gt;It&#x27;s psychological and goes much deeper than beliefs.<p>Oh yes! And you can get into trouble trying to engage with logic, because that is not the name of the game.<p>&gt;I&#x27;ve been perversely interested in this<p>Me too, and with other crankery. I recommend the book Mathematical Cranks for similar entertainment.<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;books.google.com&#x2F;books&#x2F;about&#x2F;Mathematical_Cranks.html?id=HqeoWPsIH6EC" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;books.google.com&#x2F;books&#x2F;about&#x2F;Mathematical_Cranks.htm...</a><p>Maybe I am interested in it because you begin to see small reflections of similar behavior everywhere once you start looking for it.<p>It seems rare at first, but now I think similar thinking is to be found everywhere, on lots of topics. It is really mostly a strident, emotional attachment to a point of view that is not founded on a desire to find the truth.<p>It is founded on a deep personal association. To deny your personal &quot;truth&quot; would be like tearing down your view of yourself. So instead it must be defended at all costs, which is fine because you already are certain it is &quot;true&quot;.