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Knicks Conspiracy Theories - Boomer & Gio - Apple Podcasts

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Knicks fans insisting "I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but…" is a textbook case of how loss aversion and motivated reasoning turn a bad game into a rigged one.

Motivated ReasoningLoss AversionConspiracy Theory FormationCognitive Dissonance
Knicks Conspiracy Theories - Boomer & Gio - Apple Podcasts

Theory Briefing

  • Multiple callers on Boomer & Gio opened with 'I'm not a conspiracy theorist' before immediately offering one — a classic self-exemption fallacy.
  • The Knicks' loss sparked fans to seek hidden causes like biased refs or league interference, illustrating how motivated reasoning fills the gap pain leaves behind.
  • Loss aversion theory predicts that painful defeats feel too significant to be random, pushing fans toward narrative control through conspiracy thinking.
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