Seriously, it's like the default setting of most normies is set to maximum trust. They just read something and immediately trust it. They are told something and they simply trust it. Just like that! Does not matter what exactly it is or how absurd or unbelievable it is. If said information comes from some percieved authority, they'll simply trust it!
Sure, after a while they might start to question some things, but the very default is immediate trust.
Other huge problem is the inability of masses to comprehend complex concepts. You can put all the information right in front of them and they still won't be able to understand anything. Even if they start to understand something, usually they revert back to fallback questions like: who are they, why would they do it, it's not possible for everyone to be in on it or - at the very least - it's simply not possible, because that can't be true.
Who needs censorship when the masses are so dumbed down and their thought processes are so inert that even given all the information sitting right in front of them they still seem to be completely unable to get it?
it's not gullibility.
it's choice.
covid was easily provable bullshit. 9/11 is obviuously the work of some other entity besides some arabs with boxcutters. Biden very clearly didn't win in '20. Iraq's "WMD's" were also easily provable bullshit. the DNC cheated the fuck out of Bernie. the "holocaust" is an easily disprovable lie. Kennedy was very clearly assassinated by someone(s) not LHO. the list of easily disprovable bullshit that everyone goes along with goes on and on and on.
the veneer of the accepted narrative is so thin it's translucent and falls apart with the slightest bit of scrutiny. the vast majority of people go along because they're fat and fed and don't want to jeopardize their own stability or financial situation.
it's a combination of laziness and cowardice. not gullibility.
You are right as well. Laziness, cowardice and seeking personal gain are all involved. I don't think all of them are making conscious choice though. Some - maybe, but probably not all of them.
It's not only about larger conspiracies and lies - they believe various stupid and obviously false trivia as well. It's like one day they read that drinking too much cofee is bad and they tell it to everyone. Week later they read that coffee is good for you and they parrot that as well. No critical thinking or pausing to reflect involved. They simply believe any information that comes from their designated source of authority. Blind trust and not looking into anything is their default mode of reasoning.
Snowden, Seth rich, wikileaks and podesta emails should be required reading
I would say Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Pol Pot and the Rwandan Genocide are.
Do not forget the elephants in the room like Gaming-as-life service, paywalling news articles, weather apps and even anime artwork, the Comics Code Authority, the ongoing crusade against drawn child/anime porn and the ICANN sellout by Obama.