"Listen, friends: Connection is the antidote. As are kindness and compassion."
--- You just explained how the kindness and compassion that was shown to them came from unsavory characters. That's who made connection with them. Nobody else did and that's why they went with the first person who did.
Today is 11/23/2024. Here's a recent article that shows how easy it is to fall into a dangerous belief system that distorts reality. https://www.npr.org/2024/11/21/nx-s1-5174216/politics-qanon-relationship
Also, the cult mind.
"Listen, friends: Connection is the antidote. As are kindness and compassion."
--- You just explained how the kindness and compassion that was shown to them came from unsavory characters. That's who made connection with them. Nobody else did and that's why they went with the first person who did.
You're right. Kind of ironic, no? But I wouldn't call a behavior that has a hidden, unsavory agenda kindness and compassion. Intention matters.