there has been a tipping point;
These problems have gotten worse, the politicians have started becoming more blatant about not at least paying lip service to voters, and information has gotten so much easier to attain over the last 20 years.
So you have the Ministry of Truth telling Germans that their wives and children AREN'T being sexually assaulted by Muslim immigrants, or telling American workers their jobs AREN'T being displaced by Mexican immigrants, and then call them racist for complaining about these things , a market for "alt" ideas sprouts!
Ten years ago, I mocked many of Alex Jones's claims; I have turned around quickly on several since...the ones that were the second two categories!
As far as knowing how to manipulate people, or to know how they are manipulated, it's not a skill nice people pick up until they see a need to. I too wish I had spent less time goofing around as a young man and instead learning how to play this game.
Thanks!