I agree with you
You said:
>" It suggests to me that human beings possess a basic malfunction in their brain circuitry that causes them to want to believe things that are simply not true."
And that goes both ways. Whereas you think I'm nutty for even LOOKING at these things, I think YOUR even nuttier for ignoring some glaring facts. Things you haven't been able to explain, or even consider.
It's a form of denial; your skepticism.