Re: Nostradamus.
When De Fontbrunne wrote a book about Nostradamus, it also became a best-seller in 1983.
I'm sure most of those who bought his book, didn't believe his story but found it entertaining.
Same for the Roswell incident, the Kennedy assassination, etc...in the USA.
There is a far greater danger coming from those who believe in a general behavior that only a small minority share than from those who understand how trivial that behavior ends up to be.
And the belief in conspiracies is, as far as I know, a trend that started in the US.
Raoul