Strange, I'm the exact opposite. Reading all this conjecture makes me cringe. I don't know yet if I should consider that a personal failing, or just accept it.
In this case I suppose I should take a more direct active role in attempting to mitigate FUD or verifiable inaccuracies - but those comments take a lot of effort and sourcing. Probably something everyone here should attempt to do more often though :)
But overall the conjecture and discourse in topics I'm relatively read up on but not a deep subject expert I find quite enjoyable, even if I know some of the details are likely to be wildly inaccurate. It's usually more than enough information to get pointed in the right direction so I can start doing my own highly specific research. I've found out about all sorts of awesome technologies/tools/projects I never would have if I hadn't read the comments on interesting subjects.
Overall I find that to simply be humans. Bar conversation was likely riddled with even less adherence to facts from otherwise scientific and principled people. It just happens, and is part of being human - you do it too and don't even know it. Most likely at least.
That has absolutely nothing to do with diseases. But it sounds so fancy that it's highly upvoted. Just like most other HN comments.