Apophany

Perceiving patterns out of noise—even when the patterns don't actually exist or connect. Basis of conspiracy theory thinking.

For example, if you are motivated to find a connection between disparate information, you likely can come up with a through-line. However, if the conclusions are unsubstantiated or made up, then you haven't found "the truth."

It reminds of me of the Rorschach inkblots, where people perceive objects or even concepts when looking at random, ambiguous patterns.