What's your theory about conspiracy theories ?

The advent of the internet has greatly stimulated the acceptance of conspiracy theories. Before the internet crackpot conspiracy theories appeared mainly in seedy tabloid newspapers. Only the most gullible, ill-educated people read or believed in such publications.

With the internet, however, millions of people who should know better are ready to believe the most preposterous nonsense. They seem empowered that they have been let into special knowledge. Reputable news organizations with editors, fact checking and evidence-based reporting have become the establishment that is hiding "the truth" and promoting "fake news."