A World Awash With Conspiracy 'Theories'?

A 'theory' is a hypothesis that's been tested before becoming generally accepted, by proven experts in that area. The term 'conspiracy theory' is, consequently, something of an oxymoron. There are, however, lots of them about in today's digital world. It's important to try to understand why (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/apr/24/fake-or-fact-how-to-recognise-a-conspiracy-theory). A belief in a 'conspiracy theory', is not a sign of low intelligence. Such 'theories' are, especially likely to be developed and spread during times of great uncertainty. Wars, pandemics, social upheaval, concerns about climate change, famine, cost of living crises etc consequently facilitate their genesis. When folk feel helpless, some may take comfort by believing that particular people or organisations planned the event, inorder to profit. 'Conspiracy theorists' may also tend to feel good, about being, one of a minority, who 'knows' the truth. Intuitive thinkers, relying on their 'gut feelings', appear more prone to accept 'conspiracy theories' than analytical thinkers. One way of identifying deliberate misinformation, is to examine where it comes from. It also pays to assess whether its advocate benefits from the 'belief'. It's worth checking the real qualifications of its authors. How 'conspiracy theorists' deal with criticism of their hypothesis, may also enable one to assess a claim's likely validity. Everyone needs a 'bullshit detector', to detect nonsense, in an 'information'-intensive world.