Reply #50: Interesting.

[H2O Man]

I would define a "conspiracy theorist" is a person, and a "theory about a conspiracy" as a theory. I think that people use the term "conspiracy theorist" in an attempt to dismiss people in an insulting way. There are certainly some people who are unstable, and see connections when there are none. I also think that intelligent, rational people can believe a theory that is not true (although it may have some truth to it).

Police investigators and intelligence analysts are frequently "conspiracy theorists." It's fair to say that the best of them are slightly more "suspicious" about what appears to be true, than the general population. They have to be, and they have to question everything.

Interesting topic. I appreciate your response, and agree that we shouldn't summarily dismiss people, even those who seem to believe strange and unusual things.