I think conspiracy theories play the complete opposite role in a...

I think conspiracy theories play the complete opposite role in a democratic society. People who read an article on a conspiracy theory and feel powerless after doing so lack the ability to think critically in my opinion.

An article from the tin foil hat brigade will be full of just as much editorial bias as a main stream media Muppet's article on an issue, its about taking both with a pinch of salt, and making your own conclusion about what happened that day on the grassy knoll...

and really you can brand any contrarian a conspiracy theorist just because they believe in a chain of events you dont agree with, it's just in some peoples nature to question everything.

I for one are glad we have conspiracy theories, because the world would certainly be a boring/miserable/lifeless place if everyone simply believed what the government told us....