We are told to dismiss conspiracy theories. They fuel violence, erode trust, and distort reality. Ignoring them seems like common sense. But history reminds us that conspiracies do happen. Power can be abused behind closed doors. And labelling something a ‘conspiracy theory’ has long been a convenient excuse for shutting down scrutiny altogether.
This leaves us in a difficult position: believe too readily and risk paranoia and harm; dismiss too quickly and risk missing cases of real wrongdoing. In a world shaped by mistrust, the challenge is not just in rejecting conspiracy theories, but in balancing scepticism with responsibility when the stakes are high.
