本文探讨了“阴谋论”这一标签的滥用现象，作者认为，许多合理的假设被贴上“阴谋论”的标签，阻碍了理性讨论。作者列举了多个例子，并质疑这些例子是否真的属于“阴谋论”，以及是否应该将持这些观点的人排除在文明讨论之外。

🤔 **“阴谋论”标签的滥用**: 作者认为，许多合理的假设被贴上“阴谋论”的标签，阻碍了理性讨论。例如，关于特朗普与俄罗斯关系的调查，以及民主党试图抹黑特朗普的指控，都可能被贴上“阴谋论”的标签，但这些指控可能并非毫无根据。

🤔 **合理的质疑与“阴谋论”的界限**: 作者提出了一系列关于“阴谋论”的例子，例如保险公司阻挠全民医保、统治阶级利用游说集团阻挠政策、美国对以色列的援助、犹太人与脱欧的关系、气候科学家操纵研究结果等。作者质疑这些例子是否真的属于“阴谋论”，以及是否应该将持这些观点的人排除在文明讨论之外。

🤔 **理性讨论的重要性**: 作者强调，即使是“阴谋论”，也应该在理性讨论的框架内进行探讨。将所有不同的观点都归类为“阴谋论”，只会阻碍人们对真相的追求。

🤔 **“阴谋论”的本质**: 作者认为，一些“阴谋论”的背后可能隐藏着一些真相，但这些真相可能被权力集团掩盖。因此，我们要对“阴谋论”保持警惕，但也要保持理性，不要轻易将所有不同意见都归类为“阴谋论”。

[Content warning: References to anti-Semitic and anti-Catholic canards]

I feel deep affection for Gary Allen’s None Dare Call It Conspiracy, a bizarre screed about the Federal Reserve/Communist/Trilateral Commission plot for a one world government. From its ridiculous title to its even-more-ridiculous cover image, this is a book that accepts its own nature. In the Aristotelian framework, where everything is trying to be the most perfect example of whatever it is, None Dare Call It Conspiracy has reached a certain apotheosis.

But my problem is the opposite of Allen’s. Too many people dare call too many things conspiracy. Perfectly reasonable hypotheses get attacked as conspiracy theories, derailing the discussion into arguments over when you’re allowed to use the phrase. These arguments are surprisingly tough. Which of the following do you think should be classified as “conspiracy theories”? Which ones are so deranged that people espousing them should be excluded from civilized discussion?

1. Donald Trump and his advisors secretly met with Russian agents to discuss how to throw the 2016 election in his favor.

2. Donald Trump didn’t collaborate with any Russians, but Democrats are working together to convince everyone that he did, in the hopes of getting him indicted or convincing the electorate that he’s a traitor.

3. Insurance companies are working to sabotage any proposal for universal health care; if not for their constant machinations, we would have universal health care already.

4. The ruling classes constantly use lobbyists and soft power to sabotage tax increases, labor laws, and any other policy that increase the relative power of the poor.

5. America’s aid to Israel is not in America’s best interest, but is maintained through the power of AIPAC and other pro-Israel groups mainly supported by America’s Jewish community.

6. The Jews are behind Brexit as a plot to weaken Western Europe.

7. Climate scientists routinely exaggerate or massage their studies to get the results they want, or only publish studies that get the results they want, both because of their personal political leanings and because they know it is good for their field to constantly be discovering exciting things that their funders and their supporters among the public want to hear.