In light of the video I showed in a couple of classes Monday about government outreach efforts for schizophrenics--from The Onion--Wired also has a list of its favorite conspiracy theories.
Joking aside conspiracy theories provide a useful service for people who believe in them. It helps them make sense of the world around them. One begins with a belief about how the world works and processes information to confirm that belief. That the results can be nutty is besides the point.
After all, just because you aren't paranoid doesn't men that people aren't really out to get you.
