Yep. Ayn Rand called this "package dealing," though she wasn't thinkimng about conspiracy theories in particular. For instance, "selfish." Is that pursuing rat

Yep. Ayn Rand called this "package dealing," though she wasn't thinkimng about conspiracy theories in particular. For instance, "selfish." Is that pursuing rational long-term values, or is that victimizing others in a futile attempt at short-term gain? Catholic priests lumped them together intentionally since the middle ages, and so it continues throughout our culture today to help justify various kinds of collectivism. Today people are doing it with "conspiracy theories" to try to prevent challenges to their worldview. But the fact is, sometimes, conspiracies actually do happen!