Think [the box] ing discussion

I struggle with this. Particularly since the terrorist attacks in NY in 2001, ideas or stories or anything said outside the mainstream is all too often labelled as a "conspiracy theory" and the person who said it labelled a "conspiracy nut".

impo this is such a strong tactic by anyone who wishes to denounce said ideas - "nutjob!", "wacko!", "911 truther!" etc etc Time and again it seems easier to dismiss out of hand what is said simply by chucking a "conspiracy theory" label at it.

The impact of this is concerning. People who are certainly not nutjobs may then feel that if they do present something that isnt mainstream that it may simply be tarred and feathered..

Does this lead to a situation where voices of investigation and concern actually lead to self-censorship..?

Is this something which you have thought about or do you find yourself muttering about "conspiracy theorists" more and more?

Someone else has had concerns about this and posted here an article, from a writers point of view, titled, "See no evil: The label "conspiracy theory" is a stop sign on the avenues of rational thought and inquiry. It says, "Stop here. Entrance forbidden""