The Anatomy of Conspiracy Theories

[Collective Evolution]: Merriam-Webster defines the term conspiracy theory as “a theory that explains an event or situation as the result of a secret plan by usually powerful people or groups”.

The key elements of this definition remain consistent across all authoritative lexicons: the group responsible for an event must be powerful and covert.

However, if we refer to the Wikipedia definition as of 11/2018 a new element emerges: “A conspiracy theory is an explanation of an event or situation that invokes a conspiracy—generally one involving an illegal or harmful act supposedly carried out by government or other powerful actors—without credible evidence.”...read more>>>...