Great piece.

I think conspiracy theories keep going on since there is a nugget of truth in each of them. The challenge is there is also a nugget of truth in most scams. That is why so many of them work.

I believe that the elite use esoteric ideas against people. Like you said, our own thinking is the most powerful friend or foe we have. When we believe what is spread (and sure why couldnt the conspiracy theory be started by the elite banksters?) we fall victim to having our minds turned against us.

I dont believe that all are necessarily conspiracies...some stuff is just a natural outcome of years of rigged system run by ever increasing greed. Instead of some grand plan, it is more likely simply a result from a sustained progression down a path of corruption..