Why there are conspiracy theories at all

[cpwm17]

28. It's a mundane fact that governments often don't tell the truth, especially when things go wrong

And there are also some truly slimy characters in government with their own selfish agendas. That is no evidence whatsoever for the ridiculous conspiracy theories put forth by those with their own selfish agendas to be gobbled up by the gullible.

However, one important part of scientific training is learning to avoid speculating beyond the data, but this requirement of the scientific process depends critically on the assumption (which is almost always valid) that scientists will present all relevant data and methodology to their research community as accurately and as completely as they can.

Not only do conspiracy theorists go way beyond the data they also contradict obvious fact. Conspiracy theorists cannot separate the possible from the impossible. Conspiracy theorists don't understand basic human psychology.

The reasons the Bush Administration ignored the warnings are opened to speculation. But conspiracy theorists go way beyond that. They create impossible Rube Goldberg scenarios that defy common sense. They interfere with the search for truth.