Luna del'Corvo

I had to laugh at your categories at the top of your post! Conspiracies certainly exist, although they are rarely as powerful and pervasive as some people like to believe. And I navigate a LOT of "fringe" crowds so I know of what I speak!

I've actually been harassed by black helicopters and complained to the police (along with several neighbors.) I've seen some odd things that could be called 'chem-trails' (IF real- and I have no firm opinion on this- not actually chemicals per se as aluminum bits scattered to reflect sunlight.) Aromatherapy is harmless and smells pretty, but I wouldn't use it for more than psychological soothing. Anti-vaccine people-- AGREED, and DUH!

HOWEVER-! Even though I'm less black and white on these types of things than you are in many cases, I would have to say I agree almost 100% with your reasoning on the GMO issue. Its not that all things new and designed, even genetically, are evil or anything. But the issues you bring up (encourages over-use of chemicals, decreases bio-diversity, etc.) are legitimate concerns.

Unfortunately, I think this whole SCIENCE VS. "ANTI-SCIENCE" branding thing is going way too far and obscuring some real concerns. Just pointing a finger and calling names and saying, "People who disagree are CRAZY! Obviously!" is not going to encourage reason. Again, I've rolled my eyes at extremists in all sorts of areas that most ivory-tower intellectuals would scream to even entertain-- while far enough out there in my own beliefs that many "mainstream" types would call ME crazy. You know this!

It IS indeed a minefield. Because at some point everyone stopped listening. Most people stopped trusting anything that didn't get an official endorsement from on high. By "most people" I mean only the sanctioned part of society. Problem is, a large minority of the population is diverging from the pack.

Let me explain from those who lean towards the "crazy" point of view...

Part of the problem is that strange and crazy-sounding things DO happen, and for ANYONE who comes across evidence that even ONE thing they've been told by the establishment is a lie, there is a breakdown of TRUST with this establishment that the media staunchly endorses. What I've seen happen, again and again, is that when people realize that those holy scientists and media talking heads aren't telling the whole side, aren't actually investigating to even find out if there's anything to these unanswered questions-- they feel alienated from the process and summarily reject most of what comes out of it. They lose their faith in those who are supposed to tell them the truth.

This can lead to the whole conspiracy mindset. I myself am aware of some true conspiracies, but possible scenarios in that direction have been mostly mental masterbation for me. I don't take it all personally. But a lot of people do, and that's when reason and logic can go off the rails.

I have this odd perspective because I see many true believers of many stripes who STOP asking questions and looking for answers. That leads them to the weird ideas, such as the notion that vaccinations are bad for you.

Its obvious where THAT end of things can go wrong. However, the most frustrating thing for me is that now the establishment, using the endorsement of supposedly reasoned and logical experts, throws those words around to make ANYONE who wants to look deeper into almost ANYTHING seem like they're crazy.