Why it’s time we change how we talk about conspiracy theories

CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan, who interviews people with crazy beliefs, reflects on some of his own.

“How can you talk to those crazy people?” I get asked that question a lot. Over the last few years, I’ve spoken to hundreds — possibly thousands — of Americans whose lives have become consumed by conspiracy theories. It’s easy, perhaps natural, for us to want to label them all as “crazy.” But it’s not true. The overwhelming majority of people I have spoken to are highly productive members of society. They are moms, dads, business owners — they’re your next-door neighbor, your son, your daughter.