>seems to be a broad generalization trying to say we should at least consider any nutjob theory to be legitimate. Lizard people? Flat earth? GTFO!

This issue is something that seems odd to me. Why are blatantly ridiculous theories lumped in with things that have some possibility of truth under one big 'conspiracy theory' label? Things like flat earth and lizard people are so obviously ridiculous yet the media seems to treat theories like that the same as theories that question government or corporate motives or other such things as equivalent.