I recently got reaquainted with someone I knew back in the day. It's disheartening really. He was always quite intelligent, but it looks like he never got past the "party" stage of life. It looks like he fettered away his talents on marijuana.

Anyway, I could get past all that. It's his business how he runs his life. Problem is, he's a huge conspiracy theorist. It's what he lives and breathes. Some of it has led to positive things. He learned to make a diesel run on used cooking oil, invests in precious metals, and doesn't live in debt. On the other hand, all he likes to talk about are tyranny and the new world order. There's just not much in common anymore. Mind you, I'm not naive. I don't believe a lot of what goes on in the government is based on what's best for the common man, but neither do I believe it's a huge organized conspiracy to take over the world. Most things can be traced to human nature and various people and groups protecting their interests.

I just find it hard to talk a lot with him. Years ago, my brother was all about black helicopters too, but he eventually got over it. I don't want to insult him, but I feel like I'm being recruited sometimes. Anyone lose a friend or family member to conspiracy mania?