What are the historical origins and tactics behind the term "conspiracy theory" and how have intelligence agencies like the CIA used psychological operations to influence public discourse?

The term "conspiracy theory" has been strategically weaponized by intelligence agencies, particularly the CIA, to discredit legitimate questioning of government narratives. Historical documents reveal that agencies developed sophisticated psychological operations, including the "Art of Simple Sabotage" manual, which outlined tactics to disrupt and manipulate public perception through seemingly reasonable discourse. These tactics include advocating for excessive caution, urging "reasonableness," and discouraging hasty decisions that might expose uncomfortable truths. The irony lies in how methods once attributed to Soviet psychological warfare were actually being employed by American intelligence agencies to control domestic narratives and maintain institutional credibility while undermining critical thinking in public discourse.