The rapid spread in the belief in bizarre conspiracy theories is mostly a phenomenon of the internet. Individuals who do not understand the world around them, or have difficulty in understanding the nature of the world around them, look to alternatives to the understood world. This gives them a perceived upper hand over those who understand reality as it is understood through centuries of accepted knowledge. Believing in a conspiracy theory allows one to get the rush of being controversial on top of the feeling of superiority to the status quo.
The internet essentially provides the means to introduce and reinforce of all manner of bizarre ideas. Who better to prove a crazy idea than an anonymous online persona, who seems to have the same kind of authority as any other online persona. Ideas are on a level playing field. This phenomenon has changed the world, and now conspiracy theory peddlers on the internet have risen to become influential figures on the world stage, helping to elect a believer of conspiracy theories as President of the US.
The solution to this growing problem isn't going to be easy. Conspiracy theorists should not be given a forum to be debated alongside legitimate science and knowledge. The internet has shown that there is no exposing a crazy idea through debate- it only gains exposure to those who are looking for an intellectual retreat. It's a net positive for ignorance and anti-science.
It's like quicksand- the more you struggle against it, the deeper you sink. Debating crazy conspiracy nuts is like intentionally walking into the quicksand thinking you can just walk through it, proving the inadequacy of the quicksand.