I think I've seen persons like that in every ideological 
    camp I've encountered

I'm not the parent poster but yeah, I think the concept of being "in the know" in relation to others is definitely a concept that appeals to nearly everybody.

I mean, who doesn't enjoy that to an extent? Even if it's something innocuous like being "the person within your friends group who knows where all the cool bars in town are."

The allure of being "in the know is certainly not unique to conspiracy theorists, but I think it clearly is a major part of the appeal.