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It’s no secret that conspiracies are running wild because of the pandemic. One of the biggest things we’re seeing is a truly American conspiracy gaining traction internationally.
Here’s an in-depth read on QAnon’s spread across the world. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/pkym3k/qanon-conspiracy-has-gone-global
Here’s an in-depth read on QAnon’s spread across the world. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/pkym3k/qanon-conspiracy-has-gone-global
. @_MAArgentino told me since March he’s seen a massive rise in FB groups/activities (651% !) and Twitter activity (pre-crackdown). A good portion of the new groups were international. Other research has shown similar things. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/pkym3k/qanon-conspiracy-has-gone-global
I spoke to one the main Canadian Q-organizers and he told me he’s seen a huge jump in new members since the pandemic. In Finland, two weeks ago, 50 people met up for a weekend Q-festival. We’re seeing Q followers pop up in France, Germany, and all over. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/pkym3k/qanon-conspiracy-has-gone-global
The group has been translating propaganda, which include popular documentaries, to disseminate to non-English speaking regions. We’re seeing the Quebec QAnon group work with the France groups and the Germans with the Austrians, etc. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/pkym3k/qanon-conspiracy-has-gone-global
There are a couple reasons for this: it’s a terrifying time and what some people need more than anything right now is community and a way to make sense of the chaos. One answer to that is QAnon. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/pkym3k/qanon-conspiracy-has-gone-global
While QAnon is of course SUPER American-focused, the broad strokes of the movement can more or less be applied everywhere. And as long as you believe at least one of the many tendrils of QAnon, the group is extremely welcoming. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/pkym3k/qanon-conspiracy-has-gone-global
Q growth isn't benign. Believers have been connected to murders, police standoffs, kidnapping conspiracies, arsons... the list goes on. In a memo from last year the FBI stated that fringe conspiracy theorists were a “domestic terrorist threat.” https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/pkym3k/qanon-conspiracy-has-gone-global
While it's obviously a predominately American conspiracy it's one that's growing quickly internationally as well. We should take note of that.
Big thanks to @_MAArgentino, @travis_view, @rothschildmd, and the Q believers (who were very helpful) for talking to me for this piece.
Big thanks to @_MAArgentino, @travis_view, @rothschildmd, and the Q believers (who were very helpful) for talking to me for this piece.
