1. A little over 4 years ago, I started work on Black 13, an espionage thriller set against the backdrop of far right radicalism, which publishes in paperback today. Some of the book is inspired by real life experiences I had while researching it. https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/adam-hamdy/black-13/9781509899203

2. The author’s note reveals some of those experiences. It also talks about the worrying rise in radical groups, people whose distrust of others is so profound they’re prepared to resort to extreme measures to get what they want.

3. We’re seeing the consequences of radicalisation played out in Washington. We’re also seeing it here in groups that send scientists and medics death threats. Scientists and medics who are trying to save lives.

4. I’ve spent a long time researching radicalisation - be it cults, Islamic extremists or far right - and I’ve come to the conclusion humans are an impressionable species. I guess Coca-Cola wouldn’t spend so much on advertising if we weren’t.

5. Right now, there are people who believe the governments of the world faked a pandemic to impose a new world order that may or may not involve Bill Gates and microchips. And Hillary Clinton. And George Soros.

6. Somehow millions of scientists, healthcare workers & grieving families have been brainwashed into taking part in this global ruse. But the ‘powers that be’ who orchestrated this incredible conspiracy left just enough clues for tin foil hat basement dwellers to crack the case.

7. Don’t feel bad if you’ve fallen under the influence of a conspiracy theorist. It can happen to anyone. They thrive on disaffection, and people who are trying to make sense of difficult problems. And right now, the conditions are perfect.

8. We face huge challenges: dealing with misinformation in a digital age; addressing the social and economic issues that cause disaffection; and understanding how to de-radicalise swathes of the population taken in by extremists.

9. When I wrote Black 13, I was concerned it would become less relevant. Unfortunately it’s more relevant than ever, and this (largely online) radicalisation is sucking in more and more people.

10. @mariannaspring does a fantastic job covering disinformation and radicalisation. Recommend following if you have an interest in the subject. https://twitter.com/mariannaspring/status/1346962863743770626

11. And if you haven’t already seen it, here’s my thread on cats. It’s not really about cats, it’s about conspiracy theories, but social media algorithms prefer stuff about cats (they don’t really, that’s some misinformation). https://twitter.com/adamhamdy/status/1302589270113300481