Why are media outlets relying on tech reporters to cover QAnon? What they’re describing is the rise of cults & conspiracy theorists. Reporters steeped in history, comparative religion, or sociology should cover Q, not someone who got their start covering iPhone product launches.
Conspiracy, paranoia & moral panic are a running theme in US history, not some novel manifestation of social media & the internet.

Witch trials, anti-masonites, Black Peril, Know-Nothings, McCarthyism/Birchers, Satanic Panic, crack babies, super predators. We’re steeped in it.
When we diagnose Q thru the lens of social media & the internet, politicians will look to those issue areas for answers & solutions.

But that’s completely ahistorical. The problem goes much deeper & broader than the internet & we need much more fundamental reforms to address it.
(At the end of the day, this is an editorial decision — it’s not about reporters. “The internet is radicalizing our politics & Twitter/Parler/8 Chan/WhatApp is to blame” is great clickbait. Hard to resist.)
You can follow @LeoniaBatlan.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled:
Those who think consciousness raising & movement building are disconnected, or even a distraction from electoral politics have not paid attention to the history of social change.In this thread, we
Read more
The 2020s will be known as the Remote Work decadeA few predictions of what is likely to emerge[ a thread ] Third Space: Office and Working from Home will
Read more
1/29: Have you ever had a concept explained to you that helps frame complex issues you’ve been wrestling with and opens your eyes to new possibilities? A concept that I
Read more
By continuing to use the site, you are consenting to the use of cookies as explained in our Cookie Policy to improve your experience.