Conspiracy

Conspiracies have been a cultural mainstay for decades (Melley). While often framed as an American problem (Melley), social media has contributed to their global reach (Gerts et al.). Bruns, Harrington, and Hurcombe traced the contemporary movement of conspiracy theories into mainstream from fringe conspiracist groups on platforms such Facebook through greater uptake in more diverse communities substantial amplification by celebrities, sports stars, outlets. Consequently, that were once product subcultural increasingly mixed popular authoritative (Marwick Lewis) entertainment (Hyzen van den Bulck; Bulck Hyzen). Over past five years theories, whether they be anti-vaccination, politically motivated, or pop-cultural artefacts, found way discourse. Increasingly, regarded domain largely harmless eccentrics, are having real, material effects. These real-world harms evident across number domains life, storming US Capitol 6 January 2021 (Moskalenko McCauley) effects vaccine refusal resistance which continue stymie attempts control COVID-19 pandemic (Baker, Wade, Walsh). Digital spaces made accessible transmissible. persistent, resistant, pervasive. The illusion neat segmentation between sites theorising content generation vanished. However, our understanding what motivates those engaging with disseminating is still partial incomplete. there large corpus psychological research conspiracies, much this focused deficits logic, reasoning, and/or personality traits. focus ‘deficits’ draw also reflected discourse, where believing described within variety synonyms word ‘stupid’ (Chu, Yuan, Liu). In issue, we approach topic different standpoint, exploring sociological conditions enable conspiracies flourish. We assembled articles, both empirical conceptual, complex picture emerges. To begin examining life feature article Brownwyn Fredericks, Abraham Bradfield, Sue McAvoy, James Ward, Shea Spierings, Troy Combo, Agnes Toth-Peter cuts frame very real world example consequences conspiracy. They examine specific contexts ecologies flourished some (not all) Indigenous Australia. Their analysis highlights detrimental impacts unresolved elements settler colonialism propagate thinking these communities. Through conducted stakeholder participants health sector (both non-Indigenous) outline series recommendations how can constructively address demonstrated impact circulating misinformation upon reinforce need centralise voices expertise political life. Other articles issue explore theorise conspiracism, present examples conspiracism digital media, unpack methods conduct socially contentious space, highlight conspiracies. entangled environments world. Absence presence (of evidence) important theorising. contrast scholarship focusses spread conspiracy-style misinformation, Tyler Easterbrook’s examination dead links ‘link rot’ online demonstrates absence removal information powerful motivator rhetoric. work potential complexities moderation models emphasise conspiratorial content. its presence. Scott DeJong’s Alex Bustamante’s uses novel interrogate analogies frequently use when discussing online. designing own board system model might spread, speak growing body likens game systems. highlighted capacity creative problems. Echoing warning about power fuel theorising, simulating DeJong Bustamante “interplay spread” argue “removing band-aid solution larger problem”. With current attention focussed moderating ecologies, considerations relative success strategy. commentary so-called ‘cures’, Stephanie Alice Baker Alexia Maddox hydroxychloroquine ivermectin shifted COVID treatments objects embroiled during pandemic. interwoven nature landscape illustrating roles public figures influencers played amplifying discourse knowledge drugs. Importantly, Bustamante, Easterbrook, tackling not simple providing “accurate” facts counter false misleading information. that, paradoxically, process debunking included mockery derision “reinforces audience occurs ecology virtue alternative ridicule strengthening out group dynamics”. When succumbs ridicule, suggest critics may people’s commitment narratives influence networks. Tresa LeClerc’s explores increasing entanglement wellness right (or alt-right) focussing underlying themes white nationalism piece compellingly traces ideological underpinnings purity paleo diet already blend pseudoscience conspiracy, highlighting ways cultivated modes conducive alt-right Also delving intersections Marie Heřmanová conspirituality politicisation spiritual pandemic, focusing case prominent Czech lifestyle Instagrammer Helena Houdová who became outspoken anti-vaxxer denialist. rich study, examines blends her feminine aesthetic aspirational individualistic take spirituality messages informed QAnon messaging speaks national history trends. astutely observes rise reveals bridge gap everyday personal, collective QAnon. Continuing intersect embodied environments, ‘Coronaconspiracies’ Merlyna Lim role algorithms users play facilitating contends provides fertile environment flourish, while maintaining “social do absolute hegemony translating high visibility even virality beliefs them”. As explains, human retain agency online; it “choices” “preferences” algorithmic dynamics technologies. Extending relationship algorithms, labelling foregrounded Ahmed Al-Rawi, Carmen Celestini, Nicole Stewart, Nathan Worku. presents reverse-engineering Google’s autocomplete assigns subtitles widely known conspiracists. actors proprietary knowledge, blackboxes researchers wider public. This technical peek work, but raises concern labels reflect publicly actors. insight Google subtitling further contribute negative conspiracists, other toxic actors, have. Stijn Peeters Tom Willaert us fringes ecosystem Telegram. extrapolate Richard Rogers‘s edict ​​repurpose medium case-based structural forwarded identify weighing up results applying technique Dutch-speaking Telegram methodological gains ethical doing style data gathering raise. Moving away fringes, Naomi Smith Clare Southerton belly culture #FreeBritney raise proposition site pleasure. turn head assumption because deficient deviant point appeal pleasure chase threads leads could woven explanation, Drawing fan studies, new motivation lot learned explanatory why people engage special illustrates find expression media. There approaches phenomenon strategies technological intervention straightforwardly successful. contributions demonstrate, range perspectives, importance matter embrace them if consequences. References Baker, Alice, Matthew Michael Walsh. "The Challenges Responding Misinformation Pandemic: Content Moderation Limitations Concept Harm." Media International Australia 177 (2020): 103-07. Axel, Stephen Edward Hurcombe. “‘Corona? 5G? Or Both?’: Dynamics COVID-19/5G Conspiracy Theories Facebook." 12-29. Chu, Haoran, Shupei Sixiao Liu. "Call Them Covidiots: Exploring Effects Aggressive Communication Style Psychological Distance Covid-19." Public Understanding Science 30.3 (2021): 240-57. Gerts, Dax, al. “‘Thought I’d Share First’ Theory Tweets Covid-19 Infodemic: Exploratory Study." JMIR Health Surveill 7.4 e26527. Hyzen, Aaron, Hilde Bulck. "Conspiracies, Ideological Entrepreneurs, Popular Culture." 9 179–88. Marwick, Rebecca Lewis. "Media Manipulation Disinformation Online." New York: Data & Society Research Institute, 2017. 7-19. Melley, Timothy. Empire Conspiracy: Culture Paranoia Postwar America. Cornell University Press, 2016. Moskalenko, Sophia, Clark McCauley. "QAnon: Radical Opinion Versus Action." Perspectives Terrorism 15.2 142-46. Van Bulck, Hilde, Aaron Hyzen. "Of Lizards Entrepreneurs: Jones Infowars Relationship Populist Nationalism Post-Global Ecology." Gazette 82.1 42-59.