NYT review of: "Trust the Plan: The Rise of QAnon and the Conspiracy That Unhinged America"

[frauenfelder]

Originally published at: NYT review of: "Trust the Plan: The Rise of QAnon and the Conspiracy That Unhinged America" | Boing Boing

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[generic_name]

@frauenfelder

These leaders are taking dangerous advantage, and they know it, of marginalized and disrespected people, many with debts or serious health issues, and promising them redemption in a coming “storm,” led by the messianic figure of Donald Trump, that will wipe away institutions and thus their problems

This is maybe the best distillation I’ve seen of the issue, it’s taking a religious idea that millenarian sects use and turning it into a political motivator, and the “scripture” they’re citing is opaque internet “clues” written concurrently, which can be interpreted any way you want to get the outcome you most desire.

[chicagobee]

@frauenfelder

It describes those moments when family members realize that Dad has leaped the hedge of rationality — that he isn’t kidding when he talks about Trump and conspiracies and experimental vaccines and the impending storm, and he wants you to believe his ideas too.

I guess I don’t have to read it. I’ve lived it.

[KathyPartdeux]

And the Times knows about conspiracy cultists. Just look at their coverage of transgender people.

[smulder]

@frauenfelder

redemption in a coming “storm,”

… and, of course, the whole “The Storm” thing comes from a toy commercial

Trumpy Bear Official Commercial

 
EDIT: as @hand2mouse points out it’s originally from genghis khan though i bet it passed through this ad on it’s way to trump’s brain

[hand2mouse]

"“Fate whispers to the warrior, ‘You cannot withstand the storm.’ The warrior whispers back, ‘I am the storm.'”

I’ve been seeing catalogs selling pillows, bracelets, etc with this quote. Is it related? I don’t know anyone spouting q memes (maybe because I live in Portland).

Irrelevant backstory: I still get mail order catalogs for junk like this, because I enjoy flipping through them when I need a few mindless minutes and I don’t want blue light (i.e. bedtime). I buy something once every 3 to 5 years, and this intermittent reinforcement keeps them coming. I really should go on the “no” list to better help the planet. I manage to avoid buying sequined ball caps (even though I’m a woman of a certain age).

[mallyboon]

I am surprised the NYT didn’t say “it’s alright, but wasn’t very balanced”