Former NBA player Royce White became an outspoken proponent of defunding the police following the assassination of George Floyd in May 2020. In the months that followed, he participated in numerous protests and marches in Minnesota, which were denounced by conservative politicians and commentators.
In the 2024 U.S. Senate election in Minnesota, White accepted the Minnesota GOP’s endorsement four years later.
White had appeared on the program of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones in the interim, during which he denounced the “establishment” and “corporatocracy.” In his appearance on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the prevalence of “mouthy” women. In other contexts, he criticized the LGBTQ+ movement as “Luciferian” and characterized Israel as the forerunner of a “new world order.”
White’s transformation from an NBA player who supported progressive causes to an adherent of Jones is more prevalent than one might anticipate.
Conspiracy theories may be linked to specific demographics or political beliefs by a significant number of individuals. However, the reality is far more complex, as recent research has revealed that conspiracists exhibit a significantly greater degree of diversity than scholars had previously believed.
Your closest friend, who is a fan of the band Phish and participates in CrossFit three times a week, is just as likely to hold conspiracy theories as your MAGA-hat-wearing uncle.
Margin entry
I have been engrossed in the domains of conspiracy theorists for the past four and a half years.
In an effort to comprehend the QAnon conspiracy movement, the investigation rapidly evolved into an examination of a diverse array of alternative belief systems.
These include, but are not limited to, discredited intellectuals who advocate for race science; butthole sunners who are of the opinion that they can extend their lifespan by exploiting the sun’s beams; and semen retention enthusiasts, who discourage ejaculation as a method of increasing testosterone levels.
The majority of researchers have interpreted conspiracy theories and alternative beliefs as the result of inadequate education or the dissemination of misinformation on social media. However, current study shows that they are supported regardless of money or education. Sports aficionados, yogis, and video game enthusiasts, as well as some of the most privileged members of U.S. society, maintain profound conspiratorial convictions.
Although some argue that the mere belief in Bigfoot or UFOs is not a significant issue, these concepts can result in tangible consequences. For instance, cancer has been associated with butthole tanning.
By comprehending the gradual convergence and evolution of conspiracy theories and alternative belief systems, it is possible to observe how individuals, regardless of their political beliefs, can be ensnared by them.
Forbidden knowledge
The space is shared by a variety of conspiracy theories, pseudoscience, and discredited beliefs, including the idea that the Earth is flat.
They are a component of a collective refuse bin of discarded ideas, a phenomenon that political scientist Michale Barkun refers to as “stigmatized knowledge.” They frequently only emerge on the periphery of society due to their discreditation by conventional institutions.
Politicians and media influencers may employ specific stigmatized narratives as instruments to generate revenue and consolidate their authority.
For instance, Derek Berry, Matthew Remski, and Julien Walker’s book “Conspirituality: How New Age Conspiracy Theories Became a Health Threat” examines the manner in which social media influencers have exploited contemporary New Age spiritualism to disseminate vaccine misinformation and incite government distrust.
Individuals who generate the most captivating content are granted financial incentives by social media platforms. Naturally, what is captivating is not necessarily what is accurate or forthright. Many of these influencers gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic by asserting that they possessed “sacred” or “secret” knowledge regarding how to defeat the virus.
It is one method by which individuals can transition from accepting seemingly harmless concepts, such as Bigfoot, to adopting more radical beliefs, such as the Great Replacement Theory. This conspiracy theory posits that illegal immigrants are collaborating with Democrats to alter the racial demographics of the United States and, in doing so, influence future elections.
The intersection of politics and alternative beliefs is not a recent development.
Some of these beliefs, such as the imaginary continent of Atlantis, were employed by the Nazi party to establish a connection to a mythical pure race. The Nazi’s ascent to power was significantly influenced by the propagation of concepts that are now referred to as New Age mysticism. This spiritual movement is characterized by the belief that spiritual forces are interconnected with all aspects of the universe and that magical experiences are possible.
The intricacy of conspiracists
Although there is some validity to the assertion that white Christian nationalists are the group most susceptible to conspiracies, it is crucial to recognize that there are others who harbor conspiratorial beliefs.
The anti-vaccine movement first garnered notoriety among wealthy liberals, but it is now a pet issue for many on the right. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a current presidential candidate, is one of the most prominent advocates for the movement.
Another prominent illustration of this juxtaposition is Jacob Chansley, who is also referred to as the “QAnon Shaman.” He was present at the U.S. Capitol’s assault on January 6, 2021, and has been observed protesting for both right- and left-wing causes.
According to a 2021 survey conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute, 23% of Republicans are of the opinion that “a group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles controls the government, media, and financial sectors in the United States.”
Although the figure may appear to be substantial, it is likely not that unexpected. It is a fundamental principle of the conspiracy theory QAnon, which is advocated by the right-wing. The survey’s other findings, however, were somewhat surprising to me. Specifically, 8% of self-identified Democrats and 14% of independents concurred with that assertion.
What is the next step?
Although they may appear to be unrelated at first, conspiracy theories like QAnon and alternative wellness practices like imbibing urine share common themes. Specifically, they are united by their aversion to conventional institutions. They yearn for alternative belief systems that bolster their current convictions and disregard contradictory evidence.
It is beneficial to be critical of those in positions of authority; however, there are instances in which it is logical to place trust in leadership, such as when listening to firefighters evacuate a building or public health officials during a global pandemic.
In all candor, the percentage of Americans who subscribe to conspiracy theories does not appear to be increasing. Simultaneously, conspiracies served as a fundamental motivator for numerous Jan 6 demonstrators who endeavored to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power.
Conspiracy-laden narratives not only burden relationships with fellow citizens but also undermine societal institutions, as the contributors to my forthcoming edited essay collection argue. They instruct individuals to be wary of trusted sources of information and of one another.
There is no indication that this is a positive development for liberal democracy.
