QAnon is an unfounded and wide-ranging group of conspiracy theories and beliefs centered on a supposed secret cabal of Devil-worshipping Devil-worshiping, cannibalistic pedophiles who management the world by means of a worldwide baby sex-trafficking ring and are plotting in opposition to former U.S. President Donald Trump.
QAnon originated in 2017 on the net message board 4chan, the place an nameless poster recognized solely as “Q” started posting cryptic messages in regards to the supposed cabal. These messages, sometimes called “Q drops,” include a mixture of typically false or deceptive claims, antisemitic rhetoric, and baseless accusations in opposition to politicians, celebrities, and different public figures.
Over time, QAnon has developed right into a broader on-line motion, with followers spreading the theories on social media platforms, message boards, and even mainstream information retailers. As QAnon has gained traction, it has change into more and more linked to violence and extremism, together with the January 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol.
What’s QAnon
QAnon is a wide-ranging group of unfounded conspiracy theories centered on a supposed cabal of Devil-worshipping pedophiles who management the world.
- Originated on 4chan message board in 2017
- Unfold by means of social media and mainstream information retailers
- Linked to violence and extremism
- False and deceptive claims
- Antisemitic rhetoric
- Baseless accusations in opposition to public figures
- Promotes mistrust in authorities and media
- Has change into a worldwide phenomenon
- Problem to democracy and social cohesion
QAnon is a harmful and dangerous conspiracy idea that has no foundation in actuality. It is very important concentrate on QAnon and its potential risks, and to problem its claims each time they’re encountered.
Originated on 4chan message board in 2017
QAnon originated on the net message board 4chan in October 2017, when an nameless poster recognized solely as “Q” started posting cryptic messages a couple of supposed secret cabal of Devil-worshipping pedophiles who management the world. These messages, sometimes called “Q drops,” contained a mixture of typically false or deceptive claims, antisemitic rhetoric, and baseless accusations in opposition to politicians, celebrities, and different public figures.
Q’s posts rapidly gained traction on 4chan and different on-line platforms, and shortly a group of followers started to type. These followers, who grew to become often known as “QAnon believers” or just “QAnon,” started spreading the theories on social media, message boards, and even mainstream information retailers. As QAnon gained traction, it developed right into a broader on-line motion, with followers organizing rallies and occasions and even working for political workplace.
The origins of QAnon are nonetheless shrouded in thriller. Some consider that Q is a single particular person, whereas others consider that it’s a group of individuals working collectively. Q’s id has by no means been revealed, and it’s unclear what their motives are. Nevertheless, the theories that Q promotes have had a major affect on the political and social panorama, each in the US and all over the world.
QAnon is a harmful and dangerous conspiracy idea that has no foundation in actuality. It is very important concentrate on QAnon and its potential risks, and to problem its claims each time they’re encountered.
Lately, QAnon has change into more and more related to violence and extremism. QAnon believers have been linked to a number of violent incidents, together with the January 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol. QAnon’s promotion of mistrust in authorities and media has additionally contributed to an increase in political polarization and division.
Unfold by means of social media and mainstream information retailers
QAnon rapidly unfold from its origins on 4chan to different on-line platforms, together with social media and mainstream information retailers. This was due partially to the platform’s algorithms, that are designed to advertise content material that’s partaking and controversial. QAnon’s claims, which frequently contain sensational and outlandish allegations, have been significantly well-suited to one of these promotion.
- Social media: QAnon followers used social media platforms equivalent to Fb, Twitter, and YouTube to unfold their theories. They created teams and pages devoted to QAnon, and so they shared Q drops and different QAnon-related content material with their followers. Social media corporations initially did little to fight the unfold of QAnon content material, however they’ve since taken steps to take away QAnon teams and pages and to restrict the visibility of QAnon content material of their search outcomes.
Mainstream information retailers: Some mainstream information retailers additionally performed a job in spreading QAnon theories. Some information retailers reported on QAnon as a reputable political motion, whereas others gave QAnon followers a platform to share their views. This protection helped to legitimize QAnon within the eyes of some folks, and it additionally helped to unfold the theories to a wider viewers.
Celebrities and public figures: Some celebrities and public figures have additionally promoted QAnon theories, both deliberately or unintentionally. This has helped to unfold the theories to a wider viewers and to offer them an air of credibility.
Political polarization: QAnon has thrived in an atmosphere of political polarization and division. The theories’ promotion of mistrust in authorities and media has resonated with individuals who really feel disenfranchised and distrustful of conventional sources of data.
The unfold of QAnon by means of social media and mainstream information retailers has had a major affect on the political and social panorama. QAnon has change into a significant supply of misinformation and disinformation, and it has contributed to an increase in political polarization and division. QAnon has additionally been linked to violence and extremism, together with the January 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol.
