Episode Synopsis
QAnon is weird and yet wildly popular. The conspiracy theory is based on the notion that prominent people in Hollywood and the Democratic party are torturing children to obtain something called adrenochrome from their blood. It’s gathered a massive cult-like following and has generated hundreds of millions of shares and likes on social media.
Are people getting dumber? That’s very unlikely – but the tools of mass manipulation are becoming a lot more sophisticated. Experts say QAnon draws people in by appealing to an innate love of solutions we discover ourselves, and a tendency to favor explanations that connect the dots.
“Follow the Science” is produced, written, and hosted by Faye Flam, with funding by the Society for Professional Journalists. Today’s episode was edited by Seth Gliksman with music by Kyle Imperatore. If you’d like to hear more “Follow the Science,” please like, follow, and subscribe!
