1/ This users post is a terrifyingly good example of someone who has truly radicalized into QAnon. lets take a quick look at the signs of what he describes as "growing spiritually" and detaching from mainstream society.
2/ First, the description of his radicalization process is very similar to a religious conversion in this case. From his post it is not only about being pilled as he's "been awake for 10 years". QAnon has given him a new religious experience in a way.
3/ Some key signs of what he is describing might be something you'd notice if someone you know if going a little too far down the rabbit hole. No longer interested in topics that they were passionate about. In this case the user is no longer into college football as he was before
4/ pulling out from mainstream social media use, this might be more difficult to notice as some ppl ebb and flow in the social media use. But in this case this person may appear to be online a lot but evidence of that would not be found on mainstream social media.
5/ This user claims to no longer be interested in ex, but we could break that down as no longer being interested in physical or intimate relationships. This break from emotional and physical bonds presents a type of emotional detachment that may be indicative of radicalization.
6/ Though this may be a trend found in multiple types of risky behaviors. in this instant the individual claims that his lack of interest is resultant from his belief in Q and how he now perceives the world. The change in world view is what may indicate radicalization
7/ The final point is how the user feels like a different person before he found Q, which may imply that Q has become his entire world.
8/ Now this person describes living in an affluent environment, and appears to have been educated based on his responses to posts. However, he has reshaped his socio-economic circumstances to fit the QAnon world view.
9/ One of the complaints he has is he can't talk to anyone because they believe he's insane. What is important in this is opening channels of communication maybe be a PVE angle that could be exploited
10/ The Christian angle is not unique in this case, though it does beg the question that for some this fall into a form of religious experience. This may indicate that in some cases, the presence of absence of religion in QAnon belief may signify the need for different approaches
11/ Now I used, may, possible, likely in all of these posts for a reason. Radicalization is a unique process to each individuals and should not be spoken of in absolute terms. especially with something as amorphous a QAnon.
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1/ Been playing catch up on my reading, both of primary material and books on extremist, conspiracy theories and religion. First 4 months of the year were quite productive, though not as productive as I hoped (thanks concussion).
2/ for academics researching the far right and writing a master and PhD thesis Researching The Far Right is a must. Provides research methods, literature base and key authors to dig in further from various relevant fields. routledge.com/Researching-th…
3/ @KurtBraddock book Weaponized words was a grata read, especially for those looking at narrative analysis. There is a fair amount of information for practitioners looking to do P/CVE work involving narratives. I reccomend.4 cambridge.org/core/books/wea…
With Lin Wood causing chaos with the South Carolina GOP it's important to remember that he is openly a QAnon believer and an important neo-QAnon influencer. Unlike established d'influences in QAnon wood has pushed the narrative forward creating new conspriscies for adherents.
His telegram channel has 835,000 followers, it is the largest QAnon channel, followed by Sidney Powell with her 500,000 followers. The channel administered by 38 OG QAnon influencers has only 210,000. Wood has more followers on telegram than all the QAnon groups on Gab.
Woods influence comes from 3 vectors: 1) his proximity to the Former president, 2) his position of power and influence as a lawyer and 3) he hasn't told QAnon followers to stand by and wait, but provided new avenues of investigation and conspiracy, this providing participation
1/ My colleagues @Blyth_Crawford@FlorenceKeen and @hannah1_rose and I have been working on this massive report for weeks to provide insight into the state of domestics violent extremism after the first 100 days of the Biden administration. Here is what we found:
2/ We applied a mixed methods approach, leveraging data scientific methods and digital ethonography, in an effort to better understand MAGA-related groups, movements, and narratives both prior to and after Biden’s inauguration.
3/ It examines the various groups and movements that gained momentum under the administration, the key discourses and motivations of those that were a part of the 6 January insurrection, and how these have evolved.
2/ The most prominent careers built upon a QAnon foundation are those of Congresswomen Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert who endorsed QAnon during their bids for Congress.
3/ As @travis_view has covered extensively Majorie Taylor Greene's adherence to QAnon dates back to the it's inception in 2017, long predating her political career.
2/ As @AlKapDC extensively covered in his monitoring of QAnon candidates, 38% of QAnon candidates were women. 42% of these made it on the ballot. What this means is that out of the record 94 women who ran for congress 14% espoused some belief in QAnon
3/ These statistics are very important as @Blyth_Crawford and I highlight women are not only underrepresented in politics, but their role in extremists movements is still perceived through a gender biased lens.
1/ First lets take a look at the QAnon community. There are 6 themes that I found common throughout the communities (there are more obviously)
2/ Same in the movement still push the narrative that this is all part of the plan and will lead to the revelation of some great corruption or some great plot. Though this type of hopium was in the minority as opposed to past QAnon narratives
3/ a fair amount pushed the narrative that this was a DS plot and may even count as a victory for them; however, patriots and anons are wise to their plan and will not fall for theirs deception.