Thread by @SimonCopland

We often think about conspiracy theories as being the purview of the far-right (i.e. QAnon). COVID-19 however has shown that elements of the left can be just as good at it.

Here are a bunch of receipts from Aus, and some thoughts on implications of this. Thread. #covid19aus

Conspiracy theories succeed through tapping into, often healthy, distrust of institutions, and turning that toward a belief in a shadowy plot of elites working against the general populace.

These plots are always impossible to disprove, making response really difficult. In fact a lack of evidence is often spoken about as evidence of the plot itself, as it suggests a mass cover up by those undertaking the conspiracy.

Conspiracy theories are also often hyper partisan. They create a bogeyman - an evil doer who has inherently evil intentions. Those engaging in the conspiracy theory are then framed as the just warriors of truth - the only ones willing to speak out against the grave injustice.

The left COVID conspiracy theories in Australia align to these traits. Pushed by often high-profile Labor or anti-Coalition partisans they have particularly targeted the response from the NSW Gov to the pandemic. The main claim has been that they have hidden COVID numbers.

This started early last year from high profile partisans like Vic Rollison, who, in the midst of the Victorian outbreak suggested that NSW's low numbers simply couldn't be true. How could NSW be handling an outbreak, when Vic couldn't?

This tweet follows a trend in conspriacy theories which suggests that something dodgy must be happening, even if what is not pointed to directly. MFWitches did something similar in a (recently deleted) tweet.

The former diplomat and political commentator Bruce Haigh has done similar. Like so many conspiracy theories, he is just 'asking questions'. What's wrong with questions?

Conspiracy theorists however have been more explicit than this as well. At one point MFWitches specifically stated that they believed the NSW Gov was hiding numbers.

Note, they specifically say there is no evidence for this. But they don't need evidence to spread disinformation.

Sometimes all of this is just based on a really bad understanding of the science and maths (like so many other conspiracy theories).

As I said, like most conspiracy theories, this is based in generic 'mistrust'. The mistrust is not based in histories of injustice (like genuine mistrust of the state say from PoC) but is often entirely partisan nature. I don't trust what is happening because of who is in charge.

I'll note here that I am not saying we should have blind faith in Governments and the state. There is a lot of things I don't trust them about. But I much rather direct my mistrust to the problems that are actually proven (there are so many) rather than completely made up ones.

Of course, the so called conspiracy also comes with a cover-up. In this case a belief that the NSW Gov has changed the way they report numbers to lessen them.

My favourite part of this tweet is the reference to Twitterati. Conspiracy theorists work hard to create their own 'knowledge' (do your own research they say!). In this case the mainstream media can't be trusted, so the research comes from others on Twitter.

Another example of this, with 'digital and entrepreneurial futurist' Craig Thomler claiming that the NSW Government somehow 'positively manages' the numbers (whatever the hell that means).

PR Guy also ran this rubbish, suggesting a major plot from the NSW Government to silence health practitioners to stop it getting out how bad it is. This was around strain on the health system. Again, he's just asking questions!

Disappointingly this was based on a Guardian article that stirred controversy over a social media policy in NSW Health. This sort of policy is common in Government. But the article made it look like a cover-up, taking a standard policy and turning it into a conspiracy.

One of the things I love is when they insist that they aren't conspiracy theorists, trying to desperately distance themselves from the likes of QAnon. But then go ahead to spout conspiracy ideas based in no actual facts.

Finally, the sometimes most entertaining, but also most dangerous part of the conspiracy theory, when people theorise about the evil plot by the Government. Apparently vaccines in NSW were rushed into Liberal held seats before Labor seats to allow more Labor voters to die.

This same thread suggests the NSW and Federal Government was denying other states access to vaccines entirely for partisan reasons. They'd let people die so boost their own political agenda. It's actually out of this world.

Sadly it was shared by a number of high-profile figures, including the (previous?) darling of the left and Greens candidate Julian Burnside.

https://twitter.com/JulianBurnside/status/1431822682547392512

Why does this all matter? Because conspiracy theories can be dangerous. This has been a campaign of disinformation. It not only breeds distrust in NSW Health, but also foments a type of thinking and argument that relies on partisan speculation more than actual critical thinking.

It also shows conspiracy theories are not just the purview of the right. If we want to take them seriously we need to look in many ways at the left just as much as the right. It's extraordinarily frustrating that this comes from people who would then call QAnon people idiots.

Anyway, here are the receipts. We have a real problem in the Australia left. COVID-19 and hyperpartisanship is rotting the debate. It's depressing.