Special: Conspiracy Theories and Cults part 1
Added 2020-09-22 13:03:43 +0000 UTChttps://blasphemoustomes.com/2020/09/22/special-conspiracy-theories-and-cults-part-1/
In our recent episodes about cults, we mentioned how social media has blurred the line between cults and conspiracy theories. Phenomena like QAnon display many cult-like attributes but lack formal leadership. We thought it would be interesting to dig into this a little more.
As none of us knows much about modern conspiracy theories, we turned to our good friend Bence Szlamka for help. Those of you on our Discord server will know Bence as TRNSHMN, one of the moderators there. While Bence is clear that he is not a scholar, he has spent a great deal of time studying conspiracy theories. Scott talked to Bence for a couple of hours, delving into the darker corners of QAnon, the anti-vaccination movement, flat-Earthers, and other cult-like conspiracy theories.
While we tried to keep the tone relatively light, some of these conspiracy theories revolve around unpleasant ideas. QAnon, especially, embraces various beliefs about the abuse, trafficking and sacrifice of children. We avoid going into too much detail, but be warned that we at least touch upon these subjects. In the end, however, this is an RPG podcast, and our focus is to find inspiration for our games.
This turned into quite a long discussion, so we have split it into two episodes. Join us in a fortnight for the conclusion, when Bence and Scott talk about some even stranger contemporary conspiracy theories.
Links
Things we mention in this episode include:
- Knowledge Fight podcast
- Alex Jones
- QAnon
- Bill Cooper
- The Satanic Panic
- The Shaver Mystery
- Theosophy
- The Protocols of the Elders of Zion
- David Icke
- 4chan
- Q clearance
- 8chan
- Sovereign citizens
- Moloch
- Witch panic
- Changelings in fairy folklore
- Blood libel
- Adrenochrome
- QAnon Anonymous podcast
- Sealed indictments
- PACER
- 2018 Horizon Air Q400 incident
- Apophenia
- Jim Watkins
- Sound of My Voice
- Project Looking Glass
- John Titor
- Art Bell
- Incels
- GamerGate
- Alt-right
- Love bombing
- Michael Flynn
- Michael Flynn’s QAnon influenced oath of duty
Comments
Glad to hear you're enjoying it. More to follow!
The Good Friends of Jackson Elias
2020-09-28 12:32:44 +0000 UTCI enjoyed this conversation thank you, and I'm looking forward to Part 2. Please continue to foray into literature, cinema and current affairs; I'd listen to you guys talk about pretty much anything !
John Hagan
2020-09-28 12:19:36 +0000 UTCThanks for the feedback Rick, glad you enjoyed it! - Paul
The Good Friends of Jackson Elias
2020-09-24 17:18:53 +0000 UTCI found this episode a very interesting listen. Despite dealing with 'real world' beliefs, it didn't stray too far into the darkness. Some of the concepts could easily be adapted for a modern CoC or Delta Green game. The machinations of the Great Old Ones don't have to make sense, so Q could just be filtering their activities through his own political viewpoint. Basing cults or conspiracies around ones in the real world, if done sensitively, can add a layer of realism to a game. And what Keeper could ever come up with anything as whacko as some of the ideas being peddled at the moment? I look forward to part two.
Rick Payne
2020-09-24 16:56:20 +0000 UTCThanks for letting me know Steve - think I've fixed it now - Paul
The Good Friends of Jackson Elias
2020-09-22 16:01:51 +0000 UTCI can't play this from Patreon. It doesn't appear to have any duration.
Steve
2020-09-22 15:55:16 +0000 UTCFair enough Andreas, I can understand that. Paul here by the way - I wasn't part of this episode, and I was interested to note that Bence (the interviewee) goes to some length at the start of the show to make that very same point. That he got into listening to a lot of content related to this topic, and it got him down. With that in mind, he and Scott express an intention to try to keep the episode away from the darker sides of the topic. Please don't read that as me trying to change your mind - I'm not trying to do that - just pointing it out.
The Good Friends of Jackson Elias
2020-09-22 15:49:27 +0000 UTCI think I'll give this one a pass. This covers to many seriously depressing subjects. It's interesting how horror fiction never gets me down like that...
Andreas Davour
2020-09-22 13:46:52 +0000 UTC
