Trust the Plan: The Rise of QAnon and the Conspiracy That Unhinged America in The Majority Report Podcast Goodreads Group

Jul 11, 2023 Erin rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2023-nonfiction, politics, true-crime, july-2023

On Sunday I listened to a podcast about Social Media misinformation called Offline its from Crooked Media and the author of this book was was interviewed. Later on that same day I watched a video on YouTube from The Daily Show called Fingers the Conspiracy its hosted by Jordan Klepper about the rise of QAnon and once again this author was interviewed. So I obviously felt that the universe wanted me to read this so on Monday I went and picked it up. I basically read it in one day and I couldn't p On Sunday I listened to a podcast about Social Media misinformation called Offline its from Crooked Media and the author of this book was was interviewed. Later on that same day I watched a video on YouTube from The Daily Show called Fingers the Conspiracy its hosted by Jordan Klepper about the rise of QAnon and once again this author was interviewed. So I obviously felt that the universe wanted me to read this so on Monday I went and picked it up. I basically read it in one day and I couldn't put it down.

QAnon is a conspiracy theory that states that Democrats, Hollywood elites, and other powerful people are kidnapping children sexual assaulting them, torturing them and killing them to obtain their adrenochrome to stay young. This is obviously crazy and yet a staggering number of people believe it. QAnon also believes that Donald Trump is the only person who can stop these evil elites. It started out the Right wing message board 4chan when a mysterious person going only by the Q started saying that "The storm was coming" meaning Hillary Clinton would soon be arrested...this was back in 2017...spoiler alert Hillary Clinton has still not been arrested.

Trust The Plan investigates the origins of Q, who Q might be and how exactly it got so influential...another spoiler alert...it was Facebook, YouTube and Twitter's fault, along with the feckless Republican party. It maybe funny to listen to the completely unhinged rantings on Q followers but we really should take them seriously. In multiple states they have taken over the Republican party and although they may not call themselves QAnon, the people behind the national book bans are all getting their talking points from QAnon. The hell the Trans and Drag communities are going through with the groomer accusations are all out of the playbook.

As someone who is fascinated by cults, I find it interesting that seemingly normal and intelligent people have fallen into the Q trap. I'm not concerned about myself but my sister does worry me. She believes in "Ancient Aliens" and I fear that her gullible nature will lead her down the Q street. I do my best to try to explain rational reasons for why some things on the internet are crazy. So far so good but I still worry. I like alot of people was first introduced to QAnon during the early days of Covid, luckily I just found it stupid and funny but from reading this book I learned that many more people fell for it hook line and sinker.

As I stated before I'm very interested in cults and I'm hoping to read more about some of the biggies The Branch Davidians, Manson, and Jonestown in the near future. And possibly some more QAnon since despite the fact most people don't want to be call QAnon they are still spreading the message and they aren't going anywhere.

A must read for anyone who is interested in cults and politics. ...more

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Aug 30, 2023 Grant rated it it was amazing

What's most importantly recognised by Sommer is that the rise of unhinged conspiracies tends to go hand in hand with economic instability, poor healthcare and education. This is one of the rarer books that also explains just how hard it is to unwind someone from false beliefs and that it takes time and understanding. ...more

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