43 votes

We analyzed every QAnon post on Reddit. Here’s who QAnon supporters actually are.

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32 comments

  1. aphoenix
    Link
    Oh man, 338 of them are in r/wow (which I moderate). Things like this always give me the urge to purge, but I feel like that's just unfair practice. I wonder how many of them have caught unrelated...

    Oh man, 338 of them are in r/wow (which I moderate). Things like this always give me the urge to purge, but I feel like that's just unfair practice.

    I wonder how many of them have caught unrelated bans though. That would be an interesting thing to study; in the "fringe" subreddits, how many of those accounts have been banned. I think mods would have to work with Vox to make that happen though.

    11 votes
  2. [3]
    RapidEyeMovement
    Link
    Can I ask a simple question, how are these numbers any different then other social media site? Isn't the normal distribution for content creators to consumers?

    Can I ask a simple question, how are these numbers any different then other social media site? Isn't the normal distribution for content creators to consumers?

    6 votes
    1. MimicSquid
      Link Parent
      They do mention in the article that the breakdown of content creators to content consumers is normal; most of the interest is in the differing profiles of those groups as to where else they post.

      They do mention in the article that the breakdown of content creators to content consumers is normal; most of the interest is in the differing profiles of those groups as to where else they post.

      5 votes
    2. Tenar
      Link Parent
      yeah, it's kind of a pity that they say things like "oh they're interested in wow", for all we know the entirety of /r/wow is marxists, except the 200 dudes who post on the qanon sub. It would've...

      yeah, it's kind of a pity that they say things like "oh they're interested in wow", for all we know the entirety of /r/wow is marxists, except the 200 dudes who post on the qanon sub. It would've been more meaningful imo if there was some looking at how they are, proportionally.

      2 votes
  3. [4]
    Bear
    Link
    This election cycle has brought a lot more visibility to the crazies in American society, those who believe in things like conspiracy theories (take your pick), climate change deniers (in any...

    This election cycle has brought a lot more visibility to the crazies in American society, those who believe in things like conspiracy theories (take your pick), climate change deniers (in any capacity), hell even belief in religion has been linked to mental illness. Some would say that religion provides a sense of morals, a sense of purpose, to both, I say hogwash.

    There are more sources, but a good start on the bit that belief in religion is a mental illness is: https://www.indy100.com/article/robert-sapolsky-neuroscientist-thinks-religion-mental-illness-schizophrenia-7834981

    I swear, we need roving mental health teams to test and forcibly treat the public for all mental illnesses.

    Mental health has been neglected for so long that some now consider it to be a person's right to be sick and to refuse treatment.

    I don't buy that. These people need to be brought back into mainstream society. If they want to be a little kooky, that's fine, we have parameters for that (as a random example, people who enjoy renaissance fairs), but this outright wrong stuff that society has disproven? No way.

    6 votes
    1. [3]
      patience_limited
      Link Parent
      I'm not sure why the U.S. in particular has citizens so susceptible to these downward spirals of paranoia, but the classic Richard Hofstadter essay, "The Paranoid Style in American Politics", has...

      I'm not sure why the U.S. in particular has citizens so susceptible to these downward spirals of paranoia, but the classic Richard Hofstadter essay, "The Paranoid Style in American Politics", has some illuminating things to say.

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        Bear
        Link Parent
        Well, without reading the essay yet, I can guess one reason. Our political style, like a lot of our society, is very much "high stakes, winner takes all, hypercompetitive". That cannot be good for...

        Well, without reading the essay yet, I can guess one reason.

        Our political style, like a lot of our society, is very much "high stakes, winner takes all, hypercompetitive". That cannot be good for people's mental health over time. As a society, it's almost heresy for us to say "You know what? My opponent makes some great points, we're both right on some issues".

        2 votes
        1. patience_limited
          (edited )
          Link Parent
          It's not just an American problem, and the essay has some illustrative history of English-language conspiracy theories - everything from the Rosicrucians and Masons to the Bavarian Illuminati. To...

          It's not just an American problem, and the essay has some illustrative history of English-language conspiracy theories - everything from the Rosicrucians and Masons to the Bavarian Illuminati. To some extent, there's a continuing theme of anti-Enlightenment religious backlash, as well as the promulgation of convenient narratives to prop up ideologies that are in danger of failing on their own merits.

          There's a big issue when powerless people start looking for stories to explain their powerlessness. Enmeshing them in distracting tales that don't actually result in productive action is one of the tools that the actual "secret masters" use to ensure continued power.

  4. [10]
    doug3465
    Link
    I’m disappointed in the reputable news orgs that are giving these deranged people any publicity.

    I’m disappointed in the reputable news orgs that are giving these deranged people any publicity.

    4 votes
    1. [7]
      aphoenix
      Link Parent
      It's deranged, but it's also interesting. I think years of sweeping things under the rug has gotten us to the point that we're at now, and that being aware of the fact that a significant amount of...

      It's deranged, but it's also interesting. I think years of sweeping things under the rug has gotten us to the point that we're at now, and that being aware of the fact that a significant amount of the general public have such a mental incapacity is important.

      And I'm stating that prejudice and / or conspiracy theory junkyism is a mental issue. I think a lot of these people just need remedial education or something.

      13 votes
      1. [6]
        Bear
        Link Parent
        I agree, but the $64,000 question is - What do we do about it?

        being aware of the fact that a significant amount of the general public have such a mental incapacity is important.

        I agree, but the $64,000 question is - What do we do about it?

        1 vote
        1. [5]
          aphoenix
          Link Parent
          Pull up a chair, pop a beer, and watch the world burn? Honestly, I have no good ideas. I don't understand how humans have lasted as long as we have. So many of us just try to kill or hate each...

          Pull up a chair, pop a beer, and watch the world burn?

          Honestly, I have no good ideas. I don't understand how humans have lasted as long as we have. So many of us just try to kill or hate each other for no good reason.

          1 vote
          1. [4]
            Bear
            Link Parent
            I just wish there was more to do than just drinking beers and watching the world burn.

            I just wish there was more to do than just drinking beers and watching the world burn.

            1 vote
            1. [2]
              aphoenix
              Link Parent
              You and me both. If you ever have a good idea, I'd love to hear it. I'm fresh out. I try to take a stand against stupidity when I encounter it, but it gets tiresome because there's just so much of it.

              You and me both. If you ever have a good idea, I'd love to hear it. I'm fresh out.

              I try to take a stand against stupidity when I encounter it, but it gets tiresome because there's just so much of it.

              1. Bear
                Link Parent
                I know the feeling. sigh

                I know the feeling. sigh

                1 vote
            2. [2]
              Comment removed by site admin
              Link Parent
              1. Bear
                Link Parent
                Slowly, tech companies are coming around, but as far as education and critical thinking skills, I agree. However, note how DoE Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is (or is trying to, I've lost...

                Slowly, tech companies are coming around, but as far as education and critical thinking skills, I agree.

                However, note how DoE Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is (or is trying to, I've lost track now) draining funds from public schools to private schools. What's that do to the majority of students in public schools?

                In no way do I trust her or the GOP in general to value the education of our children.

                2 votes
    2. Neverland
      Link Parent
      There was a QAnon banner on stage with Trump at his last rally.

      There was a QAnon banner on stage with Trump at his last rally.

      2 votes
    3. BlackLedger
      Link Parent
      I recently saw a review of a Neil Breen movie, and it made me nostalgic for a world for where that sort of unhinged, unfocused paranoia was confined to that sort of fringe space.

      I recently saw a review of a Neil Breen movie, and it made me nostalgic for a world for where that sort of unhinged, unfocused paranoia was confined to that sort of fringe space.

      1 vote
  5. [2]
    jaynap1
    Link
    The nature of 4chan is that any given post could be legit due to the anonymous nature. Of course, that also means that anyone can claim to be that legitimate person going forward and post...

    The nature of 4chan is that any given post could be legit due to the anonymous nature. Of course, that also means that anyone can claim to be that legitimate person going forward and post nonsense. It’s by design.

    That said, conspiracy theories have been around for a long, long while. I’m not sure why this one bothers people more than others that have been around for ages.

    1 vote
    1. Neverland
      Link Parent
      It could be due in part to the seemingly insane accusations of pedophilia. We just watched a ton of Elon Musk fans turn their backs on him for a similar thing. That seems to be a line for a lot of...

      I’m not sure why this one bothers people more than others that have been around for ages.

      It could be due in part to the seemingly insane accusations of pedophilia. We just watched a ton of Elon Musk fans turn their backs on him for a similar thing. That seems to be a line for a lot of people.

      3 votes
  6. [13]
    Comment removed by site admin
    Link
    1. [7]
      Deimos
      Link Parent
      Which is pretty funny, because T_D (or at least the mods) hates the whole thing now and have been banning almost everything about it, including a lot of users that try to defend/support it in T_D....

      As to be expected, most of the greatawakening Qanon posters on reddit also post to r/the_donald and r/conspiracy.

      Which is pretty funny, because T_D (or at least the mods) hates the whole thing now and have been banning almost everything about it, including a lot of users that try to defend/support it in T_D.

      A lot of Q-related signs/etc. were being taken away from people as they were going into the last rally too, and I saw some people talking about how even Fox seemed to be showing a lot fewer shots of the crowd than usual. /r/greatawakening tried to play it off as some part of the plan, but it's pretty obvious that it's because they realized it's making the rallies look like they're full of crazy conspiracy-theorists.

      13 votes
      1. [6]
        Comment deleted by author
        Link Parent
        1. [5]
          sublime_aenima
          Link Parent
          Due to the fact that it started on 4chan, I'm inclined to believe it's a troll that grew a life of it's own

          Due to the fact that it started on 4chan, I'm inclined to believe it's a troll that grew a life of it's own

          9 votes
          1. [3]
            frickindeal
            Link Parent
            Wikipedia has the following to say about Q clearance: So if the source is real, it's someone pretty high up in government. And they chose 4chan, a site that's relatively unknown to the vast...

            Wikipedia has the following to say about Q clearance:

            Anyone possessing an active Q clearance is always categorized as holding a National Security Critical-Sensitive position (sensitivity Level 3).[3] Additionally, most Q-cleared incumbents will have collateral responsibilities designating them as Level 4: National Security Special-Sensitive personnel.[4] With these two designations standing as the highest-risk sensitivity levels, occupants of these positions hold extraordinary accountability, harnessing the potential to cause exceptionally grave or inestimable damage to the national security of the United States.

            So if the source is real, it's someone pretty high up in government. And they chose 4chan, a site that's relatively unknown to the vast majority of internet users, instead of Twitter, FB, Youtube...hell, anywhere else more visible? Reddit would have worked to get more eyes on it than 4chan.

            And then trickles out vague "information" in the form of questions, inviting you to analyze and come to your own conclusions. That's a recipe for cognitive bias. A lot of it is so vague, you could come up with multiple conclusions. "Why does POTUS surround himself w/ generals?" I don't know, because Presidential cabinets are often made up of career military? It's all so vague (on purpose, I presume), that any meaning anyone gleans out of it is strictly their own interpretation.

            10 votes
            1. [2]
              Pugilistic
              Link Parent
              And yet posting on 4chan is enough to get every major news source to follow your troll campaign.

              And yet posting on 4chan is enough to get every major news source to follow your troll campaign.

              1 vote
              1. [2]
                Comment removed by site admin
                Link Parent
                1. Pugilistic
                  Link Parent
                  Ah, I didn't know that it had been going on for that long.

                  Ah, I didn't know that it had been going on for that long.

                  1 vote
          2. Pugilistic
            (edited )
            Link Parent
            Misinformation campaigns are actually surprisingly easy to pull off on any site. I wouldn't be surprised if a malicious government or another party is doing its best to push this story to the...

            Misinformation campaigns are actually surprisingly easy to pull off on any site. I wouldn't be surprised if a malicious government or another party is doing its best to push this story to the front of the news. After all the core group is only made up of 400 people. When is the last time we've seen a conspiracy theory this small make it to the center of media attention?

            This whole thing gives me a fucking headache. I can't believe that people are dumb enough to believe what Q says. Trying to read the great awakening is like sorting through a paranoid schizophrenic ramble of meaningless words.

            7 votes
      2. arghdos
        Link Parent
        Only semi-related, but the 3rd child comment there saying: made me laugh and laugh and laugh. That's literally what the man is best at ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

        Only semi-related, but the 3rd child comment there saying:

        Division tactics don't come from Trump.

        made me laugh and laugh and laugh. That's literally what the man is best at ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

        3 votes
    2. [6]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. [6]
        Comment removed by site admin
        Link Parent
        1. [5]
          gretchenfrage
          Link Parent
          I wouldn't mind seeing menslib discussions here. I feel like that community is pretty good at keeping substantive, respectful conversation. Disclaimer: I have absolutely posted there before.

          I wouldn't mind seeing menslib discussions here. I feel like that community is pretty good at keeping substantive, respectful conversation. Disclaimer: I have absolutely posted there before.

          2 votes
          1. [5]
            Comment removed by site admin
            Link Parent
            1. gretchenfrage
              Link Parent
              Doh! I seriously need to think more about the structure here before I post. I imagine there's a lot of overlap between ~humanities and ~lgbt for menslib discussions - at least with regards to how...

              Doh! I seriously need to think more about the structure here before I post. I imagine there's a lot of overlap between ~humanities and ~lgbt for menslib discussions - at least with regards to how the conversation is handled on the subreddit.

              2 votes
            2. [3]
              Algernon_Asimov
              Link Parent
              No. That's not what the humanities are. The humanities are: History Linguistics Philosophy Theology The arts (which is covered in ~creative). Mens' rights is probably more suited to ~life. Or...

              No. That's not what the humanities are.

              The humanities are:

              • History

              • Linguistics

              • Philosophy

              • Theology

              • The arts (which is covered in ~creative).

              Mens' rights is probably more suited to ~life. Or ~talk or ~misc.

              Tagging ~gretchenfrage: FYI.

              1 vote
              1. [3]
                Comment removed by site admin
                Link Parent
                1. [2]
                  Algernon_Asimov
                  Link Parent
                  I don't see what's philosophical about men complaining that their rights are being infringed by women asking for equal treatment, and branding them "feminazis". I'm not even sure that Deimos wants...

                  I thought maybe because it would have a philosophical bent

                  I don't see what's philosophical about men complaining that their rights are being infringed by women asking for equal treatment, and branding them "feminazis". I'm not even sure that Deimos wants to host misogyny like that on Tildes. But, if it is going to be here, it's a ~life issue: it's about relationships and parenting and divorce and such things. It's definitely not a study of philosophy.

                  Or, in other words... keep that hate speech out of ~humanities! I feel slightly responsible for that group seeing as I was the one who suggested it.

                  1. [2]
                    Comment removed by site admin
                    Link Parent
                    1. Algernon_Asimov
                      Link Parent
                      I've made no assumptions at all about you personally: I've been talking about MRA, not dubteedub. I had no idea about your personal views, pro- or anti-MRA, or pro- or anti-feminism, and it didn't...

                      It is pretty frustrating that you made so many assumptions about me

                      I've made no assumptions at all about you personally: I've been talking about MRA, not dubteedub. I had no idea about your personal views, pro- or anti-MRA, or pro- or anti-feminism, and it didn't matter to me. In my mind, I was merely discussing the right place for a topic on Tildes, not your personal opinions.

                      One of those posts you linked sums up my views: "I've long felt distraught that the only community addressing these issues, MRAs, are so anti-feminist and even in many cases misogynist." I was reacting to that view of men's rights.

                      If you look at this chain I specifically said that it's the opposite of the MRA community...

                      With all due respect: no, you didn't. You merely suggested /r/MensLib as an alternative to /r/MensRights. I'd never heard of "Men's Lib" until this thread, and in this context, it's easy to assume it's the same thing as "Men's Rights".

                      /r/MensLib looks not too bad. I searched around and found this article which was an interesting read.

                      I'm sorry for equating "Men's Lib" with "Men's Rights".