Skeptical Inquirer Presents: "QAnon: Blood Libel for the Digital Age"

What is "Skeptical Inquirer Presents"?
Skeptical Inquirer is a bimonthly American magazine published by the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry dedicated to promoting science and reason. They've recently introduced "Skeptical Inquirer Presents" - live online presentations from leading experts in science, skepticism, medicine, media, activism, and advocacy, all devoted to the cause of advancing science over pseudoscience, media literacy over conspiracy theories, and critical thinking over magical thinking.

Every two weeks, Skeptical Inquirer Presents will bring you a new live event, emceed by the brilliant and hilarious comedian Leighann Lord, co-host of the Point of Inquiry podcast. And it’s all happening from the comfort of your laptop (or any other screen), wherever you are in the world, because even though so much has been closed down, big ideas can’t be contained in conference halls.

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Details for this event:
"QAnon: Blood Libel for the Digital Age" featuring Stephanie Kemmerer
Thursday, February 4th – 7:00 PM EST

QAnon, the ultimate baseless conspiracy theory, first emerged in 2017 as a rehashing of the equally ridiculous PizzaGate conspiracy from 2016. But its true origins – and in fact – the true origin of most conspiracy theories is much older than that. Long before the Satanic Panic of the West Memphis Three, the McMartin Preschool Trial, the Martinsville Nightmare and the abduction of paperboy Johnny Gosch – with its possible ties to the Franklin Community Federal Credit Union in Omaha; lies the medieval source of QAnon: The Blood Libel Myth.

The popularity of QAnon, PizzaGate and WayfairGate demonstrates the ability of dangerous ideas to persist through the ages. QAnon not only updates this myth for the modern age, but it has also utilized modern technology to proliferate; spreading like a virus, damaging lives and destroying Democracy. With its unique blend of online riddles contained in Nostradamus-like posts and its usage of Trump as the ultimate hero, QAnon has tested our society – and in fact the world – in ways no other modern conspiracy theory has. Its followers manifest symptoms of what could only be described as ‘collective schizophrenia.’ Calling themselves ‘Digital Soldiers,’ members of the QAnon cult wage ‘meme wars’ from behind their computers; and recently several have emerged from beyond their computers, committing dangerous crimes in real life. (IRL)

This discussion will focus on the origin of QAnon and demonstrate how destructive it is and ultimately, that it must not be taken lightly or ignored.

Stephanie Kemmerer is a researcher and writer for the podcast, “Even the Podcast Is Afraid.” She is also an occasional contributor to the podcast, “Southern Oddities.” Her interests include true crime, cold cases, conspiracy culture, the occult and paranormal and politics. A reformed 9/11 “Truther,” she possesses a unique insight into the minds of conspiracists and combats the misinformation and disinformation that leads to such thinking.