Escaping QAnon: How he left the virtual cult after two years

Key Concepts

• QAnon: A baseless conspiracy theory with a growing online community of believers.
• Q: An anonymous insider who purportedly reveals information via cryptic posts within the QAnon theory.
• Deep State: A purported secret network within the U.S. government controlled by a cabal of satan-worshipping pedophiles.
• Donald Trump: Believed by QAnon followers to be fighting against the "deep state."
• Insidious Impact: The subtle and gradual negative influence of QAnon on individuals, leading to disconnection from reality.
• Logical Inconsistencies: Contradictions or flaws within the QAnon narrative that can lead to doubt.
• Empathy and Understanding: Crucial elements for helping individuals entrenched in conspiracy theories to disengage.

QAnon: A Deep Dive into a Conspiracy Theory

This summary details the nature of QAnon, its impact on individuals and families, and the challenges of disengaging from its influence, drawing on the personal experience of Shetard Jadeja.

The Allure and Insidious Nature of QAnon

Shetard Jadeja, 32, describes his experience with QAnon, which he discovered online in 2017. Despite being Australian, his prior residence in the U.S. and interest in American politics made him susceptible. He initially found comfort in the theories, unaware of their "nefarious kind of impact" and how they "slowly disconnected me from reality."

QAnon is characterized as a "baseless conspiracy theory with a growing online community of believers." At its core is "Q," an anonymous insider who allegedly disseminates information through cryptic posts. The central tenet of the theory is the existence of a "deep state" within the U.S. government, controlled by a "cabal of satan worshiping pedophiles." QAnon proponents believe that President Donald Trump is actively working to dismantle this cabal. Jadeja expresses a disturbing personal sentiment: "I would have been so happy to see hillary clinton dragged in front of a military tribunal that still bothers me to this day and how how willing and happy and joyfully i would have reacted to something that i would normally have want no part in."

Jadeja followed QAnon for over two years, a period during which he shared the theories with his father. They "used to talk about it a lot," exclusively discussing QAnon with each other and sharing information.

The Appeal of Conspiracy Narratives

Experts suggest that these narratives are highly appealing because they offer answers to people "who are essentially looking for answers." The QAnon narrative is described as "very compelling" by presenting a scenario where "all of this is orchestrated," a "cabal coming after you," and that they are "trying to make your life miserable." This provides a clear explanation for why "bad things are happening."

While precise figures for QAnon followers are unavailable, their numbers are observed to be growing. These conspiracies often originate on platforms like 4chan before migrating to mainstream social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, gaining "a little bit of velocity." The danger escalates significantly once these conspiracies reach platforms like Twitter and Facebook.

The Danger and Platform Responses

Some experts argue that labeling QAnon as merely a "conspiracy theory" understates its "danger and organizational power." The FBI has issued warnings that conspiracy theories like QAnon "could very likely motivate criminal sometimes violent activity in the U.S."

Until recently, mainstream platforms often viewed QAnon content as a matter of "personal political belief" rather than a potential catalyst for "real world harm." However, platforms have begun to take action:

• Reddit banned a popular QAnon subreddit in 2018.
• Twitter has removed QAnon material and deactivated accounts sharing it.
• Facebook, a month before the 2020 election, announced it would ban all QAnon-related accounts.

Despite these measures, the problem is acknowledged as ongoing and dynamic, with no single solution to permanently remove such groups from platforms.

The Path to Disengagement

Cracks in Jadeja's belief system began to appear when he noticed "logical inconsistencies" in the theories. The pivotal moment occurred when he watched a video that debunked the final part of the conspiracy he had embraced. This experience "shattered me." He describes feeling lost, experiencing "the worst feeling I've ever had in my life," and questioning his own perception: "I cannot trust my thoughts and emotions anymore. I don't know what to do. I was full of self-loathing."

For individuals deeply entrenched in such beliefs, disengagement is possible but requires a specific approach. The key, according to Jadeja, lies in "empathy and understanding," which must be "non-judgmental" and allow individuals to "keep their dignity." Without this, there is no incentive for them to change. Furthermore, individuals must be able to "admit you were wrong for so many years and that you were made a fool of." A pathway back, with incentives, is essential.

Jadeja expresses deep guilt over sharing QAnon theories with his father, who has not responded to attempts to contact him. The broader problem extends beyond individual belief systems and family rifts, as these followers perceive their involvement as an "existential battle between good and evil."