Bird's Eye - Q, American Paranoia, and Reactionary Backlash

Spectacles In Conversation

Join the editors as they continue their discussion of the role of myth in political life, examining the "QAnon" conspiracy theory. What does Q tell us about myth and its role in politics? Is there precedent for conspiracy theories like Q in the American past? How is Q different from past conspiracy theories?

Next week, we will conclude our discussion of the role of myth in political life by discussing the possibility of a global myth, whether myths are ultimately natural or socially constructed, and what policies might make American myths more believable.

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Further Reading

• "Heeding Steve Bannon’s Call, Election Deniers Organize to Seize Control of the GOP — and Reshape America’s Elections," by Isaac Arnsdorf, Doug Bock Clark, Alexandra Berzon and Anjeanette Damon, for ProPublica.
• "Qanon Is More Important Than You Think," by Adrienne LaFrance in The Atlantic.
• "The Paranoid Style in American Politics," by Richard Hofstadter in Harper's Magazine.

Table of Contents

00:00 - Introduction

00:32 - Q Excerpts

02:57 - Recap of Last Week

04:39 - Today's Topic

05:50 - What is Q, basically?

09:33 - Connection to Election Fraud Conspiracy

12:34 - Q As Myth, Religion

17:48 - Q As Reactionary Myth, Fantasy

21:26 - Q's Roots in American Covenantal Myth

23:53 - History of American Paranoia

31:15 - American Tension b/t Universality, Particularity

35:20 - The Power of The Internet

42:39 - The Balkanization of American Narratives

43:13 - Next Week's Topic

43:54 - Signing Off