“COVID-19 'VACCINE' IS A LITERAL INTRACELLULAR HIJACKING NANOTECHNOLOGY VIRUS”: AN ANALYSIS OF THE PROLIFERATION OF COVID-19 CONSPIRACY THEORIES ON R/CONSPIRACY
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Authors
Trygub, Anthony
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Conspiracy , Conspiracy Theories , Conspiracy Theorists , Reddit , Coronavirus , COVID-19 , Pandemic , Virtual Communities , Public Health , Institutional Mistrust , Institutional Distrust
Alternative Title
Abstract
Conspiracy theorists are often portrayed in the media, popular culture, and academia as buffoons and idiots, paranoid, extremist, and even violent. While instances of such traits within some conspiracy theorists is certainly possible, and without downplaying the risks of conspiratorial thinking during a global pandemic, I would argue that the conspiracy community at large is not inherently dangerous. This research will not provide an answer as to who conspiracy theorists are, but can instead provide a glimpse into the feelings and motivations of conspiracy theorists and offer some perspective on why an individual might invest themselves into conspiracy theories. Many conspiracy theorists are scared for their jobs, their rights, and even their lives, feeling as though the monumental institutions they once entrusted to help them are now operating against them. These feelings can be exacerbated in an unfamiliar and unprecedented situation such as a global pandemic, and when most people turned to their social institutions to safeguard them, conspiracy theorists felt as though they were at the mercy of powerful, hostile forces. Although conspiracy theorists are often very wrong about their assessment of their own situation, learning how to re-gain and re-establish the trust of these estranged populations in social institutions in the context of the pandemic may just be a plain necessity, as the pandemic demonstrated the importance of social cohesion and solidarity for ensuring the health and safety of the population. Upon analysis, the majority of the conspiracy theories on r/conspiracy could be grouped into three thematic categories: negotiating class struggle, negotiating state powers, and negotiating nationalism. The topics of the theories which comprise these three overarching themes vary greatly, but they tend to blame the pandemic or problems that arose as a result of the pandemic on the wealthy, the state, or international disputes.
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Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
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This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
CC0 1.0 Universal
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
CC0 1.0 Universal