Following the failed attempted coup at the Capitol lead mostly by Trump supporters, QAnon conspiracy theories received worldwide attention in media reports and analysis. However, they were out a bit longer and they continued to be long after. During the pandemic, supporters of this organisation that melts antisemitic tropes with racist and conspiracy theories, took over the streets in Germany and other countries, to protest against the ´deep state´, a code for the official authorities. Practically, they grew exponentially during those times.
Mia Bloom and Sophia Moskalenko, two academic experts in the field of radicalization and far right theories summed up the history and background of the movement, as well as its main concepts and interpretations.
We may consider QAnon a political cult, without necessarily designated leaders, but nevertheless exploiting isolated individuals. ´Conspiracties like QAnon exploit vulnerable people during times of personal crisis, especially those who lack social support networks´. For an isolated person without contact with real life and sometimes without a lucrative aim, staying at home and following various theories, and ending up by making up their own based on uncritical assumptions may turn into an addictive habit. The repertoire of the American conspiracies is much older than QAnon but in this case, it relies on the access to online resources of all kinds, and was supported during Donald Trump time in the office. Compared to other far right movements though, QAnon has a significant amount of women among its supporters due to its focus on ´pedophiles´ and sexual predators, but also due to their relative isolations, especially in some remote parts of America.
Although Pastels and Pedophiles is well documented and is written in an academic tone, it feels as rushed out gathering facts and summing up only once in a while with some conclusions that do resonate, but sometimes are too general. I would have expect more theoretical background and throughout mentality analsysis in order to help us better understand the roots and the possible evolutions.
The recommendation to include critical thinking as part of the school curriculum is a very good idea but would have expect more details about the content and eventually the methods.
The FAQ at the end of the book is an useful summary of the most important questions regarding this movement, but maybe would have been better to use this space for more details and considerations about the movement.
The book was published two years ago, when QAnon was frequently in the media and therefore, it aims at offering to journalists and curious people some important timelines and concepts. For someone knowing nothing about this topic, it is a good start although this book could have been much much more.
Rating: 3 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
