QAnon, 15-minute cities and sovereign citizens: Plunging into the world of conspiracy theories

Journalist Ariel Bogle takes us inside the rallies, homes, courtrooms, secret chat rooms and $2000 Byron Bay luxury retreats where Australia’s conspiracy theories spread.Ariel has been investigating conspiracy theories and those who follow them for her new book.When things feel wrong and unfair, sometimes people look for answers in some of the more febrile corners of the internet.Add political fragmentation and the megaphone of the internet to the mix, and many conspiracy theories are fast gaining traction Australia.Some of these beliefs are imported from America; others are home-grown. In researching her book, Ariel met people who believe there are microchips in vaccines, and that the law isn’t real, but QAnon is.She also met those drawn into the cult-like world of sovereign citizens and tried to understand what lured them there in the first place.This episode of Conversations was produced by Alice Moldovan and the Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.Further information:Conspiracy Nation, co-authored with Cam Wilson is published by Hardie Grant.Listen to David Heilpern's interview with Sarah Kanowski https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/david-heilpern-magistrate-drug-driving-laws-ptsd-justice-system/14103618It explores conspiracy theories, 5G, vaccines, vaccine refusal, traffic fines, QAnon, 15 minute cities, sovereign citizens, pseudo law, legal system, relationships, conferences, podcasters, influential conspiracy theorists, Bill Heffernan, sheeple, Port Arthur, Wieambilla murders, Port Arthur, what pushes people into conspiracy theories, David Heilpern, do conspiracy theorists change their minds, families, fractured families, going no contact, Dezi Freeman, the hunt for Dezi Freeman, sovcit movement, propaganda, powerful cabals, strange conspiracy theories, australian economy, .To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.