So I feel like I've lost my mom to QAnon. Or conspiracy theories generally. She told me this week she expects Biden and Obama to be arrested for treason, and of course Trump is coming back. She listens to so- called "prophets" on Youtube- this seems to be where she gets her information. Watches a channel called ElijahStreams. Now I don't think she even knows what QAnon is per se- but she certainly knows many of the tenets and people like Michael Flynn. QAnon has pervaded evangelicalism, and that's the scary part. She's very evangelical, and fact checks are met with "that's fake." I recommended the new Woodward book to her as I just finished it and found it very interesting- but that's fake too. I don't have an answer- she's a grown woman and I can't change her mind if she doesn't want it changed, after all.
No offense BTW to any conservative friends. I mean, I'm sure I have plenty of conservative friends who aren't crazy about Biden. But I'm sorry, this prophet/ QAnon stuff is too much.
In other news I posted new fiction this past week- Welcome to Haven- and will continue the story this week. I also posted a Top Ten covers post.
I'm continuing my listen of the narrative podcast Fathom. This is really good. I'm two episodes in and wow. The lead voice actress is killing it. The premise is something has been discovered on the ocean floor and weird things start happening at this underwater base. Highly recommend. And both films are fabulous. The first one is short- have you ever wondered if you're a Game of Thrones fan- what happened to Ben Stark? And the second one is based on the appendices from Tolkien.
PULP COVER OF THE WEEK:
Song of the week
PULP COVER OF THE WEEK:
I'm sorry about your mother, I have friends who are in the same boat and it's sad. It's also so frustrating that these huge evangelical churches who promote these conspiracy theories don't pay taxes either... but that's another can of worms! LOL. I've been wondering about the Woodward book, but haven't read it yet.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's very disheartening. I've been over to r/ QAnonCasualties and there is so MUCH of it!
DeleteSorry to hear about your Mom, I think a lot of the trappings of evangelicalism set up a lot of them to fall for conspiracy theories. Faith is valued over seeking hard evidence. You are told that people will disagree with you and you have to stick to your beliefs. Being “persecuted” is proof that you are doing the right thing. It’s frustrating.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's very disheartening because it's not just political disagreements- she's believing a whole different reality! And I think you're right. I'm religious too but her and I are all of a sudden poles apart on these things...
DeleteIt's so hard when your beliefs and political views are different from your parents. Mine aren't conspiracy theorists but they are staunch Republicans and we NEVER discuss politics.
ReplyDeleteExactly. I try not to discuss politics (or prophecy!!) with her but she sends me videos to watch and whatnot. I think the isolation of Covid hasn't helped- with all this time in isolation I think a lot of people who are a little more gullible are easy prey (I hate to call my mom gullible but she is kinda predisposed to believe stuff like this).
DeleteUnfortunately, there are so many absurd theories on YouTube that they seem true.
ReplyDeleteSo true!
DeleteI'm with you in this craziness. It's so hard when members of our own family can't see any common sense truth or untruth. We have them too in our family.
ReplyDeleteThat's the scary part- I see so many people saying the same things! We have a huge amount of citizens who believe bizarre things- like children being held underground...
DeleteI'm sorry your mom has fallen into all that craziness. I don't know how you pull people out of that. Because they don't really want the facts. It's the same with anti-vaxxers.
ReplyDeleteFacts don't matter anymore I guess. so frustrating. We live in an information age where you'd think information would set us free, but instead everyone just has their own sources of info now?
DeleteI'm really sorry about you mom!
ReplyDeleteBjxxx
Ontem é só Memória | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
Thank you!!!
DeleteGreg, so sorry this political craziness hits so close to home with your mom. I know COVID has caused many, especially retirees, to bend to the extreme and there is no changing their minds even with evidence. It all began 4+ reals ago with the new buzz words: "FAKE NEWS" sadly.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I get so angry when I realize all that has spun out of "fake news".
DeleteMe encantaron los últimos videos y el covid ha traído tantas noticias falsas. Los falsos profetas pululan por las redes que da miedo Te mando un beso y suerte con la lectura.
ReplyDeleteYes the false prophets are something else! Glad you liked the videos :):)
DeleteUgh, I am SO sorry about your mom. It is an honest cult at this point, and I cannot wrap my head around it- not only have so many families been broken apart, but the people STILL dying left and right because of it is just... mind boggling. And how the heck do you stop a cult THIS big!? I am just so sorry that you are going through this.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Like I was telling you elsewhere- I thought things were better! Then THAT happened.
DeleteI am sorry that QAnon (whatever it is called) has infiltrated your mother. And your country. There are elements of it here too.
ReplyDeleteIt's scary how widespread it is!
DeleteOh man, your mom sounds like she's gone down that rabbit hole bad, so sorry! Though Woodward might not be the best to recommend/quote to her, the veracity and sources of his stuff has always been known to be somewhat questionable, so that would just give her ammunition. And I read All These Bodies this week too, what did you think?! I love Kendare Blake.
ReplyDeleteShe's way down the rabbit hole ha! And I always thought Woodward was fairly straight on- all the transcripts and documentation- but yeah she was having nothing to do with that. :)
DeleteI LOVED it. I thought she captured the Midwestern feel pretty well, and that ending. GAH. Did he... did she... I'm still mulling it over...
I'm sorry your mom has fallen down that hole :-( There really is only so much you can do when people refuse the truth.
ReplyDeleteThe podcast sounds creepy in a fun way though!
Thank you! I hope you try Fathom- I'm LOVING it so far.
DeleteFathom trailer - ok, I'm curious now.
ReplyDeleteYes try ha ha!
DeleteI am very sorry about your mom. It is not easy to deal with it within the family, I know that from own experience. Some former friends of mine believe in the same crap and feel absolutely right about it. Well, we can only hope that nothing bad will hapen to them, can we? Stay strong, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It is hard, how do you even talk about such nonsensical stuff with those we are extra close to? And you also.
DeleteI've been listening to a podcast about QAnon and while it feels so absurd, they also explain how people slip away into it. I'm sorry your mom is going that way but I think you are right in saying you can't change her mind. It's important to protect yourself and your love for your mom as well from that. 'Fathom' does look amazing, where do you listen to it? 'Swamp City' is a beautiful image, no wonder it inspired you! I hope you have a lovely week ahead :)
ReplyDeleteJuli @ A Universe in Words
Thanks Juli. It really is a scary thing.
DeleteFathom can be found at https://www.fathompodcast.net/
I'm sorry to hear about your mom. Extremism in any regard is unhealthy we can only hope that things work out for the best. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteI’m so sorry about the situation with your mom. I’m right there, too, with my dad, who was a history teacher, and has been completely brainwashed by FOX. I love him so much, but it’s frustrating and sad and infuriating to see one of the smartest guys I know get sucked in like this.
ReplyDeleteAnd, of course, he’d say the same thing about me. After he called me a ‘fuzzy-minded liberal.’
Sending peace and a big, comiserating hug.
Thank you! And I'm sorry to hear about your dad. One thing I've noticed in these comments is that others seem to be struggling with this as well- and that's the scary part, how widespread this is! I have all those emotions as well- so much sadness and anger that my mom can be so manipulated in her older age.
DeleteAnd yes my mom asked me recently when I became so liberal? I didn't know what to say- my political beliefs are the same as they've always been, more or less, but now- it's all so polarizing.
Sorry about your Mom. I've been living in Arkansas for the past 5 years taking care of my mom and it's really astonishing how much craziness people believe around here. I will be glad to get back to L.A. one fine day. lol
ReplyDeleteAaah Greg, I had such a giggle at your opening passage. Lost your Mom to conspiracy theories...! Wha ha ha!! But yes, the older people are very susceptible. Here in SA, it's still our pensioners who are the lowest number of people who are vaccinated. They simply refuse to go!
ReplyDeleteAny case, have a good week ahead and good luck with all the conspiracy theories...
Elza Reads
I have missed out on watching Games of Thrones. One of these days....
ReplyDeleteI have a family member that seems to be very much into conspiracy theories and it's almost sad reading her rantings.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for what you are going through. I try to keep politics out of family discussions but I have a few that won't let it go. It's really scary that so many believe in these conspiracies.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to what you're saying about family members and their very strange beliefs! I was stunned when my daughter became one of those!
ReplyDeleteIt makes for difficult holiday meals!
Enjoy your week and your videos. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Some of my family members are also very into conspiracy theories - some of which are promoted by their church...
ReplyDeleteAnyways... I think I'm going to have to try Fathom. That sounds really cool!
I love conspiracy theories but I don't believe any of them. I just find it fascinating that some people can really believe such strange things. Your mum sounds like my future mother-in-law and father-in-law mixed together. They both think dinosaurs were created by Satan when he tried to make 'real' animals like God and Jesus... some evangelical TV preacher told them. They also think that Trump will come back and Biden is going to jail.
ReplyDeleteI try my hardest not to judge people but sometimes they just leave me scratching my head wondering how they got to this point...
Never heard of QAnon but now I've got to look into it. Just to see the madness.
They are fun! Except, when my mom falls down the rabbit hole lol. But yes they can be! I have favorites and there's even an account or so on Twitter I might watch ha! But yes the number of people who believe this Trump stuff kills me!
DeleteI'll have to check out the Game of Thrones fan film.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of QAnon.
Oh no Greg! I get what you mean. The worst is that you can say what you want, show scientific proofs and they'll always answer with 'that's fake news". And her being your mom that must be so frustrating, especially if one day she follows these so called prophets and does something harmful for her health!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about the QAnon stuff, that is very frustrating. I have family members and friends who just love Trump and I've decided not to discuss it with them anymore because it is too stressful.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading this week, I like the spooky night clip!
Thank you. I have to do the same...
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear you're having to deal with this with your mom. I have the same thing going on with my dad and stepmom and it's definitely one of the most frustrating things I've ever dealt with. It reminds me of a cult.
ReplyDeleteOh no- I'm so sorry you're going through it too! One thing I've noticed in the comments is a lot of people seem to be having similar problems!
DeleteI'm sorry about what happened to your mom, QAnon is scary, and it is sad to see people fall down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, the painting of Swampy City is beautiful and I love all the details.
-Quinley
Thank you!!!
DeleteThat's awful about your mom. I'm really sorry, and I hope you'll find a way to make her realise she's been manipulated. We don't have QAnon here of course, but anti-vaxxers and No Green Pass people are running rampant (you've probably heard about GP, but just in case: https://www.idealista.it/en/news/lifestyle-in-italy/2021/07/29/54172-italys-covid-green-pass-what-is-it-and-how-to-get-one).
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the next installment of your story!
Thank you. I don't have a lot of hopefulness on that score since it's been going on for a while, I don't think I'm going to change her mind- she very into evangelicalism so this ElijahStreams stuff really has her
DeleteI appreciate you forwarding that, I wasn't aware of the GP but I can see people here being that way too.
I'm sorry about your Mom and all the others taken in by the con man. The lies are so blatant and the GOP has lost its mind. I was raised Republican but dropped out when I realized the bs. I never could stand tfg. He's such a bad role model for the young today with the lying, bullying, adultery, misogyny and sexual assaults, really he's a criminal. I don't see how evangelicals can be supportive of the name-calling and adultery. Is that how they think everyone should act? She can say fake news but he's obviously had children with 3 women.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to read the Woodward book. I think his, actually their work has been pretty honest.
Anne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
Thank you. This comment is so spot on- exactly how I feel! The evangelical connection especially boggles me.
DeleteSorry your mum fell down that rabbithole. It's hard when it's people we love. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the writing front, though! It's tough to get creative writing out so proud of you for that. <3
Oh, Greg, I'm sorry. It's so hard to reason with people when they take as "fact" the lies they have been fed, and fail to see real facts for what they are. And it's so hard when we see people we love falling prey to that sort of thing. Suzanne (above) said it reminds her of a cult, and I think it really is.
ReplyDeleteThe Space ambiance piece is so relaxing! Thank you for sharing it.
Oh man, I'm sorry about your mom. I have tried reasoning with some who fell down that rabbit hole and it's feels impossible to reason with them. Having grown up in a cult, it feels very familiar. I try to comfort myself that I got out (of the cult I was raised in) and they can too, with time.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!!
Extremist from all walks of life scare me. Life is made of grey areas and middle ground. They need to find that.
ReplyDeletesorry to hear what is going on with your mom. my whole family with the exception of some are sadly Trump supporters but they aren't extreme in their support.
ReplyDeleteon another note, your short story based on that image was great. I loved it.
my post: https://blessedmommysc.blogspot.com/2021/10/my-daughters-11th-birthday-sunday-post.html
So sorry about your mother. Before she died, my mother was starting to get like that as well. She never bought into Trump (she died in 2017), but she had other crazy theories and would not listen to reason. If you figure out how to get through to your mother, let me know and maybe I can use some of it on other members of my family (who have been QAnon brainwashed). - Melinda @ A Web of Stories
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your mom, Greg. It is hard to see family buy into the lies and conspiracies. QAnon is like a virus itself. All These Bodies looks like a good book. I hope you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week, Greg!
I'm sorry to hear about your mom! It's really hard to talk about politics or facts with people who buy into that stuff. It's almost like Trump started his own cult and he's got his faithful that are ready to believe anything he says or promotes. I don't get it.
ReplyDeleteIts so hard when we have family members that have such opposing politics beliefs. I am conservative, but trust me many of us don't fall for the extreme conspiracies but I do support some of the ones that have actual evidence to support them. I just think we need to return to working together again and not being so hateful towards each other. Hope you are able to find some balance with your mother and find a common ground.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry your Mom has been hooked into QAnon. My heart aches for you and you are right, she is an adult and makes her own choices, but... you love her I am guessing and it makes you sad to see her caught up in it. Towards the end of my Dad's life he watched a lot of TV - evangelical and what i considered nonsense stuff. I lost it once but really to no good! Take care and may your week be good.
ReplyDeleteMy parents and I differ on some political points but neither of us hold an extreme position, I’d find it difficult to have a relationship with them if they fell down the rabbit hole, I’ve already had to distance my self from several friends. I hope the situation improves for you.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great reading week
Wishing you a great reading week
It's so disheartening to see so many people who find it easier to believe outlandish conspiracy theories than the plain and simple truth. Why is the truth so hard to believe? Because you don't like it? Doesn't make it false... just means you don't like it. Sorry your mom has got sucked into that madness, Greg.
ReplyDeleteI just can't with all the Q stuff. I am so sorry to hear your mom has been manipulated into believing it. We have family that are going that way as well. And they are not evangelical, or even religious. It's so confusing. :( We can't let Wyatt play with his cousins on that side because they refuse to believe in COVID and none of them wear masks. :( This pandemic has been more damaging than just the disease.
ReplyDeleteI can't understand how anyone can believe the stuff from QAnon and other similar groups. But then, I'm a flaming liberal and like Biden. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteIt's so difficult to know what's fake news these days. Not just YouTube, everything out there on FB, WhatsApp, Twitter too. Some time back, someone posted a mock army emergency drill from 2 years ago and everyone on Twitter assumed it was an actual coup attempt. Some groups will do anything for publicity or to provoke -- and I guess not everyone knows where to draw the line on belief. Social Media Age is tough.
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note, I'd definitely forgotten who Ben Stark was. Had to go back and Wiki him. Some GOT fan I turned out to be!
My younger brother is all over the conspiracy theories as well. Can't change his mind either.
ReplyDeleteMy father was a diehard democrat all his life but his last few years he was filled with conspiracy theories and this was before Trump lol It was kind of around the Obama/Palin times.
ReplyDeleteIt has nothing to do with actual R/D - this is something different and it's scary. Thankfully Kevin's parents aren't falling for it - although my very young nephew is.
I'm a bit on the Conservative side but I know so many people who make me cringe. All the conspiracy theories are just bonkers and I have an uncle whose deep in on the whole pandemic/vaccine/Biden ones (any of them connected to these three things). Luckily I don't see him very much because it drives me crazy. I have a hard time believing in conspiracy theories really at all. Not because I think everyone is honest but more that I don't think people are that clever or that good at keeping secrets. Hope you are having a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteThis post was a real eyeopener for me. I knew about these far-right wackos spouting craziness but didn't know any by name. Seeing that video was amazing. Then in news stories later, Lin Wood basically says he just said it for the media attention. Of course, no one in the audience that was eating up everything he said will see or believe that news!
ReplyDeleteI have a very small family on my side (both parents were only children) but my husband's side of the family has some believers in this stuff. Sad and scary!
Oh no, she has gone down the rabbit hole! I do feel that once you go down you never come back up.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your mom. That's really unfortunate. These conspiracy theories are a real threat to everyone's sanity.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your mum. So many people are falling for the lunacy and lies that are everywhere... It doesn't matter where you are in the world. Trump, the pandemic, and the environmental crisis (to name a few things) are bringing/have brought it all out. :( And there really is no reasoning with people when everything that contradicts their echo chamber is "lies" and "fake" when the exact opposite is true and they've fallen for the lies.
ReplyDeleteIt's always interesting when family members have different views than we do, and like you, I have a few who are conspiracy theorists about lots of things that don't really include politics, but everyone is kind of used to it, and either walk away, not answer the phone or start laughing. Back in the day, though, there were were some very heated debates. I've seen so many things on You Tube, which truly amaze me! Hang in there, Gorgeous Greg and stay well! Hugs, RO
ReplyDeleteI love the Secret of the Lost Race cover. Robots rule; except that one doesn't look very friendly. Ha ha. 🤖
ReplyDeleteMy mother didn't like tRump, but felt like a traitor not voting Republican in 2016, so she didn't vote. However, after having tRump for four years we were able to convince her to vote for Biden. She still voted for all Repubs at state and local levels, though. Even one who wanted to cut Medicare coverage and Social Security, so go figure. 🙄 The only thing she's jumped on that is slightly conspiracy theory is she won't get the vaccine, she thinks they have not been tested enough and might give her blood clots. Oh, Well. 😐
I hope you had a great week. 🌞
Don't be sorry, nothing you said was false! I am sorry that this is happening to your family. Even I was not crazy about voting for Biden (Bernie forever and always!), but never in a million years would I vote for the former guy, who is absolute trash and we all know it.
ReplyDelete