Review: Pastels and Pedophiles: Inside the Mind of QAnon, by Mia Bloom and Sophia Moskalenko

Abstract

This book is an excellent introduction to the origins of the QAnon posts (“drops”), their origin and history, the constituencies who were most influenced by QAnon, why people were attracted to the worldview, and what can be done when family members go down the rabbit hole of QAnon conspiracy theories.Mia Bloom is a political scientist who researches and publishes on various aspects of terrorism studies. Sophia Moskalenko is a psychologist who studies “mass identity, inter-group conflict, and conspiracy theories” (back cover flap). She has published books on how conflict contributes to radicalization and on the attraction of martyrdom. Pastels and Pedophiles is written in the combined voice of the two authors. Due to their different specializations, it is possible to distinguish one author’s writing from the other’s but this does not detract from the cohesion of the book.Chapter 1, “Looney Lies and Conspiracies: Making Sense of QAnon,” introduces the QAnon conspiracy theories, describes the origin of QAnon posts on 28 October 2017, discusses QAnon-supporting candidates for political office in 2020 and the ones elected to Congress, and reports statistics showing the growing percentage of QAnon believers in the United States—from 5 percent in 2019 to 17 percent in February 2021 (3). This chapter explores evidence for who QAnon poster(s) might have been. The authors demonstrate how the QAnon conspiracy theories are modeled on prior antisemitic conspiracy theories, notably the fictitious pamphlet, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion (1902/1903) produced in Russia. The QAnon conspiracy theory that Democrats and their Hollywood elite supporters kidnap and torture children to extract a chemical that they use to keep themselves youthful is a reformulation of the old “blood libel” Christian conspiracy theory against Jews. Democrats are also accused of child sex-trafficking in the QAnon conspiracy theories. The chapter describes QAnon as a collection of conspiracy theories with believers continuing to create new variations.Chapter 2, which examines the 6 January 2021 insurrection, links former President Donald Trump’s supporters’ belief in QAnon conspiracy theories with the attempt to overthrow the outcome of the 2020 presidential election by attacking Congress. The chapter delves into contributing factors for people’s acceptance of QAnon conspiracy theories, including former military personnel suffering from PTSD, troubled family or personal backgrounds, and the monetization of QAnon merchandise. QAnon was marketed to women’s concerns about protecting children in posts in pastel colors. The authors argue that the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent shutdowns and social isolation contributed to more people reading QAnon conspiracy theories online and becoming converted.Chapter 3 looks at the radicalization of QAnon believers. It discusses how QAnon adherents say their conversion is similar to the character Neo in The Matrix (1999), who takes a red pill that awakens him to reality. This chapter also considers the QAnon belief in Trump as a savior, “the ultimate masculine hero who would rescue abused children” (100). In this regard, Bloom and Moskalenko argue that QAnon is “a kind of religion” (98). According to the authors,FolQlore satisfies four important needs for QAnon followers: a need to feel smart (cognitive utility); a need to feel connected (social utility); a need to feel positive emotions (emotional utility); and a need to feel like one’s life has a purpose (personal utility). (104)Chapter 4 explores the movement after the 6 January 2021 assault against the Capitol, when QAnon believers sorted themselves into “the Diehards,” “the Doubters,” and “the Defectors.” Strategies to promote critical thinking and social media literacy among Americans are discussed. The authors assert that online efforts to utilize QAnon to divide Americans have particularly originated from Russia (123–4, 132). Concerning the types of people who attacked the Capitol on 6 January, the chapter cites studies concluding that 68 percent of those individuals had psychopathologies (137). Steven Hassan’s theory of mind control is mentioned briefly (141) but not emphasized. Reflecting Moskalenko’s background in psychology, the authors recommend mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) formulated by Jon Kabat-Zinn as a way that people can cope with their concerns without resorting to conspiracy theories (147–8).Chapter 5, “Qontagion,” traces the spread of QAnon conspiracy theories worldwide and the appeal of QAnon to evangelical Christians. The role of Vladimir Putin utilizing online trolls to spread QAnon conspiracy theories in social media is also considered. The authors conclude that “QAnon’s spread is a well-executed psyop…a speciality of Putin’s KGB training” (169).The final chapter, “FAQs,” answers questions about QAnon, including how best to deal with family members who are QAnon adherents with varying levels of commitment and radicalization.Pastels and Pedophiles is an indispensable study of all aspects of the QAnon conspiracy theories for scholars studying and teaching about the movement.