It Could Happen Here It Could Happen Here Weekly 198
Sep 6, 2025
Raven, a journalist from the independent outlet Unraveled in Chicago, dives into the intricate world of conspiracy theories and misinformation surrounding the 2024 election. She discusses the rise of ‘BlueAnon’ and its emotional impact on communities, as well as the deployment of federal forces in Chicago and local responses to immigration enforcement. The conversation also sheds light on the challenges of independent journalism in an age filled with unreliable sources and the complexities of maintaining public trust in electoral integrity.
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Consensus Reality Has Fractured
- Conspiracy thinking has migrated across the political spectrum as information silos and performative politics erode consensus reality.
- Garrison Davis argues this shift makes liberals susceptible to the same conspiratorial methods the right pioneered.
Why Conspiracies Resist Debunking
- Conspiracy narratives resist falsification because they frame attempts to disprove them as part of the plot.
- The CCRU quote shows disbelief is weaker and less compelling than belief, which fuels conspiratorial allure.
Assassination Conspiracies Went Viral
- After Trump's assassination attempt, posts spiked claiming the event was staged and 'staged' usage rose dramatically on social platforms.
- NewsGuard and Sybra showed much of the push came from bots and inauthentic accounts amplifying that doubt.