Julia Ebner, a researcher on far-right extremism and the author of "Going Mainstream," discusses how extremist ideologies have surged during crises, including the pandemic. She explores the concerning rise of groups like QAnon and neo-fascists moving into mainstream politics. The conversation highlights the emotional complexities of individuals drawn to these movements and the tactics extremists use to infiltrate society. Ebner emphasizes the need to confront these ideologies as they gain traction and influence, targeting vulnerable individuals online.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Going Dark Research
Julia Ebner's first book, Going Dark, explored fringe extremist groups pre-COVID.
Her research involved going undercover in online and offline spaces, including neo-Nazi groups and ISIS hacking groups.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Undercover Research Methods
Ebner uses avatars and fake identities to infiltrate extremist groups online and offline.
This allows her to gain insights into their strategies, tactics, and motivations.
insights INSIGHT
Balancing Empathy and Ideology
Ebner emphasizes empathy for individuals' grievances while condemning their ideologies.
She notes the challenge of balancing understanding with the disturbing nature of extremist beliefs.
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Why Extreme Ideas are Spreading, and What We Can Do About It
Julia Ebner
Going Dark
The Secret Social Lives of Extremists
Julia Ebner
Julia Ebner's "Going Dark" offers a firsthand account of her undercover investigations into various extremist groups. Ebner infiltrated these networks, gaining unique insights into their recruitment tactics, internal dynamics, and online strategies. The book details the challenges and risks associated with such research, highlighting the complexities of extremist ideologies and the human element behind radicalization. It explores the evolution of extremist movements in the digital age and the ways they exploit vulnerabilities to attract new members. The book serves as a valuable resource for understanding the inner workings of extremist groups and the broader societal implications of online radicalization.
Accelerated by a pandemic, global conflict and rapid technological change, extremist ideas are becoming more widespread: QAnon proponents run for U.S. Congress, neo-fascists win elections in Europe and hyper-partisan commentators spread dangerous myths to millions online. Julia Ebner is a researcher specialising in far-right extremism, reciprocal radicalisation, conspiracy myths and terrorism prevention. Her new book is Going Mainstream: How Extremists Are Taking Over. She joins our host Carl Miller, Research Director of the Centre for the Analysis of Social Media at the think tank Demos, to talk about it.
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