This podcast explores the controversies surrounding a book called 'The Great Reset' and how it became a target of conspiracy theories. It discusses the influence of right-wing thought leaders like Jordan Peterson and the impact of an essay on ownership in society. The speakers also share their experiences engaging with critics and conspiracy believers, including receiving death threats.
Passionate individuals advocating for sustainable solutions inadvertently became targets of conspiracy theories surrounding the 'Great Reset' agenda.
The unintentional association between their ideas and the 'Great Reset' conspiracy highlights the need for responsible communication and careful messaging.
Deep dives
Various individuals working towards a sustainable future
The podcast episode introduces four seemingly unrelated individuals who are all passionate about contributing to a sustainable future. Duncan Enright, a counselor in Oxfordshire, focuses on improving traffic flow to make bus travel more attractive. James Stollworth, co-founder of Brownstone Shared Housing, addresses the housing affordability crisis by creating sleeping pods in existing homes. Joseph Eun, an edible insect ambassador, promotes incorporating edible insects into diets to combat world hunger and reduce the environmental impact of traditional meat consumption. Ida Alken, a member of the Danish Parliament, advocates for environmental awareness and action, participating in high-level meetings like the World Economic Forum's Davos Conference.
The unexpected connection to the 'Great Reset' conspiracy theories
Despite their distinct endeavors, these individuals unexpectedly found themselves at the center of the 'Great Reset' conspiracy theories. The conspiracy theorists linked Duncan's traffic filter scheme and James' shared sleeping pods to the idea of a 15-minute city imposed by a global agenda known as the 'Great Reset.' These baseless conspiracies gained traction partly due to influential figures like Alex Jones and Glenn Beck, who propagated fear and misinformation about the World Economic Forum's 'Great Reset' initiative, even though the individuals involved were not advocating for such a plot. The viral spread of the conspiracy theories led to harassment, death threats, and distorted reports targeting the individuals.
Misinterpretations and unintended consequences
The misinterpretation of Ida's essay on turning products into services for a thought experiment became a sticking point for conspiracy theorists. Despite the essay's harmless intention, the provocative title 'Welcome to 2030, I own nothing, I have no privacy, and life has never been better' contributed to the conspiratorial chaos around the 'Great Reset.' The World Economic Forum's messaging and marketing strategies, including videos and titles, unwittingly fed into the conspiratorial narratives. This unintended consequence highlights the challenges in managing how ideas are perceived, and the importance of responsible communication to avoid propagating misinformation and conspiracy theories.
How a young man with a novel idea for affordable accommodation, and an Oxford man with a plan for bus lanes, and a Danish woman writing a thought experiment about car rentals, unwittingly became hate figures for conspiracy theorists.
Written and presented by Jon Ronson
Produced by Sarah Shebbeare
Original music by Phil Channell
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