How a conspiracy theory becomes 'real'

Jack Braddich's "On Microfascism" explores the subtle ways in which fascism manifests in everyday life, arguing that fully formed fascism emerges from smaller, seemingly insignificant acts. The book examines how these micro-fascist tendencies, often expressed through microaggressions or online memes, connect and build cultural power. Braddich connects these micro-fascist behaviors to larger political movements and events, highlighting the insidious nature of fascism's growth. The book challenges readers to recognize and confront these subtle forms of oppression before they escalate into larger-scale violence.

Nils Bubent's "The Empty Seashell" is an ethnographic account of his fieldwork in Indonesia, focusing on the villagers' experiences with witchcraft. The book explores the villagers' ambiguous relationship with the belief in witches, highlighting the persistent doubts and uncertainties surrounding the phenomenon. Bubent challenges the simplistic notion of belief as a fixed conviction, demonstrating how doubt and uncertainty can coexist with and even fuel belief. The book offers a nuanced perspective on the complexities of belief systems and the role of ambiguity in shaping cultural practices.

In 'Purity and Danger', Mary Douglas examines how societies categorize and manage concepts of purity and pollution, arguing that these classifications serve to maintain social order and symbolic boundaries. The book is a seminal work in symbolic anthropology, offering insights into how different cultures perceive and manage 'dirt' as a matter out of place.