Derek Beres, co-founder of the Conspirituality podcast, discusses his new book exploring the dangerous intersections of conspiracy theories and spirituality. Topics covered include vaccine misinformation, child trafficking paranoia, body fascism in modern yoga, pseudoscience magical thinking, exploitative wellness fads, the loneliness epidemic, and managing hate mail and critics.
The wellness industry capitalizes on people's desire for constant self-improvement and exploits vulnerable individuals with chronic health issues by selling products and promises of improvement.
Conspiracy theories find a willing audience in wellness communities due to a lack of critical thinking, individualism, and isolation amplified by social media use.
Conspiratorial narratives within wellness communities often exploit the fear and desire to protect children, promoting distrust of conventional medical interventions and pseudoscientific practices.
Deep dives
The appeal of wellness fads and the exploitation of personal health as a spiritual crisis
Wellness fads capitalize on the concept of personal health as a spiritual crisis, making people believe that they must constantly purify and purge to achieve an unattainable level of purity. The wellness industry monetizes this by selling products and promises of improvement, feeding into people's desires for constant self-improvement. This magical thinking is used to exploit vulnerable individuals with chronic health problems who are searching for alternative solutions. The pseudoscience and co-option of scientific language by these charlatans adds to the appeal and may lead people away from seeking evidence-based medical interventions.
The dangers of conspiratorial thinking in wellness communities
Conspiratorial thinking often finds a willing audience in wellness communities due to a lack of critical thinking and a tendency to reject mainstream institutions and systems. The culture of individualism and sovereignty that permeates wellness spaces makes it easier for conspiracy theories to flourish, as individuals are more likely to believe that they have secret knowledge or hidden truths that others are not aware of. The isolation and loneliness exacerbated by social media use also contribute to the appeal of conspiratorial thinking, creating an echo chamber that reinforces these beliefs.
The exploitation of the innocent child archetype in conspiratorial narratives
Conspiracy theories often exploit the innocent child archetype, framing children as victims in a dangerous world. The fear and paranoia surrounding children being vulnerable to harm, such as child trafficking, leads to the amplification of conspiratorial narratives within wellness communities. This can be seen in the new age cults that promote distrust of conventional medical interventions, such as vaccinations, and in the use of pseudoscientific practices that claim to protect and heal children. The desire to protect children and provide them with a better future makes these narratives particularly appealing and emotionally charged.
The allure of self-appointed gurus and channelers in the wellness industry
Self-appointed gurus and channelers capitalize on the parisocial relationships formed through social media and online platforms. They create the illusion of a personal connection and offer supposed hidden knowledge or spiritual insights to their followers. These gurus often make grandiose claims about their abilities to heal or provide miraculous solutions to health issues, drawing in vulnerable individuals who are looking for answers. Through the exploitation of pseudoscience and the appropriation of scientific and spiritual language, these gurus gain credibility and attract followers who are searching for meaning and guidance.
The psychological impact of hate mail and managing pushback
Receiving hate mail and facing pushback can be emotionally challenging, but it is important to remember that the negativity often comes from individuals who are struggling with their own problems and may be seeking attention. Recognizing the anonymity and detachment of online interactions can help in managing the emotional impact. Focusing on constructive feedback and meaningful interactions can provide a more balanced perspective and help stay grounded in the purpose of exposing misinformation and promoting critical thinking.
It would appear that Lululemon-wearing Yoga teachers are worlds apart from gun-toting, far-right Trumper conspiracists. Yet, during the Covid-shut down, when revenues from brick-and-mortar yoga studios dried up - many prominent yoga instructors, as well as wellness influencers who saw big bucks could made in the midst of the vaccine paranoia – these strange bedfellows warmed up to each other!
In this episode, we barely scratch the surface of this timely and eye-opening book. Derek was deeply immersed and personally invested in yoga communities for many years, and not only this, but health and wellness has been his beat as a professional journalist.
From anti-vaxxers and vaccine misinformation, to the paranoia of child-trafficking and the Satanic Panic, to the body fascism of modern yoga and obsession with body purity in the wellness industry, to the pseudoscience, magical thinking of New Age channelers – we unpack some of the main themes that have contributed to the frauds, con artists, hucksters and charlatans – many of which now thrive on social media, with millions of followers.
Derek Beres is a multi-faceted author, speaker, and media expert based in Portland, Oregon. He has served in senior editorial positions at a number of tech companies and has years of experience in health, science, and music writing. He regularly speaks on science and media literacy. Derek is the co-host of the Conspirituality podcast.
