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The concept of the control of information is one of the most pervasive and persistent conspiracies in modern society. The idea that governments, corporations, and other powerful entities are actively working to manipulate and control the information that the public receives is a central tenet of many conspiracy theories. While there is certainly some truth to these claims, the reality is often far more complex than the simplistic narratives put forward by conspiracy theorists. One of the most commonly cited examples of the control of information is the mainstream media. Many people believe that the media is controlled by a small group of powerful individuals who use their influence to shape the narrative of the news. While there is...

When an article on Facebook detailed a QAnon conspiracy theory about a “16-Year Plan to Destroy America,” commenters demanded death for those supposedly involved, including former president Barack Obama, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and other Democrats. Some Facebook commenters were specific in their calls for justice: “Firing squad---by SHOTGUN!” Others just craved speed: “TREASON = FIRING SQAUD [sic] OR HANGING! DO IT NOW PLEASE THAT’S THE LAW! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !” These posts — from January 2018, just months after QAnon flamed to life from the embers of Pizzagate, with its false claims of a child sex ring run by Democrats out of a Washington pizzeria — were among the many early warnings that the new conspiracy...