The longer the corona pandemic lasts, the more conspiracy theories emerge – and more and more celebrities are taking part in spreading it. Journalist Sophie Paßmann explores her methods in a viral Instagram video.
The corona virus was developed in the laboratory, Germany abolished democracy and Bill Gates wanted to use the pandemic to plant microchips under the skin of everyone: These are just three of the many conspiracy theories currently in circulation. Keeping track of things is not that easy.
Especially in the last few days, conspiracy theories seem to be getting more and more popular, even from celebrities. Among other things, the vegan celebrity chef Attila Hildmann, dance coach Detlef D. Soost and Youtuber Ken Jebsen have drawn attention to themselves with corresponding statements. The journalist and author Sophie Paßmann believes the development is questionable – after all, celebrities reach hundreds of thousands of people on Instagram, Facebook or YouTube.
Paßmann: Two strategies make conspiracy theorists successful
Paßmann published a video on Instagram on Wednesday in which she analyzes the methods of conspiracy theorists – and makes her anger clear. “A vegan cook, a dance coach, a director of cute RomComs [gemeint ist Til Schweiger, Anmerkung der Redaktion]They all have the arrogance to believe that they have understood a pandemic better than virologists and politicians, ”says Paßmann in the video. The celebrities would only use two strategies that are common among conspiracy theorists: asking questions and presenting facts in a distorted manner.
Asking questions makes it unassailable
Paßmann gives Detlef D. Soost as an example, who asks on Facebook whether he can no longer decide for himself and his family. “Yes Detlef, but we just have a pandemic and there are things you have to do. Protect yourself, for example, ”says Paßmann. “Just asking questions doesn’t make you vulnerable, but of course it still implies what you want to say.”
Paßmann shows the second strategy – presenting facts in a distorted manner – using the example of Attila Hildmann. He regularly posts screenshots of news articles with headlines such as “Thousands of beds are empty in the clinics” or “Corona is no worse than the flu”. “What he would like to say: There cannot be as many corona sufferers, perhaps even no corona sufferers at all, because the hospitals are waiting for the corona onslaught,” comments Paßmann in her video.
The illusion of rationality
Hildmann posts screenshots of reputable news sites without commenting on them – and gives a deceptive impression: “You can create the illusion that you are one of the few who still pay attention to facts and not opinions that you are one of the few who are still rational thinks, […] what others can no longer. “
In her video, Paßmann also talks about why Germany is not in danger of becoming a dictatorship – and why Bill Gates has become the focus of many conspiracy theories. The video has now been viewed over a million times (as of May 7th). In the meantime, however, it can no longer be called up publicly because Paßmann has changed the privacy settings. Only confirmed followers can do that Watch the video here.
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