ABSTRACT
The Simulation Conspiracy theory was brought to fruition by David Icke in 2001, influenced by The Matrix movie theorists believe that reality is actually a holographic projection created by human thought fields. Conspiracy theorists leverage Reddit as a ‘Third Place to anonymously foster a sense of community by disseminating alternative narratives to shape public perception this paper unpacks the community that conspiracy theorists have created on Reddit, using the subreddit r/SimulationTheory as an example. r/SimulationTheory operates as an echo chamber that reinforces the same beliefs as most of its readers. Unlike other social media platforms, the structure of Reddit encourages the development of niche communities where users can ponder alternative narratives and share their unfiltered opinions. The Reddit voting system further reinforces the echo chamber effect and, without credible fact-checking, further validates often far-fetched beliefs. While anonymity on Reddit encourages users to feel safe to express controversial theories and foster a sense of community among fellow conspiracy theorists, it can also enhance the spread of false information and shape public perception in harmful ways. This paper describes the complex relationship between conspiracy theorists, Reddit, echo chambers and the community.
#ConspiracyTheory #SimulationTheory #DavidIcke #MatrixTheory #RedditCommunity #AlternativeNarratives #RealitySimulation #TruthSeekers #VirtualWorlds #TheMatrix
The Simulation Conspiracy theory has crossed the minds of many who have played The Sims (Electronic Arts, 2000) or watched The Matrix (Wachowski, 1999). Prominent conspiracy theorist David Icke started hearing inner voices in 1990, believed (him) to be the son of God he began his initiation journey in Peru (Paura, 2017). Icke first mentions the Simulation Theory in 2001 as the “Matrix Theory” in his book Children of Matrix, where he explains that the universe people exist in is produced by their minds and what is perceived as reality is just a holographic projection (Paura, 2017). This theory branches from his earlier claims of Reptilians in relation to the New World Order another popular conspiracy theory, Icke believes Reptilians are stimulating the oldest part of our brains to send subliminal messages and other mental control techniques (Paura, 2017). Icke admits he draws inspiration for his Simulation Theory from The Matrix film claiming that humans are used as batteries for AI systems that run what humans view as reality (Paura, 2017). The Simulation Theory is the sum of human thought fields that decode into three-dimensional holographic images using our DNA which Icke confirms by linking his theory to Einstein’s relativity theory that explains the relationship between energy and mass using quantum mechanics and the quantum field theory (Paura, 2017). According to Icke, physicists and mainstream scientists are controlled by a higher entity and physical laws are nothing but illusions (Paura, 2017). The Simulation Theory believes the night sky is computer generated which the Reptilians have created as a firewall to block the Earth from the higher level of reality’s vibrations that could set humanity free (Paura, 2017). Panek (2021) unpacks whether Reddit can be described as a community or an ecosystem of smaller communities due to its feature subreddits. Most sociologists would consider Reddit as a community (Panek, 2021), In this paper, Reddit will be referred to as a user’s ‘Third Place’, the term third place is used to describe the social space that the user is engaged in (Oldenburg, 2001). For example, if your home is your ‘first place’ and your workplace is your ‘second place’ your social media community (Reddit) can be defined as your ‘third place’ (Oldenburg, 2001). Conspiracy theorists leverage Reddit as a third place to anonymously foster a sense of community through disseminating alternative narratives to shape public perception.
CONSPIRACY THEORISTS’ COMMUNITY
The r/SimulationTheory subreddit has a community of 72 thousand users, making Simulation Theory in the top 2% of subreddits (r/SimulationTheory, 2012). Subreddits allow users to find any corner of the internet they desire, the structure creates specialised communities where users can share similar interests, explore alternative narratives and exchange information (Panek, 2021). Unlike other social media platforms that allow for open discussion with users with all different views and opinions, Subreddits are typically sought after by like-minded people often creating an echo chamber of opinions (Panek, 2021). Reddit operates with a voting system where users upvote or downvote what they read which designs the formation of the echo chamber community they are surrounded by (Panek, 2021). While this reinforcement of their own beliefs strengthens their sense of community, it validates their beliefs without any credible fact-checking (Panek, 2021). Users are able to post whatever they think, with or without evidence and receive interactive discussion from people who are not likely to challenge them but motivate them to search further into something that may not be true and encourage them to share it further (Panek, 2021). Conspiracy theories are rarely shared from person to person across social media platforms as they tend to be discussed in concentrated communities of people who already agree with them (Douglas et al., 2019). Adopting a different worldview to mainstream society creates a shared identity within the conspiracy theory community (Douglas et al., 2019). The Simulation Theory is one of the most common conspiracy theories because it is an easy escape for people unsatisfied with their real life, people are more likely to subscribe to conspiracy theories relatable to them (Douglas et al., 2019). Social motives like building community drive conspiracy beliefs and conspiracy theories are causing more harm than good (Douglas et al., 2019). Hampton and Wellman (2018) describe the perception of online communities as assumed similarities and increased access to self-selected, intolerant echo chambers. Building this type of community can be dangerous, Reddit lacking the filtration and censoring of false information can negatively reflect the public’s perception of reality.
In 2015 deliberately fake conspiracy theory information was posted to Reddit for examination (Douglas et al., 2019). This research showed that 80% of engagement with the post came from conspiracy theories their interaction indicated the distribution and encouragement of even fake, highly incredible material (Douglas et al., 2019). Community building and the interactive nature of Reddit promotes conversation, allowing for conspiracy theorists to feel comfortable and confident to share their otherwise ostracised claims. Reddit is the most comforting platform for conspiracy theorists; the community in conspiracy theorist subreddits has created a third place for people who often feel shut out by other areas of their life to come and not feel crazy, to share their opinions and read theories just like theirs (Douglas et al., 2019).
Unlike other social media where the intention is to be yourself and post your real life online, Reddit is typically used under pseudonymous accounts Paura, 2017). This amount of anonymity is attractive to conspiracy theorists who could be otherwise reluctant to share their controversial thoughts in their real life or on their platforms Paura, 2017). Reddits’ anonymous features create a sense of safety and freedom to express users’ wildest theories without fear of repercussions Paura, 2017). People who hold conspiracy beliefs often have a need for external validation and the psychological need to feel unique to others, communities for conspiracy theorists allow them to feel special and that they hold rare and important information that the rest of the world doesn’t have which boosts their self-esteem (Douglas et al., 2019). Like most areas of human life, like politics or religion, a sense of belonging is important, which is a huge reason why people often turn to a conspiracy theory they can relate to (Douglas et al., 2019). Reddit is primarily responsible for the rise in conspiracy theories on the internet, especially since Coronavirus (Panek, 2021). Conspiracy theories are most effectively shared through Reddit; other social media platforms, such as Facebook, are rarely used because of its older and less open-minded demographic.
Conspiracy theorists leverage Reddit as a third place to anonymously foster a sense of community through disseminating alternative narratives to shape public perception. The Simulation Conspiracy theory by David Icke has found a comfortable community on Reddit. This paper explores how conspiracy theories leverage Reditt as a Third place to foster a sense of community through discussing alternative narratives while protecting their real identity. By unpacking the subreddit r/SimulationTheory it becomes clear that Reddit formulates an echo chamber, validating the shared beliefs of conspiracy theorists without credible fact-checking or post-filtration. Even though Reddit does encourage community and provides a sense of belonging for conspiracy theorists, it also increases the spread of misinformation and confusion of the public’s perception. The anonymity that Reddit provides encourages posters to share controversial and risky thoughts freely and causes challenges in differentiating between credible information and conspiracy theories online.
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