Book Review: Conspiracy Nation

Did some Australians go a bit nutty after the COVID-19 pandemic, or was there always a conspiratorial streak in Australia? Journalists Ariel Bogle and Cam Wilson explore this topic in a new book about Australian conspiracy theories.

We all have that certain someone in our lives who seems to have gone down a proverbial rabbit hole of conspiracy theories and never been quite the same since. Perhaps they are concerned about 5G mobile phone signals, tell you about certain “false flag” events, are certain that COVID vaccines are part of a government plot to subdue the population or are moved to join “Freedom” rallies.

There is a tendency for many of us to sneer at conspiracy theorists and dismiss them at “nutters” or “cookers”. We may laugh at their absurd and peculiar ideas whilst feeling incredulity that no amount of evidence will convince them that their theories are incorrect or illogical. Yet this is no laughing matter.

As Bogle and Wilson point out, a surprising number of us dabble in some of these ideas from time to time. Many people are suspicious about how power works, but when this suspicion tips into an unyielding dedication to stories that can rationally be disproven, when grievance is nursed and monetised, when fear becomes an end in itself, reality rapidly disappears, and any evidence that does not align with these beliefs, no matter how compelling, is rejected. It can become a serious problem, even dangerous.

Conspiracy Nation delves into the history of Australian conspiracy theories and the people who believe in them. Starting from the “original” Australian conspiracy (that Prime Minister Harold Holt was smuggled by either a Russian or Chinese submarine when he was lost at sea), it explores some of the critical events in Australian history and how they were twisted into stories of conspiracy.

Citing research, Bogle and Wilson comprehensively look at the nature of the conspiracy theory and why people choose to believe them. There is an exploration of Australian native conspiracies, influences from the US, and how the internet and COVID-19 pandemic helped to fuel belief from the fringes of society to somewhere more visible.

Conspiracy Nation is engaging and informative, covering the full gamut from Sovereign Citizens to Freedom activists to Port Arthur denialists. This book does not shy away from very difficult topics including the multitude of malicious anti-minority theories that have caused so much harm in our community.

As Victoria Police continue to search for an alleged Sovereign Citizen gunman who killed two police officers, this book is timely. Bogle and Wilson have written a thoughtful, sensitive but serious book about the impact of conspiracy theorists on contemporary Australian life including the dangers that they pose to democracy, public debate, social cohesion and the safety of ordinary people.

Conspiracy Nation is published by Ultimo Press and is available in paperback or e-book formats.

Have Your Say

Δ