Red Pill, Blue Pill

How to Counteract the Conspiracy Theories That Are Killing Us

By: David Neiwert

Narrated by: Matthew Josdal

Conspiracy theories are killing us. Once confined to the fringes of society, this worldview now has adherents numbering in the millions - extending right into the White House. This disturbing look at this alt-right threat to our democratic institutions offers guidance for counteracting the personal toll this destructive mindset can have on relationships and families.

Author David Neiwert - an investigative journalist who has studied the radical right for decades - examines the growing appeal of conspiracy theories and the kind of personalities that are attracted to such paranoid, sociopathic messages. He explains how alt-right leaders are able to get such firm holds on the imaginations of their followers and chronicles the destruction caused by the movement's most virulent believers.

Colloquially, this recruitment to alt-right ideologies is called "getting red-pilled" - a metaphor for when believers of conspiracy theories become convinced that their alternate universe is real. Uniquely, and optimistically, Neiwert provides a "blue pill toolkit" for those who are dealing with conspiracy theorists in their own lives, including strategies drawn from people who counsel former far-right extremists who have renounced their former beliefs.

©2020 David Neiwert (P)2020 Tantor

Have a conspiracy nut in your life?

Neiwert does a great job not only explaining the possible harm of conspiracy thinking, but also provides an antidote. Important read for every American in 2020, especially for those of us who have relationships with conspiracy nuts.

Great mix of examples and analysis

Perfect introduction for those of us trying to understand and cope with friends, family and neighbors who have entered the rabbit hole of conspiracy theory. Well grounded in realistic expectations for successful interactions. I particularly appreciate the mix of historical context, research and modern considerations that lead to concrete steps.

A Good Resource If Your Uncle Has You Worried

I've seen some other books delve more deeply into these topics, but if you want to understand the origins of the modern wave of conspiracy theory, and also how to best broach the topic with a troubled family member or friend, this is the book for you.

Why do groups like QAnon believe such wacky things?

The author gives a great overview of conspiracy theories, what they are, and how our society should go about reducing the harm they cause. A look at the psychological and social aspects of conspiracy theories. In our contemporary world, full of “fake news” this is a must read. Why do people follow groups like Qanon? Find out!

Robotic

While the book was highly informative I was put off by the narrator? Was it a narrator or was it actually one of those robotic programs that read it? Because I heard barely a tone of humanity in the voice. That almost ruined it. It’s very hard to get into with that computer sounding voice. I should’ve listened to other reviewer‘s that said this, but I was so interested in the subject. no offense because I know it really is a human but not the perfect choice for a narration

Poor narration

The book itself is great, but the narrator's cadence throws off the flow and is distracting.

A deep analytical view of conspiracism.

Loved this book. It's even better than Alt-America (which was great). It's a deep analytical dive into the changing sociological and technological dynamics of conspiracy theories. Crucially, it articulates the relationship between conspiracism, terrorism, and authoritarian developments in the heart of democracies today. the narrator's deadpan reading of Neiwert was also pleasurable.

Fascinating as well as practical

The author did great research and stuck to the through-line beautifully. The narration was okay, but emphasis was frequently put on the wrong word, pauses were in the wrong place, and it was hard to differentiate between the author and people who were being quoted. Narrator didn't seem to grasp what he was reading.

Perfect for the ignorant masses.

And chances are you reading this are as well.
If you are, your probably going to like this… ok, piece of work.
I did not care for it. But only cause I seek truth, and therefore care little about what most people believe.

Naturally, most watch the news, let alone they watch tv, believe that the more people that believe a thing, more true it must be.
if you are one of those folks, this piece of work you will love just as it will do you a disservice.
If you do not watch tv,(congratulations) and know the news/media controlled ultimately by those that make up the vanguard group, know the federal reserve is not an American entity(why would they not mention that is school?). And you know global warming is a instrument of the controlling powers. And finally, the masses are suckers.
You now know getting this Schmitty book is a complete waste of time & money.

Poor Narration

I couldn't get past the prologue. The cadence of the narrator was too repetitive and off-putting.