Article review
This is the instructor’s instructions. “Write two pages analyzing the Meltzer article. How do you understand her approach to contemporary culture and her provocative insights into two disparate threads of political and cultural belief? Such an approach entails risk because it is uniting two phenomena that seem to be completely different, yet the rewards are great: new insight into contemporary culture as it is happening. How do you assess her analysis?”
ANSWER
Article Review: QAnon’s Unexpected Roots in New Age Spirituality
Meltzer identifies the emerging convergence between alternative spiritual beliefs and conspiracy culture. She describes contemporary culture based on Charlotte Ward’s concept of conspirituality. Meltzer believes that everything happening in contemporary culture is not an accident because it is all planned to work the way it works. Her description of the story of Jake Angeli, the QAnon Shaman indicates her belief that contemporary culture is driven by the desire to stand out. While a conspiracy theory drives Trump supporters to attack the Capitol, a number of the participants like Jake Angeli desire to stand out. Jake Angeli goes to the insurrection bare-chested under the coverings of Nordic tattoos. One of his tattoos is associated with white supremacy while his buffalo and coyote skin horns headgear are connected to the American West and pagan spirituality.
Meltzer gives her reasons for the emergence of conspirituality in contemporary culture. She equates the deterioration of western culture and the need to restore traditional sources of wisdom and ways of life as a major reason for the development of this brand of contemporary culture. “Western culture” in this case is the subtle connotation of white culture. The presence of nostalgia about culture and practices that existed before the industrial revolution attract men to seek the good old days. Meltzer’s understanding of contemporary culture indicates how she believes that the restoration of masculinity and white male dominance are key pillars of the development of this new culture. The white male’s power has been deteriorating with the advancement of diversity in the American scene. Women can be seen in powerful positions while minority race groups and ethnicities have also made some marginal strides towards curving their position in society. Any slight loss of dominance throws the white man into a frenzy and bruises his masculinity. Conspirituatlity provides a way in which this group can restore their importance and feel in charge once again.
I believe that Meltzer critically connects two very separates concepts that very few people can associate. The rise of conspiracy theories in contemporary culture may not be readily connected to spirituality. However, Meltzer critically draws a connection between the two concepts presenting the aspects that they share in common. She engages in delicate comparison and connection of the culture of conspiracy and alternative spiritual beliefs. Out of fringe conspiracy theories, a group of Americans has found an explanation for beliefs that they consider helpful in building their spiritual desires. For instance, Meltzer’s analogy of a conspiracy of elite liberal politicians and media personnel running a pedophile ring presents a very complicated situation. While this conspiracy seems to be out of touch with reality, its believers are empowered by the presence of stories that relate to their concerns.
The indictment of the very powerful Jeffrey Epstein on pedophilia charges fuels these conspiracies even further. Meltzer explains how these marginal events are used by these believers to rise and establish a powerful ring of coordination amongst themselves. A small but steady group of men find an easy answer in conspiracy theories such as those of QAnon. Coupled with spiritual connections, these groups find a more convincing safe zone free from mainstream religion yet powerful enough to captivate even the most religious people in society. Meltzer presents the connection between alternative spirituality and conspiracies in a comprehensible manner.
