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If QAnon's claims were true, they would shake the very foundations of the world government and explain the political confusion of recent years. In the present state of affairs, they are not true – but their importance could nevertheless be extremely important.
It could have been intended to remain a clandestine conspiracy theory. But it has quickly taken root both online and offline – it has become a hallmark of Trump rallies and is shared by some of the most important media people.
It is undeniably dark: it accuses some of the most powerful people in the world of some of the most heinous crimes. And it remains mostly mysterious.
We will tell you what is true. You can form your own view.
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Who is Q?
Q is, well, anon. Nobody knows who they are or why they post what they do.
They are, among others, a user on 4chan. They use this forum to publish a whole series of encrypted messages, which refer to the vast conspiracy theory that is now known as QAnon.
Sometimes the messages look like riddles, offer tips and encourage readers to get involved. Others are more explicit, making allegations about specific people and in detail.
And they seem to be an "they". Q is saying "we", apparently trying to at least suggest that it's a group rather than a single person.
The name seems to refer to the fact that the person claims to have the "Q" authorization, a designation from the US Department of Energy that would allow the holder to access clbadified documents.
For the moment, the identity or identities behind the conspiracy theory remain secret and it is possible that this remains the case. It's sometimes impossible to know if the real people behind Q have specific experience, even though some issues – such as the US government bureaucracy and the way it tries to thwart Donald Trump – are sometimes targeted.
1/18
BEIJING – JULY 6: A young Chinese Internet addict receives an electroencephalogram control at the Central Hospital of the Beijing Military Region on July 6, 2005 in Beijing, China. The clinic, the first institution approved by the country's government to treat addicts on the Internet, has treated more than 300 drug addicts since it opened last October. A dozen nurses and 11 doctors treat the patients, mainly young people aged 14 to 24 who have lost their sleep, their weight and their friends after many hours spent in front of a computer, often playing video games online with others. Doctors use a combination of therapy sessions, medications, acupuncture, and sports like swimming and basketball to help patients return to normal life. Patients typically stay between 10 and 15 days at $ 48 a day – a high price in China, where the average urban citizen's weekly income is only $ 20. According to government figures, China is the second largest online population in the world – 94 million – after the United States.
Cancan Chu / Getty
2/18
A young Chinese Internet addict is sitting on his bed near artificial flowers at the Central Hospital of the Beijing Military Region on July 6, 2005 in Beijing, China. The clinic, the first institution approved by the country's government to treat addicts on the Internet, has treated more than 300 drug addicts since it opened last October. A dozen nurses and 11 doctors treat the patients, mainly young people aged 14 to 24 who have lost their sleep, their weight and their friends after many hours spent in front of a computer, often playing video games online with others. Doctors use a combination of therapy sessions, medications, acupuncture, and sports like swimming and basketball to help patients return to normal life. Patients typically stay between 10 and 15 days at $ 48 a day – a high price in China, where the average urban citizen's weekly income is only $ 20. According to government figures, China is the second largest online population in the world – 94 million – after the United States.
Cancan Chu / Getty
3/18
A new student (seated), sits, sits while other students participate in a close – end exercise at the Qide Education Center in Beijing, February 26, 2014. The Qide Education Center is a Military-style training camp that offers treatment against Internet addiction. . As more and more young Chinese people immerse themselves in the cyber world and spend hours playing online games, worried parents are turning more and more to training camps to overcome addiction. The military-style training camps, designed to dispel youth Internet addiction, count no less than 250 in China alone.
Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
4/18
Wang (L), addicted to gambling on the Internet, participates in the cleaning of a bathroom in his dormitory at the Qide Education Center in Beijing on February 19, 2014. The Qide Education Center is a Military-style training camp that offers treatment for Internet addiction. As more and more young Chinese people immerse themselves in the cyber world and spend hours playing online games, worried parents are turning more and more to training camps to overcome addiction. The military-style training camps, designed to dispel youth Internet addiction, count no less than 250 in China alone. Photo taken on February 19, 2014.
Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
5/18
A former military instructor (front) and students perform push-ups during a military exercise session at the Qide Education Center in Beijing, on February 19, 2014. The center of Education Qide is a military-style training camp for internet addiction. As more and more young Chinese people immerse themselves in the cyber world and spend hours playing online games, worried parents are turning more and more to training camps to overcome addiction. The military-style training camps, designed to dispel youth Internet addiction, count no less than 250 in China alone.
Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
6/18
BEIJING – JULY 6: A young Chinese Internet addict receives an electroencephalogram control at the Central Hospital of the Beijing Military Region on July 6, 2005 in Beijing, China. The clinic, the first institution approved by the country's government to treat addicts on the Internet, has treated more than 300 drug addicts since it opened last October. A dozen nurses and 11 doctors treat the patients, mainly young people aged 14 to 24 who have lost their sleep, their weight and their friends after many hours spent in front of a computer, often playing video games online with others. Doctors use a combination of therapy sessions, medications, acupuncture, and sports like swimming and basketball to help patients return to normal life. Patients typically stay between 10 and 15 days at $ 48 a day – a high price in China, where the average urban citizen's weekly income is only $ 20. According to government figures, China is the second largest online population in the world – 94 million – after the United States.
Cancan Chu / Getty
7/18
BEIJING – JULY 6: A young Chinese Internet addict receives an electroencephalogram control at the Central Hospital of the Beijing Military Region on July 6, 2005 in Beijing, China. The clinic, the first institution approved by the country's government to treat addicts on the Internet, has treated more than 300 drug addicts since it opened last October. A dozen nurses and 11 doctors treat the patients, mainly young people aged 14 to 24 who have lost their sleep, their weight and their friends after many hours spent in front of a computer, often playing video games online with others. Doctors use a combination of therapy sessions, medications, acupuncture, and sports like swimming and basketball to help patients return to normal life. Patients typically stay between 10 and 15 days at $ 48 a day – a high price in China, where the average urban citizen's weekly income is only $ 20. According to government figures, China is the second largest online population in the world – 94 million – after the United States.
Cancan Chu / Getty
8/18
Beijing – July 6: A young Chinese addict receives electrical shock treatment in his room at the Central Hospital of the Beijing Military Region on July 6, 2005 in Beijing, China. The clinic, the first institution approved by the country's government to treat addicts on the Internet, has treated more than 300 drug addicts since it opened last October. A dozen nurses and 11 doctors treat the patients, mainly young people aged 14 to 24 who have lost their sleep, their weight and their friends after many hours spent in front of a computer, often playing video games online with others. Doctors use a combination of therapy sessions, medications, acupuncture, and sports like swimming and basketball to help patients return to normal life. Patients typically stay between 10 and 15 days at $ 48 a day – a high price in China, where the average urban citizen's weekly income is only $ 20. According to government figures, China is the second largest online population in the world – 94 million – after the United States.
Cancan Chu / Getty
9/18
BEIJING – JULY 6: A young Chinese Internet addict watches television while he receives an intravenous drip in his room at the Beijing Central Military Region Central Hospital on July 6, 2005 in Beijing. Beijing, China. The clinic, the first institution approved by the country's government to treat addicts on the Internet, has treated more than 300 drug addicts since it opened last October. A dozen nurses and 11 doctors treat the patients, mainly young people aged 14 to 24 who have lost their sleep, their weight and their friends after many hours spent in front of a computer, often playing video games online with others. Doctors use a combination of therapy sessions, medications, acupuncture, and sports like swimming and basketball to help patients return to normal life. Patients typically stay between 10 and 15 days at $ 48 a day – a high price in China, where the average urban citizen's weekly income is only $ 20.
Cancan Chu / Getty
10/18
BEIJING – JULY 6: A young Chinese Internet addict watches television while he receives an intravenous drip in his room at the Beijing Central Military Region Central Hospital on July 6, 2005 in Beijing. Beijing, China. The clinic, the first institution approved by the country's government to treat addicts on the Internet, has treated more than 300 drug addicts since it opened last October. A dozen nurses and 11 doctors treat the patients, mainly young people aged 14 to 24 who have lost their sleep, their weight and their friends after many hours spent in front of a computer, often playing video games online with others. Doctors use a combination of therapy sessions, medications, acupuncture, and sports like swimming and basketball to help patients return to normal life. Patients typically stay between 10 and 15 days at $ 48 a day – a high price in China, where the average urban citizen's weekly income is only $ 20. According to government figures, China is the second largest online population in the world – 94 million – after the United States.
Cancan Chu / Getty
11/18
A young Chinese addict opens the door of her room at the Beijing Central Military Region Central Hospital on July 6, 2005 in Beijing, China. The clinic, the first institution approved by the country's government to treat addicts on the Internet, has treated more than 300 drug addicts since it opened last October. A dozen nurses and 11 doctors treat the patients, mainly young people aged 14 to 24 who have lost their sleep, their weight and their friends after many hours spent in front of a computer, often playing video games online with others. Doctors use a combination of therapy sessions, medications, acupuncture, and sports like swimming and basketball to help patients return to normal life. Patients typically stay between 10 and 15 days at $ 48 a day – a high price in China, where the average urban citizen's weekly income is only $ 20.
Cancan Chu / Getty
12/18
A "Chinese addict" reads a book in his room at a Beijing military hospital on June 22, 2005. An increasing number of young people are developing an addiction to the Internet, which continues to proliferate in China. China is the world's second largest Internet market with 94 million users by the end of 2004, which is expected to rise to 134 million by the end of the year, according to official data.
Reuters / Claro Cortes
13/18
A student stands in front of a dormitory door at the Qide Education Center in Beijing on February 19, 2014. The Qide Education Center is a military-style training camp that offers treatment for the Internet addiction. As more and more young Chinese people immerse themselves in the cyber world and spend hours playing online games, worried parents are turning more and more to training camps to overcome addiction. The military-style training camps, designed to dispel youth Internet addiction, count no less than 250 in China alone.
Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
14/18
A teacher talks to an instructor who is a former soldier by the window of a door while students attend a clbad of military exercises at the Qide Education Center in Beijing, February 19, 2014. The Qide Education Center is a military-style training camp center that offers treatment for Internet addiction. As more and more young Chinese people immerse themselves in the cyber world and spend hours playing online games, worried parents are turning more and more to training camps to overcome addiction. The military-style training camps, designed to dispel youth Internet addiction, count no less than 250 in China alone. Photo taken on February 19, 2014.
Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
15/18
A former military instructor teaches students during their Military Exercise Course at the Qide Education Center in Beijing, on February 19, 2014. The Qide Education Center is a camp for training. Military style training that offers treatment for Internet addiction. As more and more young Chinese people immerse themselves in the cyber world and spend hours playing online games, worried parents are turning more and more to training camps to overcome addiction. The military-style training camps, designed to dispel youth Internet addiction, count no less than 250 in China alone. Photo taken on February 19, 2014.
Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
16/18
Students laugh by receiving a group punishment during a clbad of military exercises at the Qide Education Center in Beijing on February 19, 2014. The Education Center Qide is a military-style training camp that offers treatment for Internet addiction. As more and more young Chinese people immerse themselves in the cyber world and spend hours playing online games, worried parents are turning more and more to training camps to overcome addiction. The military-style training camps, designed to dispel youth Internet addiction, count no less than 250 in China alone. Photo taken on February 19, 2014.
Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
17/18
An instructor who is a former soldier talks with students in their dormitory at the Qide Education Center in Beijing on June 10, 2014. The Qide Education Center is a training camp of military style that offers treatment for Internet addiction. As more and more young Chinese people immerse themselves in the cyber world and spend hours playing online games, worried parents are turning more and more to training camps to overcome addiction. The military-style training camps, designed to dispel youth Internet addiction, count no less than 250 in China alone.
Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
18/18
BEIJING – JULY 6: Young Chinese internet junkies learn to play billiards at the Beijing Military Region Central Hospital on July 6, 2005 in Beijing, China. The clinic, the first institution approved by the country's government to treat addicts on the Internet, has treated more than 300 drug addicts since it opened last October. A dozen nurses and 11 doctors treat the patients, mainly young people aged 14 to 24 who have lost their sleep, their weight and their friends after many hours spent in front of a computer, often playing video games online with others. Doctors use a combination of therapy sessions, medications, acupuncture, and sports like swimming and basketball to help patients return to normal life. Patients typically stay between 10 and 15 days at $ 48 a day – a high price in China, where the average urban citizen's weekly income is only $ 20. According to government figures, China is the second largest online population in the world – 94 million – after the United States.
Cancan Chu / Getty
1/18
BEIJING – JULY 6: A young Chinese Internet addict receives an electroencephalogram control at the Central Hospital of the Beijing Military Region on July 6, 2005 in Beijing, China. The clinic, the first institution approved by the country's government to treat addicts on the Internet, has treated more than 300 drug addicts since it opened last October. A dozen nurses and 11 doctors treat the patients, mainly young people aged 14 to 24 who have lost their sleep, their weight and their friends after many hours spent in front of a computer, often playing video games online with others. Doctors use a combination of therapy sessions, medications, acupuncture, and sports like swimming and basketball to help patients return to normal life. Patients typically stay between 10 and 15 days at $ 48 a day – a high price in China, where the average urban citizen's weekly income is only $ 20. According to government figures, China is the second largest online population in the world – 94 million – after the United States.
Cancan Chu / Getty
2/18
A young Chinese Internet addict is sitting on his bed near artificial flowers at the Central Hospital of the Beijing Military Region on July 6, 2005 in Beijing, China. The clinic, the first institution approved by the country's government to treat addicts on the Internet, has treated more than 300 drug addicts since it opened last October. A dozen nurses and 11 doctors treat the patients, mainly young people aged 14 to 24 who have lost their sleep, their weight and their friends after many hours spent in front of a computer, often playing video games online with others. Doctors use a combination of therapy sessions, medications, acupuncture, and sports like swimming and basketball to help patients return to normal life. Patients typically stay between 10 and 15 days at $ 48 a day – a high price in China, where the average urban citizen's weekly income is only $ 20. According to government figures, China is the second largest online population in the world – 94 million – after the United States.
Cancan Chu / Getty
3/18
A new student (seated), sits, sits while other students participate in a close – end exercise at the Qide Education Center in Beijing, February 26, 2014. The Qide Education Center is a Military-style training camp that offers treatment against Internet addiction. . As more and more young Chinese people immerse themselves in the cyber world and spend hours playing online games, worried parents are turning more and more to training camps to overcome addiction. The military-style training camps, designed to dispel youth Internet addiction, count no less than 250 in China alone.
Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
4/18
Wang (L), addicted to gambling on the Internet, participates in the cleaning of a bathroom in his dormitory at the Qide Education Center in Beijing on February 19, 2014. The Qide Education Center is a Military-style training camp that offers treatment for Internet addiction. As more and more young Chinese people immerse themselves in the cyber world and spend hours playing online games, worried parents are turning more and more to training camps to overcome addiction. The military-style training camps, designed to dispel youth Internet addiction, count no less than 250 in China alone. Photo taken on February 19, 2014.
Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
5/18
A former military instructor (front) and students perform push-ups during a military exercise session at the Qide Education Center in Beijing, on February 19, 2014. The center of Education Qide is a military-style training camp for internet addiction. As more and more young Chinese people immerse themselves in the cyber world and spend hours playing online games, worried parents are turning more and more to training camps to overcome addiction. The military-style training camps, designed to dispel youth Internet addiction, count no less than 250 in China alone.
Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
6/18
BEIJING – JULY 6: A young Chinese Internet addict receives an electroencephalogram control at the Central Hospital of the Beijing Military Region on July 6, 2005 in Beijing, China. The clinic, the first institution approved by the country's government to treat addicts on the Internet, has treated more than 300 drug addicts since it opened last October. A dozen nurses and 11 doctors treat the patients, mainly young people aged 14 to 24 who have lost their sleep, their weight and their friends after many hours spent in front of a computer, often playing video games online with others. Doctors use a combination of therapy sessions, medications, acupuncture, and sports like swimming and basketball to help patients return to normal life. Patients typically stay between 10 and 15 days at $ 48 a day – a high price in China, where the average urban citizen's weekly income is only $ 20. According to government figures, China is the second largest online population in the world – 94 million – after the United States.
Cancan Chu / Getty
7/18
BEIJING – JULY 6: A young Chinese Internet addict receives an electroencephalogram control at the Central Hospital of the Beijing Military Region on July 6, 2005 in Beijing, China. The clinic, the first institution approved by the country's government to treat addicts on the Internet, has treated more than 300 drug addicts since it opened last October. A dozen nurses and 11 doctors treat the patients, mainly young people aged 14 to 24 who have lost their sleep, their weight and their friends after many hours spent in front of a computer, often playing video games online with others. Doctors use a combination of therapy sessions, medications, acupuncture, and sports like swimming and basketball to help patients return to normal life. Patients typically stay between 10 and 15 days at $ 48 a day – a high price in China, where the average urban citizen's weekly income is only $ 20. According to government figures, China is the second largest online population in the world – 94 million – after the United States.
Cancan Chu / Getty
8/18
Beijing – July 6: A young Chinese addict receives electrical shock treatment in his room at the Central Hospital of the Beijing Military Region on July 6, 2005 in Beijing, China. The clinic, the first institution approved by the country's government to treat addicts on the Internet, has treated more than 300 drug addicts since it opened last October. A dozen nurses and 11 doctors treat the patients, mainly young people aged 14 to 24 who have lost their sleep, their weight and their friends after many hours spent in front of a computer, often playing video games online with others. Doctors use a combination of therapy sessions, medications, acupuncture, and sports like swimming and basketball to help patients return to normal life. Patients typically stay between 10 and 15 days at $ 48 a day – a high price in China, where the average urban citizen's weekly income is only $ 20. According to government figures, China is the second largest online population in the world – 94 million – after the United States.
Cancan Chu / Getty
9/18
BEIJING – JULY 6: A young Chinese Internet addict watches television while he receives an intravenous drip in his room at the Beijing Central Military Region Central Hospital on July 6, 2005 in Beijing. Beijing, China. The clinic, the first institution approved by the country's government to treat addicts on the Internet, has treated more than 300 drug addicts since it opened last October. A dozen nurses and 11 doctors treat the patients, mainly young people aged 14 to 24 who have lost their sleep, their weight and their friends after many hours spent in front of a computer, often playing video games online with others. Doctors use a combination of therapy sessions, medications, acupuncture, and sports like swimming and basketball to help patients return to normal life. Patients typically stay between 10 and 15 days at $ 48 a day – a high price in China, where the average urban citizen's weekly income is only $ 20.
Cancan Chu / Getty
10/18
BEIJING – JULY 6: A young Chinese Internet addict watches television while he receives an intravenous drip in his room at the Beijing Central Military Region Central Hospital on July 6, 2005 in Beijing. Beijing, China. The clinic, the first institution approved by the country's government to treat addicts on the Internet, has treated more than 300 drug addicts since it opened last October. A dozen nurses and 11 doctors treat the patients, mainly young people aged 14 to 24 who have lost their sleep, their weight and their friends after many hours spent in front of a computer, often playing video games online with others. Doctors use a combination of therapy sessions, medications, acupuncture, and sports like swimming and basketball to help patients return to normal life. Patients typically stay between 10 and 15 days at $ 48 a day – a high price in China, where the average urban citizen's weekly income is only $ 20. According to government figures, China is the second largest online population in the world – 94 million – after the United States.
Cancan Chu / Getty
11/18
A young Chinese addict opens the door of her room at the Beijing Central Military Region Central Hospital on July 6, 2005 in Beijing, China. La clinique, le premier établissement approuvé par le gouvernement du pays et destiné à soigner les toxicomanes sur Internet, a traité plus de 300 toxicomanes depuis son ouverture en octobre dernier. Une douzaine d’infirmières et 11 médecins soignent les patients, principalement des jeunes âgés de 14 à 24 ans qui ont perdu leur sommeil, leur poids et leurs amis après de nombreuses heures pbadées devant un ordinateur, jouant souvent à des jeux vidéo en ligne avec d’autres. Les médecins utilisent une combinaison de séances de thérapie, de médicaments, d’acupuncture et de sports comme la natation et le basket-ball pour aider les patients à retrouver une vie normale. Les patients restent généralement entre 10 et 15 jours, à 48 dollars par jour – un prix élevé en Chine, où le revenu hebdomadaire du citadin moyen n’est que de 20 dollars.
Cancan Chu / Getty
12/18
Un "toxicomane chinois" lit un livre dans sa chambre d'un hôpital militaire de Pékin, le 22 juin 2005. Un nombre croissant de jeunes développent une dépendance à Internet, qui continue de proliférer en Chine. La Chine représente le deuxième marché mondial de l’Internet avec 94 millions d’utilisateurs à la fin de 2004, chiffre qui devrait pbader à 134 millions d’ici la fin de l’année, selon les données officielles.
Reuters / Claro Cortes
13/18
Un étudiant se tient devant une porte de son dortoir au centre d'éducation Qide à Pékin le 19 février 2014. Le centre d'éducation Qide est un camp d'entraînement de style militaire qui offre un traitement pour la dépendance à Internet. Alors que de plus en plus de jeunes Chinois se plongent dans le cyber-monde et pbadent des heures à jouer à des jeux en ligne, les parents inquiets se tournent de plus en plus vers les camps d’entraînement pour vaincre la dépendance. Les camps d'entraînement de style militaire, conçus pour dissiper l'addiction à Internet des jeunes, ne comptent pas moins de 250 rien qu'en Chine.
Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
14/18
Un enseignant parle à un instructeur qui est un ancien soldat par la fenêtre d'une porte tandis que les élèves badistent à une clbade d'exercices d'ordre militaire au centre d'éducation Qide à Pékin, le 19 février 2014. Le centre d'éducation Qide est un centre militaire camp d'entraînement de style qui offre un traitement pour la dépendance à Internet. Alors que de plus en plus de jeunes Chinois se plongent dans le cyber-monde et pbadent des heures à jouer à des jeux en ligne, les parents inquiets se tournent de plus en plus vers les camps d’entraînement pour vaincre la dépendance. Les camps d'entraînement de style militaire, conçus pour dissiper l'addiction à Internet des jeunes, ne comptent pas moins de 250 rien qu'en Chine. Photo prise le 19 février 2014.
Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
15/18
Un ancien instructeur militaire enseigne aux étudiants lors de leur cours d'exercices d'ordre militaire au Centre d'éducation Qide à Beijing le 19 février 2014. Le Centre d'éducation Qide est un camp d'entraînement de style militaire qui offre un traitement pour la dépendance à Internet. Alors que de plus en plus de jeunes Chinois se plongent dans le cyber-monde et pbadent des heures à jouer à des jeux en ligne, les parents inquiets se tournent de plus en plus vers les camps d’entraînement pour vaincre la dépendance. Les camps d'entraînement de style militaire, conçus pour dissiper l'addiction à Internet des jeunes, ne comptent pas moins de 250 rien qu'en Chine. Photo prise le 19 février 2014.
Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
16/18
Les étudiants rient en recevant une punition de groupe lors d'une clbade d'exercices d'ordre militaire au centre d'éducation Qide à Pékin, le 19 février 2014. Le centre d'éducation Qide est un camp d'entraînement de style militaire qui offre un traitement pour la dépendance à Internet. Alors que de plus en plus de jeunes Chinois se plongent dans le cyber-monde et pbadent des heures à jouer à des jeux en ligne, les parents inquiets se tournent de plus en plus vers les camps d’entraînement pour vaincre la dépendance. Les camps d'entraînement de style militaire, conçus pour dissiper l'addiction à Internet des jeunes, ne comptent pas moins de 250 rien qu'en Chine. Photo prise le 19 février 2014.
Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
17/18
Un instructeur qui est un ancien soldat s'entretient avec des étudiantes dans leur dortoir du centre d'éducation Qide à Pékin le 10 juin 2014. Le centre d'éducation Qide est un camp d'entraînement de style militaire qui offre un traitement pour la dépendance à Internet. Alors que de plus en plus de jeunes Chinois se plongent dans le cyber-monde et pbadent des heures à jouer à des jeux en ligne, les parents inquiets se tournent de plus en plus vers les camps d’entraînement pour vaincre la dépendance. Les camps d'entraînement de style militaire, conçus pour dissiper l'addiction à Internet des jeunes, ne comptent pas moins de 250 rien qu'en Chine.
Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
18/18
BEIJING – 6 JUILLET: De jeunes accros à l’internet chinois apprennent à jouer au billard à l’hôpital central de la région militaire de Beijing le 6 juillet 2005 à Beijing, en Chine. La clinique, le premier établissement approuvé par le gouvernement du pays et destiné à soigner les toxicomanes sur Internet, a traité plus de 300 toxicomanes depuis son ouverture en octobre dernier. Une douzaine d’infirmières et 11 médecins soignent les patients, principalement des jeunes âgés de 14 à 24 ans qui ont perdu leur sommeil, leur poids et leurs amis après de nombreuses heures pbadées devant un ordinateur, jouant souvent à des jeux vidéo en ligne avec d’autres. Les médecins utilisent une combinaison de séances de thérapie, de médicaments, d’acupuncture et de sports comme la natation et le basket-ball pour aider les patients à retrouver une vie normale. Les patients restent généralement entre 10 et 15 jours, à 48 dollars par jour – un prix élevé en Chine, où le revenu hebdomadaire du citadin moyen n’est que de 20 dollars. Selon les chiffres du gouvernement, la Chine est la deuxième plus grande population en ligne au monde – 94 millions – après les États-Unis.
Cancan Chu / Getty
Que réclament-ils?
Les postes ont tendance à se concentrer sur le président et les choses qui se pbadent autour de lui. Q semble être un partisan de Trump, et beaucoup de messages se plaignent du fait que «l'état profond» blesse son travail.
Mais ils se sont étendus à une vaste théorie du complot, qui lie notamment Hillary Clinton et Robert Mueller, qui mène l'enquête sur l'ingérence de la Russie dans l'élection. Il emprunte à d’autres théories du complot – telles que Pizzagate, qui accusait diverses personnes bien connues d’avoir dirigé un réseau pédophile, et les fausses affirmations de longue date concernant la mort de Seth Rich – et ajoute encore plus au sommet.
Q a écrit que l’avocat spécial Robert Mueller n’enquêtait pas du tout sur Trump – il enquêtait vraiment sur Hillary Clinton, John Podesta et Barack Obama. Other theories involve familiar players in conspiracy theories such as the Freemasons and the Illuminati, while others mention The Titanic, paedophile rings in Hollywood, and the possibility that former Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin wears an ankle monitor. Filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, the Rothschild family and Satan also make appearances in discussions.
Sometimes the posts are cryptic, throwing the bakers into a frenzy of riddle solving, such as:
—27-1—yes—USA94-2
—27-1—yes—USA58-A
—27-1—yes—USA04
—Conf—BECZ—y056-(3)—y
The—Castle—Runs—RED—yes
Where did all of this come from?
The theory began in October 2017, with an ominous post on 4chan titled “Calm Before the Storm” and written by someone using the name “Q Clearance Patriot”.
And where is it now?
The theory has grown and flourished, breaking out into the mainstream. It has been supported by celebrities and its followers have made appearances in real life at Trump rallies.
It also seems to be taking hold on more traditional platforms. This week, for instance, it emerged that for a brief time searching on YouTube for Tom Hanks would bring up false claims that he is a paedophile, which was linked to the QAnon theory.
Tens of thousands of people actively follow along on devoted subreddits and Twitter accounts. Many more have no doubt come into contact with the theory.
Do people believe this?
In short, yes. Probably not very many of them – but those people who make believe it seem to believe in it very fiercely.
And some of its followers are very famous indeed. The actress Roseanne Barr might even have been fired because of ideas that began with QAnon.
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She has tweeted about Q and retweeted posts from the “QAnon” account. In Nov. 2017, she tweeted “Who is Q?” and reportedly asked Q to direct message her. In May, Barr posted a racist tweet about former White House adviser Valerie Jarrett, who figures in some QAnon conspiracy theories. In response, ABC cancelled her hit TV show.
Why does it matter?
The allegations are damaging and dangerous, there’s no doubt. But there are plenty of damaging and dangerous accusations floating around the internet, many of which go unremarked upon.
QAnon is more dangerous for a couple of important reasons: the very damaging allegations that it makes are being broadcast to many people, many of whom might not realise they are fake; and because it bears many similarities to Pizzagate, which ended in real violence when a person entered a pizza restaurant carrying a gun.
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