Published Thursday, October 8, 2020 8:51AM EDTThe pandemic has seen a worldwide explosion of misinformation. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA -- One minute Australian "wellness" personality Pete Evans is posting a barbecued prawn recipe to 1.5 million Facebook followers, the next he's claiming the coronavirus pandemic is an elaborate global hoax.
While government scientists give earnest daily briefings, Evans turns to social media to question lockdowns and rubbish the use of facemasks. The post attracted over half a million views and a blizzard of conspiratorial comments against vaccinations and traditional government rule. "The reason we have become the number one selling health and lifestyle author in this country is because what we share actually keeps people healthy."Academics have labelled the mash-up of New Age thinking with conspiracy theories as "conspirituality."
The charismatic "laid back, stereotypical Aussie bloke" appeal of Evans helped him weave a narrative which pits him against powerful establishment interests, said Marques. Evans denied pitching the "biocharger" for use against the disease, despite video evidence of him telling followers it had "recipes" for the "Wuhan coronavirus" -- a claim which resulted in a fine from Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration.
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