Jaworsky Bernadette Nadya
Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Joštova 10, 60200 Brno, Czech Republic.
Am J Cult Sociol. 2023;11(1):26-49. doi: 10.1057/s41290-021-00144-z. Epub 2021 Oct 13.
In this article, I examine the case of a viral film entitled "Plandemic," its sequel, and the epidemiologist that is its main subject, and develop a cultural sociology of conspiracy theorizing through the concept of "performative conspiracy." I argue that the Plandemic case represents a cultural performance within the (ongoing) serious social drama of the Covid-19 pandemic. I focus primarily on the "alternative" narrative put forth by the Plandemic case; however, the (Western/US) "mainstream" narrative becomes clear as well. Both call upon the same sets of binary oppositions, chief among them, science vs. blind faith, truth vs. deception, and evidence vs. supposition. Audiences, who are themselves fragmented and differentiated, are exposed to multiple narrative paths. Within the mainstream, they encounter an apocalyptic-turned romantic story, in which science, evidence, and the truth, the sacred trio, will lift humanity out of perilous danger. Plandemic's alternative narrative begins in a tragic tone and builds apocalyptically into a tale of terror, waged by the very same forces of science, truth, and evidence, to create a "plague of corruption" that will "kill millions." To conclude, I reflect on the potential implications of the increasing popularity of conspiracy theorizing about Covid-19.
在本文中，我审视了一部名为《大流行骗局》的热门影片及其续集，以及作为其主要人物的流行病学家，并通过“表演性阴谋”这一概念发展出一种关于阴谋论的文化社会学。我认为，“大流行骗局”事件代表了新冠疫情这一（仍在持续的）严肃社会剧之中的一种文化表演。我主要关注“大流行骗局”事件所提出的“另类”叙事；然而，（西方/美国的）“主流”叙事也清晰可见。两者都诉诸同一组二元对立，其中最主要的是科学与盲目信仰、真相与欺骗、证据与臆测。本身就已碎片化且分化的受众接触到了多条叙事路径。在主流叙事中，他们会遇到一个从世界末日转变为浪漫的故事，在这个故事里，科学、证据和真相这一神圣三人组将把人类从危险中拯救出来。“大流行骗局”的另类叙事以悲剧基调开篇，以世界末日般的情节发展成一个恐怖故事，而这个故事正是由科学、真相和证据这些力量所引发的，目的是制造一场“腐败瘟疫”，将会“杀死数百万人”。最后，我思考了关于新冠疫情的阴谋论日益流行可能带来的影响。
