# What happens to the QAnon movement now-- do they mutate & move the goalposts, or die out? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 22, 2021, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211 "2021-01-22T13:55:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/161 "2021-02-10T19:07:38Z")
> [@Daithi\_Lacha](#): > > See also: > Hebrews And Associates: Razers of Properties and: Haha! American Association of Retired Persons ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/162 "2021-02-10T19:40:28Z")
But how does that tie into US government research into jewish space lasers setting forests on fire? Or any of the other wacky conspiracy theories our posters’ family members are embracing? ---
**Author:** ![Daithi\_Lacha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daithi_lacha/32/5430_2.png) [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/163 "2021-02-10T19:44:35Z")
One thing I think I should add: My wife isn’t even a naturalized citizen. She’s got a green card but that’s it. In the past she said she didn’t want to be a citizen of a country that so clearly foisted its imperialistic mindset on the rest of the world. During Trump’s tenure she was considering it but I reckon that’s off the table again. So basically, she’s talking about stolen votes, but she can’t even vote here. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/164 "2021-02-10T19:58:09Z")
With no disrespect to you, that’s some world-class wacko you’ve got right there. I’m sorry you’ve found yourself immersed in this situation. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/165 "2021-02-10T21:00:56Z")
Love is complicated. Good luck to you, **DL**. ---
**Author:** ![Daithi\_Lacha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daithi_lacha/32/5430_2.png) [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/166 "2021-02-10T22:51:37Z")
It **is** complicated, goddammit. Thanks to all for the well-wishings. Maybe once March 4th rolls around with no change to the government, the scales will fall from her eyes. OR! Or! monkeys will fly out of my butt. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/167 "2021-02-10T22:59:56Z")
> [@Daithi\_Lacha](#): > > Even back then, though, she railed against the “Trilateral Commission,” the Bilderberg group, the Rothschilds, and other shadowy organizations that pushed the common man around (in theory). It’s a very straight line between this and Qanon stuff. But a wise man once said > [@Gyrate](#): > > Love is complicated. And if anything, I’m comforted by the fact that she can’t vote for the nonsense she believes in. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/168 "2021-02-10T23:08:52Z")
Egad - swear I’m not getting reply notifications any more, hence the late response (basically thanks, **Daithi\_Lacha**!). Hope I’m not the only one who can count their blessings for not having even _one_ qanon- (or even alt right or whatever)-supporting friend, relative, client, _anybody_, in my orbit. Not sure how much being a Canuck helps; there are, actually, substantial pockets of ultra-conservative groups up here (like in BC’s bible belt, and basically the whole province of Alberta 😆), but, thankfully - not in this mook’s neck of the woods. Pretty sure this week-old 538 opinion piece has yet to be posted here, looking at the qanon movement as a three-stage Unshakable Faith / Back From the Brink / Into the Shadows sort of structure. > **[What Comes Next For QAnon Followers](https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/what-comes-next-for-qanon-followers/)** > > It didn’t take long for the neo-Nazis to show up. Minutes after Joe Biden’s inauguration, as followers of QAnon were trying to understand how their predictions … ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/169 "2021-02-10T23:49:44Z")
> [@solost](#): > > In my case it’s my 18 year old son, Question: Is he a gamer? I’ve noticed my son, now 18, picks up a lot off right-wing nonsense from in-game chats. He hates Trump, and thinks Q is the stupidest thing he’s ever heard of, but was still “Is anybody voting FOR Biden, or just against Trump?”. Also makes Biden is a pedophile jokes and complains about Netflix showing a kiddy porn movie, even though we don’t have Netflix. Also wasn’t sure about going to college, becuase “isn’t it just a bunch of SJWs competing to be the most woke?” In general I debunk everything, so now he hates both sides. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/170 "2021-02-10T23:55:23Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > basically the whole province of Alberta I’ve got some VERY leftie friends in Edmonton. Just sayin’ ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/171 "2021-02-11T00:00:27Z")
> [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](#): > > I debunk everything, so now he hates both sides. That worldview works for me. Hey, you could get him on here (he’d be amused if nothing else). I had a friend’s daughter on my soccer team, and in Confirmation class. He loudly thanked me and our minister: > The wife and I can’t raise her alone. It takes a village… to crush a child’s spirits. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/172 "2021-02-11T01:15:27Z")
> [@Daithi\_Lacha](#): > > Maybe once March 4th rolls around with no change to the government, the scales will fall from her eyes. > **[Nonreligious Questions](https://www.patheos.com/nonreligious-questions/)** > > Whether you’ve been turned off by religion in the past or have a question about one of the world’s religions, check out what Patheos has to offer. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/173 "2021-02-11T01:17:30Z")
> [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](#): > > but was still “Is anybody voting FOR Biden, or just against Trump?” I’m sure that dozens and dozens of people voted explicitly FOR Biden! ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/174 "2021-02-11T13:43:28Z")
> [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](#): > > > [@solost](#): > > > > In my case it’s my 18 year old son, > > Question: Is he a gamer? I’ve noticed my son, now 18, picks up a lot off right-wing nonsense from in-game chats. He hates Trump, and thinks Q is the stupidest thing he’s ever heard of, but was still “Is anybody voting FOR Biden, or just against Trump?”. Also makes Biden is a pedophile jokes and complains about Netflix showing a kiddy porn movie, even though we don’t have Netflix. Also wasn’t sure about going to college, becuase “isn’t it just a bunch of SJWs competing to be the most woke?” In general I debunk everything, so now he hates both sides. My son is a gamer, so yes, his first exposure may have come from there. That led to following conservative YouTube channels. It’s ironic, when my sons were young we did what we could to protect them from the worst of the internet, even going so far as to install “Disney Circle” which intercepts and blocks whichever websites you choose from whatever devices in the house. The default preteen setting basically blocked all of YouTube, which the kids complained about bitterly, so I thought “eh, YouTube isn’t THAT bad-- no nudity, a little swearing…” so I allowed YT. Big mistake in retrospect. It would have been better if I had blocked YT for my older son and just let him watch porn. trump ran for and became president during my son’s early teens, a time when he was looking for his own identity, and trump gave it to him. My wife and I had a joke back when he first started coming out as a trumper-- “he likes trump so much because they both have the mind of a 15 year old boy”. Not so funny any more. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/175 "2021-02-11T13:54:08Z")
> [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](#): > > but was still “Is anybody voting FOR Biden, or just against Trump?”. That is a perfectly accurate description of the voting decision of millions of people, and in terms of voting motivation might be the single greatest reason Biden won. Biden is without any doubt the greatest beneficiary of “I’m not wild about this guy but I’m voting against the other guy” votes in any Presidential election ever. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/176 "2021-02-11T14:08:32Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Imagine the horrors if HAARP and DARPA joined forces, and were funded by the Rothschilds! > 😱 I’d like to hope someone would break out a case of the ‘54 Lafite, and they’d chill out. ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/177 "2021-02-11T14:21:06Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > That is a perfectly accurate description of the voting decision of millions of people, and in terms of voting motivation might be the single greatest reason Biden won. Biden is without any doubt the greatest beneficiary of “I’m not wild about this guy but I’m voting against the other guy” votes in any Presidential election ever. Eh? People have been saying they are voting against X for decades now. This is hardly new. I’m pretty damn sure millions of people voted for Trump in 2016 because they _hated_ Hillary, not because they liked Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_McQwark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@Steve\_McQwark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_McQwark)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/178 "2021-02-11T14:26:34Z")
Judging by some of my Facebook friends, in 2020 there were people holding their noses and voting for Trump because Biden would destroy the country if he won. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/179 "2021-02-11T14:32:35Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > > [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](#): > > > > but was still “Is anybody voting FOR Biden, or just against Trump?”. > > That is a perfectly accurate description of the voting decision of millions of people, and in terms of voting motivation might be the single greatest reason Biden won. Biden is without any doubt the greatest beneficiary of “I’m not wild about this guy but I’m voting against the other guy” votes in any Presidential election ever. Well, I voted FOR Biden. Ok, at least, I didn’t vote for him holding my nose, like I imagine many Hillary-haters voting for trump did. Strip away all the conservative BS about Biden and he’s a decent, highly experienced and very capable public servant who I believe ran for president for all the right reasons. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211/180 "2021-02-11T15:14:27Z")
> [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](#): > > but was still “Is anybody voting FOR Biden, or just against Trump? By that same measure, one could ask if the other 74 million were voting for Trump or just “against” a strawman caricature of corrupt socialist gun-grabbing genderbending Chinese agents. Like the man said: > [@Steve\_McQwark](#): > > Judging by some of my Facebook friends, in 2020 there were people holding their noses and voting for Trump because Biden would destroy the country if he won. Because of the way the system works a vote for one candidate IS denying the vote to the other candidates, what varies is how you explain it. But you can just as well say many people voted FOR a competent Chief Executive who respects precedents and rule of law and has better personal character, and they _wanted_ that in a President; while other people voted FOR someone who was disruptive and unapologetic and loudly ethnonationalistic and triggered the snowflakes, and they _wanted_ **that** in a President. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-qanon-movement-now-do-they-mutate-move-the-goalposts-or-die-out/931211.md?page=10)