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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Ariel Bogle and Cam Wilson

Conspiracy theories have leached into public life. Is it scepticism towards power or a complete worldview?

A spying eye peeking through the red curtain
Many people turn to conspiratorial ideas after moments of profound disruption and tragedy, write Ariel Bogle and Cam Wilson. Illustration: MirageC/Getty Images

On the edge of George Street in Sydney, a woman is wrapped in an upside-down Australian flag. She holds one side of a large banner that reads “GROOM DOGS NOT KIDS”, showing pictures of poodles with ears dyed rainbow and pink.

There are young people, people in their 60s and 70s, parents with children in prams. There are T-shirts imploring you to “think while it’s still legal”. Another person holds a sign declaring their staunch opposition to a town planning initiative that has been erroneously linked to the rollout of a new surveillance regime, “Aussies SAY NO to 15 minute cities. FREEDOM.”

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