1. What is the “the nocturnal ritual fantasy” and what did believing in it do for the people who disseminated it? [Right There + Right There]

During medieval times, religions and authorities slandered marginalized religious groups by calling them “witch” and spread false information against those groups to the commons. They claimed things like they are related to the demons, practicing eve act and rituals which requires infant life.  Historian Norman Cohn believes that it relates to the recent Pizzagate event.  

2. Given your correct answer to question 1, what made the Comet Ping Pong restaurant a likely target of a conspiracy theory based on the “nocturnal ritual fantasy”? [Right There]

Because of the owner of the restaurant is homosexual, and who once was in a relationship with David Brock. Interestingly, David was a right-wing promoter,  but then apostate to the Left. Comet Pingpong had a history of hosting a democratic fundraiser and was popular with beltway government employees, journalists, and politicians tied to liberal causes. 

3. What is “persecuting society?” How did the “nocturnal ritual fantasy” contribute to the establishment of a “persecuting society” in medieval times? [Right There] To what degree are the people that dissemeinated and acted on the Pizzagate conspiracy theory members of a “persecuting society”? [Text + You]

It’s a term that Moore used to describe what happened during 11 and 13 centuries. A period of time that is filled with chaos and brutality persecuted innocent people in the name of god. Back then the authorities justified changes in the way that they want to make by making an enemy they have to fight even it never exist. In this case, Jews and other marginalized groups are the targets. 

4. Barzebat says that the nocturnal ritual fantasy “is a tried-and-true strategy of the literal demonization that gets used when the basic pillars of a society are being remade. Modern America is undergoing just such a remaking.” According to Barbezat, what pillars are being remade in American society today? What other pillars would you say are also being remade? Are they reflected in the Pizzagate conspiracy theory? Or in another conspiracy that you’re aware of? [Right There + Text + You + All You]

“Pillars” such as race, sexuality, gender, and religion are being remade. When a woman slowly moves into power; when homosexuals become more accepted both by society and law. When many different religions intervein with each other due to globalization and the term called “global citizen” starts to emerge. Conspiracy theories such as “Pizzagate” can be served as a weapon by those who feel threatened in response to recent changes.  This theory does reflect other sources that we have read so far when there are dramatic changes within the society, Conspiracy theory tends to thrive.