March 10th, 2021 – Breaking Down the Story: How Cults Like QAnon Respond to Embarrassing Failures

Join members and friends of the New York Financial Writers’ Association for a reporting club webinar looking at the story behind what drives supporters of conspiracy theories such as QAnon to hold tight to their extreme beliefs long after they have already failed to materialize. 

Peter Coy (@petercoy), a member of the NYFWA's board of governors and the economics editor of Bloomberg Businessweek, will discuss how he went about diving into the psyche of QAnon supporters in his recent story "How Cults Like QAnon Respond to Embarrassing Failures." His article examines why some people abandon their beliefs, while others dig their heels in even deeper and become more active in proselytizing, with input from an historian of American religion and a therapist who helps people leave cults.  

As economics editor of Bloomberg Businessweek, Peter writes on a wide range of domestic and international issues, contributing to the magazine’s Remarks column, cover stories, news sections, and bloomberg.com. He joined the predecessor publication, BusinessWeek, in 1989 as telecommunications editor. He became technology editor in 1992, associate economics editor in 1997, and economics editor in 2001. He came to BusinessWeek from the Associated Press, where he worked from 1980 to 1989 in Albany, Rochester, and New York City. Previously, he was a reporter for the Waterbury (Conn.) Republican.

NYFWA board member and Bloomberg reporter Olivia Carville (@livcarville) will moderate this event.

When: March 10th @ 7 p.m. (EST)

RSVPs Mandatory to: contact@nyfwa.org

*Zoom Link & meeting password provided at time of RSVP