This BBC Radio 4 podcast-the Coming Storm-is worth a listen.
It explores the phenomenon of Q-Anon, the movement that culminated in the January 6th 2021 insurrection in the United States after the 2020 presidential election.
You will learn some fascinating stuff about how rumours, speculation and untruths can be leveraged into full blown conspiracy theories which can fuel a significant body of opinion. You will learn about the reputation of the Clintons back in Arkansas before they headed for Washington. And ultimately how Hillary Clinton is thought by Q-Anon followers to be the satanic leader of a cult engaged in all sorts of criminality, most notably paedophilia.
But you will also learn how to tell a story. And how a podcast should be produced. How to go back and forward over a timeline to unpack facts and rumours and stories and characters in the most compelling, effective, digestible way.
Everybody nowadays has the capability of making a podcast. Many of us have done so. But the ease with which we can access this technology is degraded and devalued to a certain extent by the poor quality podcasts you will frequently encounter.
Just because we all can make a podcast now does not mean it is a good idea to do so.
This podcast is a reminder of what quality audio content can sound like and achieve. Check it out. I think you will enjoy it. And you will once again recognise that the BBC have some institutional and individual skills that should not be taken for granted or forgotten about.