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Fake Believe: Conspiracy Theories in Aotearoa
Have you found yourself confronted by conspiracy theories? Are you increasingly debating points of reality with friends and family? Has the arrival of Covid-19 awakened a sleeping giant of conspiracy, extremism and alternative Truth? Drawing on nearly two decades of quiet observation, extensive research and wide-reaching interviews with believers, former believers, and sceptics, Dylan Reeve sheds light on the seemingly increasingly relevant world of conspiracy theories - where we are now, and where we might be heading. If you are curious, confused or concerned, Fake Believe will help you understand.
269 pages, Paperback
Published October 13, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 18, 2023
This is a current, New Zealand-based, thorough investigation into conspiracy theories—their origins, common threads, why people believe and also abondon belief in them, and their impact. There is a specific focus on the way that the internet, Trump's election in 2016, and Covid-19 have impacted conspiracy theories, politicised them, and brought them into mainstream visibility.
The tone of this book is very easy to read; though it's a heavy and complex subject matter, it's easy to follow and not super dense.
The tone of this book is very easy to read; though it's a heavy and complex subject matter, it's easy to follow and not super dense.
January 17, 2024
A very well thought out and approachably written intro to conspiracy theories. The specific new zealand focus was also really cool as it connected what I often imagine to be quite distant ideas to how they actually interact with the real world I care about. Gave me the sense that maybe I am too tolerant and laughing off about many of these ideas. It's easy to do instead of confronting them head on. Also gave me a good grasp of how I can like talk about these ideas to others. So generally a slay.
January 3, 2023
I really liked this book - the author does a great job teasing out the whys and hows of conspiracy thinking and its history in Aotearoa.
The only thing I didn’t like about it was the reminder of how scary it is that people I know subscribe to this way of thinking. But that’s not the author’s fault!
The only thing I didn’t like about it was the reminder of how scary it is that people I know subscribe to this way of thinking. But that’s not the author’s fault!
December 6, 2022
Chattily-written precis of the conspiracy thinking which dominates the fringes of NZ online discourse. No doubt pretty eye-opening and unbelievable unless you're a twitter tragic (looks at self).
Read
December 16, 2025For anyone curious about the rise of Conspiracy Theories as they impact this country, then Dylan Reeve has provided a clear account with some history and an attempt to explain the psychology behind these theorists.
Reeve's account is clearly presented and he has taken some time to sort out the various aspects of the theories and how they differ. I was particularly interested in how health and well being become a field of conspiracists and how the anti fluorine lobby fits into this movement.
It is also a reference to events which have happened in recent years. I could not, for example, recall the musician who founded the Public Party in 2020 and signed up with Jamie Lee Ross. Reeve has recorded that for me, Billy Te Kahika.
The book is by Upstart Press, not a publisher I am familiar with, but one we should be grateful for so that readers have the chance to read Reeve's book. I found the book design very helpful for reading at night, a large serif font and ample margins but in places the ink has bled through.
What I would have liked was both an index and a bibliography. Reeve is a journalist, not an academic but he does refer to several academics who inform his understanding of the history of conspiracy theories and the psychology of theorists. I would like to follow up on these writers but it looks as if I'll have to re read the book and make my personal annotations.
Reeve's account is clearly presented and he has taken some time to sort out the various aspects of the theories and how they differ. I was particularly interested in how health and well being become a field of conspiracists and how the anti fluorine lobby fits into this movement.
It is also a reference to events which have happened in recent years. I could not, for example, recall the musician who founded the Public Party in 2020 and signed up with Jamie Lee Ross. Reeve has recorded that for me, Billy Te Kahika.
The book is by Upstart Press, not a publisher I am familiar with, but one we should be grateful for so that readers have the chance to read Reeve's book. I found the book design very helpful for reading at night, a large serif font and ample margins but in places the ink has bled through.
What I would have liked was both an index and a bibliography. Reeve is a journalist, not an academic but he does refer to several academics who inform his understanding of the history of conspiracy theories and the psychology of theorists. I would like to follow up on these writers but it looks as if I'll have to re read the book and make my personal annotations.
March 29, 2023
Felt like this book was a bit of an iceberg, only showing the surface of the underbelly of conspiracy theory, which novice that I am I appreciated it being laid and explained in simple and understandable terms, plus then the book would weigh as much as an iceberg lol.
Like all good books do, it had me thinking about myself and my own relationship to information and conspiracy theories and see it through a far more cynical lens. I think having left a religion that required a fair amount of deprogramming (work that would be beneficial for deep rabbit hole people IF they could recognise and want to do that work) I had gotten good at that, but as I nod along to 9/11 conspiracy theories I had to agree with Reeve, it's a gateway conspiracy.
Like all good books do, it had me thinking about myself and my own relationship to information and conspiracy theories and see it through a far more cynical lens. I think having left a religion that required a fair amount of deprogramming (work that would be beneficial for deep rabbit hole people IF they could recognise and want to do that work) I had gotten good at that, but as I nod along to 9/11 conspiracy theories I had to agree with Reeve, it's a gateway conspiracy.
January 26, 2023
A solid exploration of the role conspiracy theories have in
The author does a great job of presenting the topic from a neutral, factual point of view; and generally doesn't pass judgement, preferring to let the story speak for itself.
The author does a great job of presenting the topic from a neutral, factual point of view; and generally doesn't pass judgement, preferring to let the story speak for itself.
January 21, 2024
Ok book that delves into different conspiracy theories & why people tend to believe in them. It coveres it's history and the leading figures behind conspiracy crowd in New Zealand.
The main reason I gave this 2 stars is because there is no reference or sources in this book.
The main reason I gave this 2 stars is because there is no reference or sources in this book.
December 11, 2022
Written in an approachable and conversational style, which belies the seriousness of the subject matter. It also makes it easier to read and absorb.
May 2, 2023
Highly readable and very relevant for any New Zealander wondering what is going on with all these weird protests. Content overlaps but doesn't duplicate Fear by Byron Clark
January 21, 2024
Not as nuanced as the author would like, but gives a ok overview of the current conspiracy theories circulating around New Zealand.
January 11, 2023
A smart and clearly written explanation of the NZ conspiracy scene. It’s a great summary that highlights all the main sh*t-stirrers and how they operate. It includes both international conspiracies as well as local ones like 1080, and how modern conspiracy theories pull all the different ideas under one New World Order banner.
Would recommend to anyone wondering why their weird uncle has spent the last year insisting 5G is changing his DNA.
Would recommend to anyone wondering why their weird uncle has spent the last year insisting 5G is changing his DNA.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews