> I'm not saying that this validates any particular conspiracy theory (I agree with [1]), but that it highlighted an immense imbalance of power and transparency

> I'm not saying that this validates any particular conspiracy theory (I agree with [1]), but that it highlighted an immense imbalance of power and transparency between the 0.001% and the rest of us. Epstein was a comic-book villain walking free. I believe that if the media can make it clear that they're fighting _for us_, people won't look to QAnon for salvation. QFT. Epstein's death, and the way the media immediately circled the wagons to browbeat anyone questioning its circumstances with charges of "baseless conspiracy theory," was basically the decisive factor in my switching from a Skeptic-reading blanket conspiracy doubter to someone who takes a pretty wide number of theories seriously. The media hasn't even bothered asking the FBI why they haven't raided Epstein's New Mexico ranch. Whether that's an explicit directive from on high or they just instinctively know where their bread is buttered, it's clear whose side they're on.