Online Conspiracy Theories and Perceptions of Institutional Power and Climate Change: A Study of the Flat Earth Society’s Forum

This study investigates the relationship between institutional distrust and political narratives within the Flat Earth Society’s online forum, analysing 2.5 million comments (2005-2024) using natural language processing and a mixed-method analysis of over 2.5 million comments. Results indicate a strong anti-institutional and anti-climate sentiment, with users frequently rejecting mainstream scientific knowledge and promoting their own ‘research’. The forum also exhibits clear support for Trump, linking his rhetoric to broader conspiratorial worldviews. This research highlights how online conspiracy communities challenge institutional authority, amplify political ideologies, and influence trust and social cohesion in the digital age.