Q-Anon is an Online Cult Not a Hypothesis

Just caught part of a rather sad BBC radio programme. Some middle-aged people have had to effectively 'orphan' themselves, when their elderly parents have become Q-Anon followers. Becoming a follower can result in heated arguments, as parents refuse to have a Covid19 vaccination, claiming 'it will kill them'. They firmly refuse a jab, even though a) they are old and b) have underlaying health problems (such as a triple bypass). They really are in the cohort at serious risk of dying, following an infection with the virus. The 'orphans' say their parents are generally not especially familiar with IT and do not realise how it can be used to misinform as well as inform. They also don't appreciate that people can make a lot of money, by posting weird claims, if substantial numbers of people 'like' their posts. Elderly adherents cannot be easily talked out of their beliefs by being presented with 'facts'. Apparently, the best way to 'deprogramme' these 'silver surfers', is to start a dialogue, with the parties taking turns to say what is worrying them about the other's behaviour. There was a suggestion, in the programme, that Q-Anon 'beliefs', tap into biases that may already be there (preaching to the pre-converted?). Q-Anon looks like a cult, talks like a cult and gets its followers to place 'belief' ahead of facts. You know what they say about ducks?