How QAnon helps its followers find conspiracy in chaos

Are you familiar with the word "apophenia?" It's used to describe the extremely human behavior of finding patterns in chaos, sorting things into order even when no real structure exists. [View in browser]( [Image]( March 27, 2021 [An illustration of a blue and red grid with the letter Q and the number 17 repeated throughout] Are you familiar with the word "apophenia?" It's used to describe the extremely human behavior of finding patterns in chaos, sorting things into order even when no real structure exists. "It’s a motivator for gamblers who see patterns in their wins and losses — and stake ever higher amounts on their false perceptions; it's behind Bible code theological fads and the oeuvre of Dan Brown," Talia Lavin writes. "And over the past four years, a manic, messianic apophenia has been the driving force behind the QAnon movement." It's what keeps QAnon adherents constantly looking for the truth behind the next "clue" they've found, Lavin writes, and why even with Donald Trump out of office, they're still sure that there's one more revelation coming. If you know what you're looking for, at least. Read the full analysis at the top of your Saturday [MSNBC Daily.]( UNDERSTANDING THE NEWS [Alternate text] Top perspectives and analysis from our MSNBC columnists [Alternate text] [A photo of two police officers pinning a man to the ground while arresting him in the street]( [Jessica Levinson]( [SCOTUS just changed the game on how crooked cops can be prosecuted]( The conservative Supreme Court arguably broadened the ability to sue police officers for misconduct like use of excessive force. [Alternate text] [A black and white photo of a call covered in photos of different Black leaders and victims to and efforts against police brutality]( [Trymaine Lee]( [Black Americans are owed money. Evanston figured out a way to make it happen.]( Is Evanston's plan a good start? Or just too little to make a dent in the backpay owed to Black Americans? [Alternate text] [A photo of three people voting behind booths and a child waiting at their parent's feet.]( [Steve Benen]( [With Georgia imposing radical voting restrictions, what happens now?]( It couldn't be simpler: when democracy disappoints Republicans, the system itself becomes a target. WATCH NOW [Alternate text] [The ReidOut]( [Cory Booker calls new voting restrictions in Georgia 'a step towards authoritarianism']( [A photo of Rep. Cory Booker]( [Deadline White House]( [19 Republican senators patrolled the U.S.-Mexico border in armed boats]( [A photo of GOP senators on an armed boat patrolling the Rio Grande river along the TX-MX border]( [The Beat With Ari]( [Fox News hit with $1.6 billion lawsuit over election fraud claims]( [A photo of the Fox News logo reflected in a window]( [All In]( [Georgia governor offended that racist anti-voter law is being called racist]( [A photo of Georgia governor Brian Kemp signing new voter restrictions in his office]( LISTEN NOW [Alternate text] [Into America](Justice for Black Farmers Trymaine Lee takes a closer look at a provision in the $1.9 trillion Covid relief package that provides $5 billion in aid to Black and disadvantaged farmers. He talks to sugarcane farmer Eddie Lewis the Third and National Black Farmers Association President John Boyd about the provision and the history of discrimination that has made the funds necessary. MORE ON MSNBC [Alternate text] planyourvaccine.com One day before opening statements in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, Ari Melber breaks down the strategies of the prosecution and defense teams and what the outcome could mean for the future of policing. Watch “The Trial: The Killing of George Floyd with Ari Melber” tomorrow at 6 p.m. ET. planyourvaccine.com As the Covid-19 vaccine rolls out across the country, make a plan so you’ll be ready to get vaccinated when it’s your turn. Our interactive and personalized state-by-state guide has everything you need to help you figure out when and where to receive the vaccine. You can also sign up for customizable alerts to let you know when you are eligible to receive the shot in your state. Visit planyourvaccine.com, or use your phone to scan the QR code to be taken right to the site. Tell us what you think. [Drop us an e-mail.](mailto:msnbc.digital.editors@nbcuni.com?subject=MSNBC Daily) Were you forwarded this email from a friend? [Subscribe to the MSNBC Daily here](. Follow MSNBC [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [YouTube]( [LinkedIn]( Check out the MSNBC channel on Apple News Download the NBC News Mobile App and watch MSNBC [Listen live to MSNBC on TuneIn]( [Image] [Image] [Privacy]( [Unsubscribe](listvar=sub_daily)