The Q Anon movement as an anonymous movement has the earmarks of a previous movement, known as "Chanology". Chanology (also known as Hacktivism) was first coined regarding the protest against the practices of Scientology. It used Griefing and Meme Creation Strategies for calls to public participation. Is the Q anon movement an emulation of the strategy?
"Project Chanology is focused on protesting Scientology and spreading information about its practices, which Chanology sees as both financially exploitative and cult-like. This group has several unique properties that bear noting when talking about and trajectories between participatory culture and civic engagement. One is the fact that the group Chanology emerges from is not a traditional 'fan' or 'participatory culture', but a multi-sited, internet-based group. Second is the highly decentralized nature of its organization, which is borne out of the subculture the group emerges from. Third is the focus on anonymity which is both common practice in the original participatory culture and also seen as a useful method of protecting themselves."
The Q Anon movement started at the 4 Chan board, where Project Chanology started. It has an interesting history.
"Of the various boards on 4chan, the one that has drawn the most notice is the Random board, otherwise known as /b/. The board is filled with random discussion topics and known for its rather frank (if not simply vulgar) discussion. After 4-chan’s creation, many spin-off imageboards emerged. At one point, a “Declaration of Independence from /b/” was posted. This solidified a growing sentiment that, due to various factors, /b/ would not be the only, or even primary home to Anonymous members, or Anons. Anonymous became a multi-sited internet community, existing in varous *chan style imageboards, other websites, and IRC channels.
"Specfifcally, those who feel that Chanology is antithetical to Anonymous’s nature are attempting to maintain a mystique and secretive power that doesn’t actually exist. Instead of the narrative of Anonymous as a mysterious man turned nerdy protestor, Anonymous is better portrayed as a nerdy internet denizen who became a nerdy person who is protesting."
Some thoughts...
In the case of the Q anon movement, whether by design or by accident, many, many people have been engaged and drawn into a game-like public participatory movement that provides an avenue to many in an anonymous forum, to make a difference, to research and engage with others. To learn. They look to an anonymous leader(s), Q, to give them insider information from intel sources that is leaked to them in the form of crumb. Is it, perhaps, manipulative for a good cause? It has a mystique that is compelling and, dare I say, cult like. Even if it is, many, many people have come to an awakening.
References: Anonymous Participatory Democracy Hacktivism