Yes, the merging of social advocacy with celebrity culture and media careers has been a disaster. There's always an incentive danger with professionalizing this field because when people's careers depend on a problem continuing to exist, there's an obvious conflict of interest. But by fusing celebrity and media with social advocacy, the worst types of narcissists and their supporters have become too dominant. The same problem is also seen in social "anti-advocacy," with the anti-woke crowd being led by Hollywood failures (Rufo, Shapiro, Walsh) and everyone fighting to carve out their own territory in the media landscape.
This is a great article and brings a lot of clarity to the SPTV movement. I was In Scientology for 35 years and I have written 3 books on the subject, telling my story and also deconstructing Scientology’s control mechanisms. I have appeared on may of the SPTV channels as a guest but have tried to stay out of the fray, which I consider counterproductive at best. I appreciate your take on the SPTV evolution and I think all involved with SPTV should read it.
I am working on something similar, but with a slightly different focus. Great article, covers ground I am not going over as I was never a "fan" of the SPTV community.
If you check my substack (not much on there, I have a blog on my own website and I just get kinda lazy and forget to crosspost lol) you'll find an article about Smith-Levin from March of 2023 which got me largely exiled from the anti-scientology community. I was even accused of being an agent of the Operation Of Special Affairs. Thankfully, members of Aftermath have come around and we've actually become friendly since the events of late November.
Excellent article. I have a rare position. I have 50 years of experience as a composer working in the field of marketing. And until I left Scientology in 2012 I was effectively supporting the cult through their marketing arm. I have first hand experience with how propaganda and media personalities work.
I’ve worked with many celebrities. I understand manipulation as opposed to truth. Monia hits the nail on the head in a very objective dissertation. I hope that the distraction of click hungry social media celebrities is mitigated in favor of cooperation to continue to expose Scientology’s abuses and fraudulent activities.
This has been sad. Somewhere along the line, Rinder has been determined by the SPTV community to have been a war criminal in hiding who should have been sentenced and executed long ago. I admit to finding it convenient that he becomes a target for his generation ago bad acts right after he and the board at AMF removed Aaron Smith-Levin for his constantly embarrassing behavior while representing the movement. A-Aron is the wanna be Joe Rogan of the SPTV world.
I watch a lot of the SPTV people, and i've never heard anyone demonize Mike Rinder. I've seen them be grateful for the great things he's done. But they seem to me to be baffled by his recent behavior, and wish he would correct course.
This article, while well written and clearly long thought out leaves me feeling honestly flabbergasted.
#1 understood about the nature of Discord, that you as a participant are meant to scroll through all the thread to find out the story so it doesn’t have to be “repeated” causing problems. And “new people demanding answers” are not appreciated. However, the content of the conversations even with out those apparent slights to their sensibility are grotesque at best. Calling for the delight in destruction of all Second Gen’s, mocking content they have t even watched. Creating their own factions of loyalty etc, it’s exactly what you are describing of the “Drama channels” outside of it.
While you admit that “no executive has clean hands” but then brush that off by saying that public accountability will never happen, seems to excuse the actual trauma caused by the people involved.
Since I am assuming, and correct me if I am wrong, that you never suffered at the hands of Scientology or any single one of these former executives you are basing your own conclusions on only their public behavior to the YT and television audience? How then, without the knowledge or experience of having lived through any of that, or continuing to experience the tactics of Scientology being played out on you in this public arena by those supposed “Ex” executives could you make that conclusion? Especially without talking to anyone on this perceived “other side” you are referencing?
Be happy that you have never been on the receiving end of a Sea Org reprimand. And keep the rainbow thoughts about Mike Rinder close to your heart. Because this fight is about making sure that the PERPETRATORS of the crimes face justice.
Scientology is an organization. It’s a name on a building. The people inside doing these actions, DIRECTING the crimes are the ones that need to be held accountable for those ACTIONS. Some people hanging OUTSIDE those buildings talking about crimes that “Scientology” did don’t want any of us to remember that THEY were the PEOPLE who did those crimes, not a group, not a building.
So when I said in your Mirriam video on Youtube that this was always about attacking Mike and you said I "missed the entire point" I really didn't did I? I told you I didn't miss the point that it wasn't t get justice against Scientology that you wanted but getting it from those who were in power (ie Mike Rinder if nobody else was available).
Like here, you blew me off as someone who didn't know "the facts" as if you knew what I knew and didn't know about anything in this world. I'll tell you I'm not a scientologist and have never been one. I took an interest in the topic of cults several years ago and have paid attention when I could, so have the basics down.
You want revenge from Mike because you can't get revenge from Scientology and I told you that was clear. From this reply you've confirmed it. You are eating your own to get some sort of satisfaction and that is sad.
Mike has tried and appears to continue to try to make amends for his past actions by being a positive force for your movement, but that's not enough for you. You seek blood which again is sad.
Mike had every right to respond the way he did. He was CLEARLY being attacked and he's human with the same emotions as you and I. The attack was clear and not in the slightest hidden. As I said, those 16 questions' were just the beginning and I was right. You all now smell blood in the waters and are converging. Of course he'll lash out to defend himself from you idiots. He's not lashing out because he was once COS/OSA, he's defending because he's human. I'd do the same with no prior connections to the cult at all. He has the right to defend himself against you misguided fools.
I think this has more to do with Aaron and your group loyalty than any justice for Mirriam. There's blood in the water and for some reason you have a need to circle your prey and attack. on Mirriam AND Aaron's behalf.
This article by the OP of this page appears to see it clearly, as do I. You have internal anger that you've yet to resolve and are now lashing out at those who were allies in your battles.
Ummmm my response is to the author. Is that you? I don’t know exactly what you’re on about. My message is clear. My live was clear. Please go and look at what I actually say about the whole thing. Attacking Mike is t what’s happening. Stating facts about his involvement and WHY he’s acting the way he is is just reality. If he wants that to change then he should change his behavior.
This sounds a lot like gatekeeping, telling protesters and activists that they're not doing it right. Protest and activism can take many different forms, and we get nowhere when we police how others take action. It also stinks of Martin Luther King's 'beware the white moderate'. Look it up.
so a few issues with your premise/argument here, imo. 1) ALL history is narrative (just a matter of whose) & 2) i would argue that true accountability & transparency can ONLY happen in the public sphere. otherwise, it's not transparency..?
Yes, the merging of social advocacy with celebrity culture and media careers has been a disaster. There's always an incentive danger with professionalizing this field because when people's careers depend on a problem continuing to exist, there's an obvious conflict of interest. But by fusing celebrity and media with social advocacy, the worst types of narcissists and their supporters have become too dominant. The same problem is also seen in social "anti-advocacy," with the anti-woke crowd being led by Hollywood failures (Rufo, Shapiro, Walsh) and everyone fighting to carve out their own territory in the media landscape.
This is a great article and brings a lot of clarity to the SPTV movement. I was In Scientology for 35 years and I have written 3 books on the subject, telling my story and also deconstructing Scientology’s control mechanisms. I have appeared on may of the SPTV channels as a guest but have tried to stay out of the fray, which I consider counterproductive at best. I appreciate your take on the SPTV evolution and I think all involved with SPTV should read it.
Thank you!
I am working on something similar, but with a slightly different focus. Great article, covers ground I am not going over as I was never a "fan" of the SPTV community.
If you check my substack (not much on there, I have a blog on my own website and I just get kinda lazy and forget to crosspost lol) you'll find an article about Smith-Levin from March of 2023 which got me largely exiled from the anti-scientology community. I was even accused of being an agent of the Operation Of Special Affairs. Thankfully, members of Aftermath have come around and we've actually become friendly since the events of late November.
Feel free to reach out!
Great article
Excellent article. I have a rare position. I have 50 years of experience as a composer working in the field of marketing. And until I left Scientology in 2012 I was effectively supporting the cult through their marketing arm. I have first hand experience with how propaganda and media personalities work.
I’ve worked with many celebrities. I understand manipulation as opposed to truth. Monia hits the nail on the head in a very objective dissertation. I hope that the distraction of click hungry social media celebrities is mitigated in favor of cooperation to continue to expose Scientology’s abuses and fraudulent activities.
Thank you, Geoff.
I put off publishing this for a long time because the last thing I wanted was to risk adding to the fraught atmosphere, so I'm glad it resonates.
This has been sad. Somewhere along the line, Rinder has been determined by the SPTV community to have been a war criminal in hiding who should have been sentenced and executed long ago. I admit to finding it convenient that he becomes a target for his generation ago bad acts right after he and the board at AMF removed Aaron Smith-Levin for his constantly embarrassing behavior while representing the movement. A-Aron is the wanna be Joe Rogan of the SPTV world.
I watch a lot of the SPTV people, and i've never heard anyone demonize Mike Rinder. I've seen them be grateful for the great things he's done. But they seem to me to be baffled by his recent behavior, and wish he would correct course.
Thanks for this!
Excellent!
Brilliant
I am trying think of where to begin here.
This article, while well written and clearly long thought out leaves me feeling honestly flabbergasted.
#1 understood about the nature of Discord, that you as a participant are meant to scroll through all the thread to find out the story so it doesn’t have to be “repeated” causing problems. And “new people demanding answers” are not appreciated. However, the content of the conversations even with out those apparent slights to their sensibility are grotesque at best. Calling for the delight in destruction of all Second Gen’s, mocking content they have t even watched. Creating their own factions of loyalty etc, it’s exactly what you are describing of the “Drama channels” outside of it.
While you admit that “no executive has clean hands” but then brush that off by saying that public accountability will never happen, seems to excuse the actual trauma caused by the people involved.
Since I am assuming, and correct me if I am wrong, that you never suffered at the hands of Scientology or any single one of these former executives you are basing your own conclusions on only their public behavior to the YT and television audience? How then, without the knowledge or experience of having lived through any of that, or continuing to experience the tactics of Scientology being played out on you in this public arena by those supposed “Ex” executives could you make that conclusion? Especially without talking to anyone on this perceived “other side” you are referencing?
Be happy that you have never been on the receiving end of a Sea Org reprimand. And keep the rainbow thoughts about Mike Rinder close to your heart. Because this fight is about making sure that the PERPETRATORS of the crimes face justice.
Scientology is an organization. It’s a name on a building. The people inside doing these actions, DIRECTING the crimes are the ones that need to be held accountable for those ACTIONS. Some people hanging OUTSIDE those buildings talking about crimes that “Scientology” did don’t want any of us to remember that THEY were the PEOPLE who did those crimes, not a group, not a building.
That’s what we’re talking about.
So when I said in your Mirriam video on Youtube that this was always about attacking Mike and you said I "missed the entire point" I really didn't did I? I told you I didn't miss the point that it wasn't t get justice against Scientology that you wanted but getting it from those who were in power (ie Mike Rinder if nobody else was available).
Like here, you blew me off as someone who didn't know "the facts" as if you knew what I knew and didn't know about anything in this world. I'll tell you I'm not a scientologist and have never been one. I took an interest in the topic of cults several years ago and have paid attention when I could, so have the basics down.
You want revenge from Mike because you can't get revenge from Scientology and I told you that was clear. From this reply you've confirmed it. You are eating your own to get some sort of satisfaction and that is sad.
Mike has tried and appears to continue to try to make amends for his past actions by being a positive force for your movement, but that's not enough for you. You seek blood which again is sad.
Mike had every right to respond the way he did. He was CLEARLY being attacked and he's human with the same emotions as you and I. The attack was clear and not in the slightest hidden. As I said, those 16 questions' were just the beginning and I was right. You all now smell blood in the waters and are converging. Of course he'll lash out to defend himself from you idiots. He's not lashing out because he was once COS/OSA, he's defending because he's human. I'd do the same with no prior connections to the cult at all. He has the right to defend himself against you misguided fools.
I think this has more to do with Aaron and your group loyalty than any justice for Mirriam. There's blood in the water and for some reason you have a need to circle your prey and attack. on Mirriam AND Aaron's behalf.
This article by the OP of this page appears to see it clearly, as do I. You have internal anger that you've yet to resolve and are now lashing out at those who were allies in your battles.
Which is again... sad..
Ummmm my response is to the author. Is that you? I don’t know exactly what you’re on about. My message is clear. My live was clear. Please go and look at what I actually say about the whole thing. Attacking Mike is t what’s happening. Stating facts about his involvement and WHY he’s acting the way he is is just reality. If he wants that to change then he should change his behavior.
I really hope Mike, Claire, Marc, Amy and Mat are able to reconcile with Aaron. Chris as well!!
A lot of viewers would really like to see that, and division only helps OSA.
“Reunion shows” or “unity chats” content would also IMO be a great way to increase views and subs.
This sounds a lot like gatekeeping, telling protesters and activists that they're not doing it right. Protest and activism can take many different forms, and we get nowhere when we police how others take action. It also stinks of Martin Luther King's 'beware the white moderate'. Look it up.
so a few issues with your premise/argument here, imo. 1) ALL history is narrative (just a matter of whose) & 2) i would argue that true accountability & transparency can ONLY happen in the public sphere. otherwise, it's not transparency..?