Cult or Just Weird

Cult or Just Weird

By Cult Or Just WeirdComedySociety & Culture
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Cult or Just Weird episodes

  • S3E6 - The Instructors (Zumba, pt2)

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    ---

    It's a societal thing, not a Zumba thing.

    Kayla finally reveals the shockingly large full extent of Zumba's power and influence.

    ---

    *Search Categories*

    Business; Common Interest / Fandom; Alt Medicine / Wellness

    ---

    *Topic Spoiler*

    Zumba, part 2

    ---

    *Further Reading*

    https://www.inc.com/magazine/201212/leigh-buchanan/zumba-fitness-company-of-the-year-2012.html#:~:text=Based%20in%20an%20upscale%20shopping,does%20not%20release%20revenue%20figures.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/17/world/middleeast/iran-zumba-haram.html

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zumba#Origin

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beto_P%C3%A9rez#Personal_life

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberto_Perlman

    https://www.zumba.com/en-US/member-benefits

    https://www.zumba.com/en-US/trainings/zumbini

    https://www.reddit.com/r/antiMLM/comments/8b9bqs/where_do_things_like_zumba_fit_in/

    https://qz.com/1085406/inside-the-cult-of-zumba-a-perfect-world-of-modern-make-believe/

    https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Employee-Review-Zumba-Fitness-RVW12301369.htm

    https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/healthy-living/zumba-you-get-fit-they-get-rich-8106992.html

    https://hubpages.com/health/forum/197282/is-zumba-a-scam

    https://insurefitness.com/how-to-become-a-zumba-instructor/

    https://www.zumba.vacations/pricing/

    https://cruisefever.net/zumba-cruise-back-3rd-year-due-high-demand/

    https://www.zumba.com/en-US/member-benefits

    https://zlife.zumba.com/why-dancing-saved-my-life/

    https://www.livinglutheran.org/2015/01/zumba-evangelism/

    https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/6730/4-bold-leadership-moves-zumba-can-teach-the-church

    https://www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org/is-zumba-really-okay-for-christians-weigh-in/

    ---

    *Patreon Credits*

    initiates: Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Anna Krasner

    cultists: Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Alyssa Ottum, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander, Kelly Smith Upton, Zero Serres, Nancy Carlson

    1 hr 16 min
  • S3E5 - The Dancers (Zumba, pt1)

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    ---

    Ditch the workout. Join the party.

    Kayla and Chris dance their way into the beginnings of yet another wellness-based movement.

    ---

    *Search Categories*

    Business; Common Interest / Fandom; Alt Medicine / Wellness

    ---

    *Topic Spoiler*

    Zumba, part 1

    ---

    *Further Reading*

    https://www.inc.com/magazine/201212/leigh-buchanan/zumba-fitness-company-of-the-year-2012.html#:~:text=Based%20in%20an%20upscale%20shopping,does%20not%20release%20revenue%20figures.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/17/world/middleeast/iran-zumba-haram.html

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zumba#Origin

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beto_P%C3%A9rez#Personal_life

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberto_Perlman

    https://www.zumba.com/en-US/member-benefits

    https://www.zumba.com/en-US/trainings/zumbini

    https://www.reddit.com/r/antiMLM/comments/8b9bqs/where_do_things_like_zumba_fit_in/

    https://qz.com/1085406/inside-the-cult-of-zumba-a-perfect-world-of-modern-make-believe/

    https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Employee-Review-Zumba-Fitness-RVW12301369.htm

    https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/healthy-living/zumba-you-get-fit-they-get-rich-8106992.html

    https://hubpages.com/health/forum/197282/is-zumba-a-scam

    https://insurefitness.com/how-to-become-a-zumba-instructor/

    ---

    *Patreon Credits*

    initiates: Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Anna Krasner

    cultists: Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Alyssa Ottum, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander, Kelly Smith Upton, Zero Serres

    1 hr 22 min
  • S3E4 - The Architects (the Tartarian Empire)

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    Come join us on discord!

    ---

    We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.

    Chris takes us on a journey to a land that is simultaneously far away, yet near, ancient, yet brand new.

    **many thanks to Zach Mortice (www.zachmortice.com) for lending his energy & insights for this episode!**

    ---

    *Search Categories*

    Anthropological; Common Interest/Fandom; Conspiracy Theory

    ---

    *Topic Spoiler*

    The Tartarian Empire

    ---

    *Further Reading*

    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-04-27/inside-architecture-s-wildest-conspiracy-theory

    http://zachmortice.com/

    https://twitter.com/cinemashoebox/status/1339956378912350214

    https://www.reddit.com/r/badhistory/comments/ieg2k0/tartaria_the_supposed_megaempire_of_inner_eurasia/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_architectural_styles

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Empire_architecture_in_the_United_States_and_Canada

    https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%205-y&geo=US&q=tartaria

    https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4765

    https://www.quora.com/Why-do-so-many-old-buildings-have-half-buried-windows-Also-I-have-seen-some-old-excavations-that-have-levels-that-are-underground-complete-with-windows-and-doors-Why

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_Columbian_Exposition

    https://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/architecture-dictionary/entry/worlds-columbian-exposition-of-1893/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama%E2%80%93Pacific_International_Exposition

    https://www.desmoinesregister.com/picture-gallery/news/2015/10/02/from-the-archives-historic-photos-of-the-iowa-state-capitol/28360153/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_State_Capitol

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singer_Building

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_City_Hall

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Federal_Building

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartary

    https://www.historytoday.com/archive/treaty-tilsit

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_invasion_of_Russia

    Henceforth begins the pro-Tartaria literature:

    https://www.reddit.com/r/Tartaria/

    https://www.reddit.com/r/tartarianarchitecture/

    https://www.reddit.com/r/CulturalLayer/

    https://stolenhistory.org/resources/the-one-world-tartarians-by-james-w-lee.30/

    https://www.youtube.com/c/BushwhackingTartariawithBerserkerBear/playlists

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_dHMV6umCs

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6HFPNdewsk

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyYyjkdDuws

    ---

    *Patreon Credits*

    initiates: Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Anna Krasner

    cultists: Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Alyssa Ottum, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander, Kelly Smith Upton, Zero Serres

    2 hr 48 min
  • S3E3 - The Desire (the Nugget couch)

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    ---

    When you tell people they can't have something it makes them want it more.

    Kayla takes Chris down the rabbit hole on a topic that's been dubbed "The Supreme Drop for Moms."

    ---

    *Search Categories*

    Business; Internet culture

    ---

    *Topic Spoiler*

    The Nugget couch

    ---

    *Further Reading*

    https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/katienotopoulos/nugget-couch

    https://nuggetcomfort.com/pages/faq-product-details

    https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/what-is-the-nugget-couch-the-cult-favorite-and-controversial-sensation-taking-over-tiktok/ar-BB1cZXrp

    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/842720634/nugget-the-easiest-couch-ever

    https://themodernmindfulmom.com/nugget-after-dark/

    https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2021/02/10254737/nugget-after-dark-tiktok

    https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-11-10/nugget-comfort-couch-kids-parents-shortage-lottery

    https://www.liberator.com/wedge.html

    https://www.todaysparent.com/blogs/trending/comfort-nugget-couch/

    https://www.webmd.com/sex/sex-pillow

    ---

    *Patreon Credits*

    initiates: Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach

    cultists: Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Alyssa Ottum, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander, Kelly Smith Upton

    1 hr 15 min
  • S3E2 - The Immunity (Antivax)

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    ---

    Out of an abundance of caution, we are making this podcast.

    Chris doesn't hesitate to take us on the longest CoJW episode journey yet, into the movement(s) that oppose all that science we set up in the previous episode.

    ---

    *Search Categories*

    Science / Pseudoscience; Anthropological; Destructive; Conspiracy Theory; Alt Medicine / Wellness

    ---

    *Topic Spoiler*

    Antivax & Vaccine Hesitancy

    ---

    *Further Reading*

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox_vaccine

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variolation

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Advisory_Committee_on_Vaccine_Safety

    https://www.amazon.com/Anti-vaxxers-How-Challenge-Misinformed-Movement/dp/0262539322

    https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500(20)30227-2/fulltext

    https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(19)30092-6/fulltext

    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2281-1

    https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02671-0

    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-20226-9

    great explanation of herd immunity

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine_hesitancy

    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321207

    https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/the-influence-of-the-anti-vaccine-movement

    https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m2184

    https://www.spectrumnews.org/opinion/how-anti-vaccine-activists-are-using-covid-19-to-boost-their-movement/

    https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/23/health/anti-vaccination-movement-us.html

    https://ftp.historyofvaccines.org/content/articles/history-anti-vaccination-movements

    https://www.historyofvaccines.org/timeline/all

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6515949/

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6122668/

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5355208/

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1200696/

    https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/vaccine-hesitancy-escalating-danger-africa

    https://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-is-the-most-anti-vaxxer-country-in-the-world-2019-06-19

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/31/covid-france-pandering-to-anti-vaxxers-with-slow-vaccine-rollout

    https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/peteraldhous/global-survey-vaccine-safety-measles-outbreaks

    https://globalhealth.duke.edu/news/many-faces-vaccine-hesitancy

    https://hbr.org/2021/01/to-overcome-vaccine-hesitancy-we-need-a-better-patient-experience

    https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/the-long-history-of-americas-anti-vaccination-movement

    https://www.codastory.com/waronscience/history-global-anti-vaxxer-movement/

    https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/why-vaccinate/vaccine-decision.html

    https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fact-or-fiction-vaccines-are-dangerous/

    https://www.publichealth.org/public-awareness/understanding-vaccines/vaccine-myths-debunked/

    https://www.historyofvaccines.org/content/articles/vaccine-side-effects-and-adverse-events

    https://www.healthline.com/health/vaccinations/immunization-complications

    https://www.npr.org/2021/01/01/952716705/some-health-care-workers-are-hesitant-about-getting-covid-19-vaccines

    https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/12/24/948776228/trusted-messengers-trusted-messages-how-to-overcome-vaccine-hesitancy

    https://www.contagionlive.com/view/misinformation-is-a-public-health-threat-without-easy-cures

    https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/08/tech/instagram-vaccine-misinformation/index.html

    https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/05/vaccines-dna-23andme/589915/

    https://jezebel.com/heres-a-fairly-comprehensive-list-of-anti-vaccination-c-1714760128

    https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/treat-it-like-terrorism-how-to-stop-anti-vaccine-propaganda_uk_6048a816c5b636ed3377281f

    https://www.who.int/vaccine_safety/committee/topics/adjuvants/Jun_2012/en/

    https://www.who.int/vaccine_safety/committee/topics/aluminium/statement_112002/en/

    https://www.obgproject.com/2017/10/03/aluminum-vaccine-safety-evidence/

    https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/move-over-christopher-shaw-theres-a-new-antivaccine-scientist-in-town/

    https://respectfulinsolence.com/2017/09/21/torturing-more-mice-in-the-name-of-antivaccine-pseudoscience-2017-aluminum-edition/

    https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/claudiakoerner/autism-anti-vax-misinformation-spread-measles-cures

    https://autisticadvocacy.org/2017/02/autism-and-the-disability-community-the-politics-of-neurodiversity-causation-and-cure/

    https://www.newsweek.com/i-have-autism-anti-vaxx-offesive-wakefield-1444538

    ---

    *Patreon Credits*

    initiates: Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach

    cultists: Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Alyssa Ottum, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander, Kelly Smith Upton

    3 hr 55 min
  • S3E1 - The Herd (Vaccine Science & History)

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    Come join us on discord!

    ---

    Our greatest responsibility is to be good ancestors.

    In the first episode of CoJW's third season, Chris sets up the science and history behind a movement that has been in the global conversation lately.

    ---

    *Search Categories*

    Science / Pseudoscience; Anthropological; Destructive; Conspiracy Theory; Alt Medicine / Wellness

    ---

    *Topic Spoiler*

    Vaccine Science & History

    ---

    *Further Reading*

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox_vaccine

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variolation

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Advisory_Committee_on_Vaccine_Safety

    https://www.amazon.com/Anti-vaxxers-How-Challenge-Misinformed-Movement/dp/0262539322

    https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500(20)30227-2/fulltext

    https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(19)30092-6/fulltext

    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2281-1

    https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02671-0

    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-20226-9

    great explanation of herd immunity

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine_hesitancy

    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321207

    https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/the-influence-of-the-anti-vaccine-movement

    https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m2184

    https://www.spectrumnews.org/opinion/how-anti-vaccine-activists-are-using-covid-19-to-boost-their-movement/

    https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/23/health/anti-vaccination-movement-us.html

    https://ftp.historyofvaccines.org/content/articles/history-anti-vaccination-movements

    https://www.historyofvaccines.org/timeline/all

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6515949/

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6122668/

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5355208/

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1200696/

    https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/vaccine-hesitancy-escalating-danger-africa

    https://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-is-the-most-anti-vaxxer-country-in-the-world-2019-06-19

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/31/covid-france-pandering-to-anti-vaxxers-with-slow-vaccine-rollout

    https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/peteraldhous/global-survey-vaccine-safety-measles-outbreaks

    https://globalhealth.duke.edu/news/many-faces-vaccine-hesitancy

    https://hbr.org/2021/01/to-overcome-vaccine-hesitancy-we-need-a-better-patient-experience

    https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/the-long-history-of-americas-anti-vaccination-movement

    https://www.codastory.com/waronscience/history-global-anti-vaxxer-movement/

    https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/why-vaccinate/vaccine-decision.html

    https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fact-or-fiction-vaccines-are-dangerous/

    https://www.publichealth.org/public-awareness/understanding-vaccines/vaccine-myths-debunked/

    https://www.historyofvaccines.org/content/articles/vaccine-side-effects-and-adverse-events

    https://www.healthline.com/health/vaccinations/immunization-complications

    https://www.npr.org/2021/01/01/952716705/some-health-care-workers-are-hesitant-about-getting-covid-19-vaccines

    https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/12/24/948776228/trusted-messengers-trusted-messages-how-to-overcome-vaccine-hesitancy

    https://www.contagionlive.com/view/misinformation-is-a-public-health-threat-without-easy-cures

    https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/08/tech/instagram-vaccine-misinformation/index.html

    https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/05/vaccines-dna-23andme/589915/

    https://jezebel.com/heres-a-fairly-comprehensive-list-of-anti-vaccination-c-1714760128

    https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/treat-it-like-terrorism-how-to-stop-anti-vaccine-propaganda_uk_6048a816c5b636ed3377281f

    https://www.who.int/vaccine_safety/committee/topics/adjuvants/Jun_2012/en/

    https://www.who.int/vaccine_safety/committee/topics/aluminium/statement_112002/en/

    https://www.obgproject.com/2017/10/03/aluminum-vaccine-safety-evidence/

    https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/move-over-christopher-shaw-theres-a-new-antivaccine-scientist-in-town/

    https://respectfulinsolence.com/2017/09/21/torturing-more-mice-in-the-name-of-antivaccine-pseudoscience-2017-aluminum-edition/

    ---

    *Patreon Credits*

    initiates: Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach

    cultists: Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Alyssa Ottum, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H, Jessica Senk, Proper Gander

    2 hr 3 min
  • Arthur

    *PLEASE BE ADVISED*

    THIS IS *NOT* AN EPISODE OF CULT OR JUST WEIRD

    This is a personal story, told over the medium of a podcast... and OPTIONALLY (we can't stress this enough) to the audience of our podcast. Content warnings below.

    .

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    .

    .

    Content warnings for:

    -health/hospital trauma

    -pregnancy & infant loss

    Arthur's wish is that you leave it better than you found it. There are many ways to do this; if you so desire, one of these ways is through the March of Dimes:

    https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/in-memory-of-arthur

    Arthur Scipio Dobson-Carlson

    Dec 21 2020 - Dec 23 2020

    ---

    Music provided by staticinverona/Twelve O'Clock (Instrumental)/Tribe of Noise

    40 min
  • S2E20 - The Crusaders: Resolve (QAnon, pt 5: tie up & words of resilience)

    Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

    Come join us on discord!

    ---

    It is because of hope that we suffer. It is through hope that we change things.

    In the fifth and final CoJW-does-QAnon episode, Chris and Kayla cover a few things they haven't yet, tie up some loose ends, and (hopefully) plant a small seed of hope.

    ---

    *Search Categories*

    Anthropological; Internet culture; Common interest / Fandom; Destructive; Conspiracy Theory

    ---

    *Topic Spoiler*

    QAnon, pt 5: Tie up & words of resilience

    ---

    *Further Reading*

    https://networkcontagion.us/reports/the-qanon-conspiracy-destroying-families-dividing-communities-undermining-democracy/

    https://ctc.usma.edu/the-qanon-conspiracy-theory-a-security-threat-in-the-making/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Punic_War

    https://www.realmofhistory.com/2016/06/07/10-facts-battle-of-cannae/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cannae

    https://www.vice.com/en/article/93wq73/conspirituality-explains-why-the-wellness-world-fell-for-qanon

    https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/qanon-pastel-antivax-natural-parenting-community-freebirth-1098518/

    https://medium.com/age-of-awareness/barbara-marx-hubbard-and-the-evolutionary-leaders-cc827d635bb1

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainwashing

    https://news.psu.edu/story/141191/2009/11/03/research/probing-question-does-brainwashing-exist

    https://theconversation.com/the-brainwashing-myth-99272

    https://theconversation.com/how-to-talk-someone-out-of-a-damaging-cult-68930

    https://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics/a34416177/how-to-help-friend-qanon-conspiracy-theories/

    https://www.ucf.edu/pegasus/life-after-hate/

    https://polarisproject.org/

    https://www.missingkids.org/

    The "is it a Russian psyop? YOU decide!" link section:

    https://www.wired.com/story/qanon-deploys-information-warfare-influence-2020-election/

    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-qanon-russia/russian-backed-organizations-amplifying-qanon-conspiracy-theories-researchers-say-idUSKBN25K13T

    https://www.ft.com/video/372cac40-0f6f-498b-8c19-7b635142296e

    https://blog.usejournal.com/qanon-is-propaganda-and-we-know-whos-responsible-faa133fb6acd

    ---

    *Patreon Credits*

    initiates: Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach

    cultists: Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Alyssa Ottum, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H

    2 hr 20 min
  • S2E19 - The Crusaders: Casualties (QAnon, pt 4: friends, family, and ex-members)

    Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out?

    Come join us on discord!

    ---

    People are hurting.

    In the fourth installment of Cult or Just Weird's QAnon deep dive, we hear from real people whose lives and loved ones have been affected by the grip of the online conspiracy.

    Content warning for this episode: emotional/interpersonal trauma.

    Special thanks to reddit community members from QAnon Casualties, and to ex-Q Jitarth Jadeja (https://twitter.com/JitarthJadeja) for sitting down with Chris this episode and sharing their insights and very personal stories.

    ---

    *Search Categories*

    Anthropological; Internet culture; Common interest / Fandom; Destructive; Conspiracy Theory

    ---

    *Topic Spoiler*

    QAnon, pt 4: Affected friends, family, and ex-members

    ---

    *Further Reading*

    https://www.reddit.com/r/QAnonCasualties/

    https://www.reddit.com/r/ReQovery/

    https://www.patreon.com/cultorjustweird (for full length interviews & transcripts with QAnonCasualties folks)

    https://www.dailydot.com/debug/reddit-qanon-casualties/

    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/23/qanon-conspiracy-theories-loved-ones

    https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/qanon-conspiracy-theory-donald-trump-breitbart-us-election-b742607.html

    https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/16/tech/qanon-believer-how-he-got-out/index.html

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/10/24/qanon-believer-conspiracy-theory/

    https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/ex-qanon-followers-cult-conspiracy-theory-pizzagate-1064076/

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2020/10/23/fell-terrifying-conspiracy-theory-wormhole-youtube/

    https://www.wbur.org/endlessthread/2020/10/02/qanon-casualties-conspiracy-theory

    the following two links are good starting points for understanding more about the 2016 DNC Email situation:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Democratic_National_Committee_email_leak

    https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/11/2/16599036/donna-brazile-hillary-clinton-sanders

    Jitarth's "You guys were right" reddit post:

    https://old.reddit.com/r/Qult_Headquarters/comments/c045jw/you_guys_were_right/

    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1970605/ (sorry, we had to... it came up in the interview!)

    ---

    *Patreon Credits*

    initiates: Michaela Evans

    cultists: Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Alyssa Ottum, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer, Fio H

    3 hr 22 min
  • S2E18 - The Crusaders: Apophenia (pt3: QAnon as alternate reality game)

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    Come join us on discord!

    ---

    This Is Not A Game.

    In part three of the five part COJW series on QAnon, Chris takes a hard look at the human psychology behind game mechanics, and what makes QAnon research so engaging.

    Special thanks to ARG game designer & Zombies Run! creator Adrian Hon (https://twitter.com/adrianhon) for sitting down with Chris this episode and sharing his thoughts on QAnon and game design!

    ---

    *Search Categories*

    Anthropological; Internet culture; Common interest / Fandom; Destructive; Conspiracy Theory

    ---

    *Topic Spoiler*

    QAnon, pt 3: QAnon as alternate reality game

    ---

    *Further Reading*

    https://mssv.net/2020/08/02/what-args-can-teach-us-about-qanon/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternate_reality_game

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_alternate_reality_games

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_alternate_reality_games

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beast_(game)

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/08/07/qanon-isnt-just-conspiracy-theory-its-highly-effective-game/

    https://www.wired.com/story/qanon-most-dangerous-multiplatform-game/

    https://medium.com/curiouserinstitute/a-game-designers-analysis-of-qanon-580972548be5

    https://www.axios.com/qanon-video-game-cbbacb1e-969c-4f07-93cd-69e41bc6feeb.html

    https://danhon.substack.com/p/qanon-looks-like-an-alternate-reality

    https://limn.it/articles/the-illicit-aura-of-information/

    https://reallifemag.com/the-apophenic-machine/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistolary_novel

    ---

    *Patreon Credits*

    initiates: Michaela Evans

    cultists: Rebecca Kirsch, Pam Westergard, Alyssa Ottum, Ryan Quinn, Paul Sweeney, Erin Bratu, Liz T, Lianne Cole, Samantha Bayliff, Katie Larimer

    1 hr 55 min

About Cult or Just Weird

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Join Chris & Kayla on their journeys of humor, discovery, and the absurd as they try to answer the question...